News Clips
Revcycle Intelligence: (2/9) - A new report by Xtelligent Healthcare Media found that large provider organizations and hospitals are better equipped for value-based care contracting compared to small, non-affiliated physician practices. Lower participation rates for small practices are largely due to access to fewer resources, smaller patient populations, and lack of bandwidth to take on value-based arrangements.
Healthcare Innovation: (2/9) – A Commonwealth Fund task force recently developed a list of six health care imperatives to guide the thinking of the Biden Administration on how to improve the performance of the health care system. Among those imperatives included strengthening efficient primary care infrastructure in the US and restructuring how primary care providers are reimbursed.
Health Payer Intelligence: (2/9) – The Value-Based Care Assessment: 2020 by Xtelligent Healthcare Media found that value-based contracting has slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of respondents surveyed, several noted the challenges and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic that have shifted their focus away from transitioning to value-based care models, with 49 percent believing it will take a year for patient volume to stabilize and another 50 percent saying the same of operational performance.
Fierce Healthcare: (2/9) - A new policy brief by the Urban Institute found that primary care practices showed nimbleness during the pandemic by quickly shifting to telehealth services to deliver care. The brief outlined, however, that many practices will need ongoing, targeted federal funding to support providers beyond the pandemic. Some practices also indicated a new willingness to enter into capitation payment arrangements with payers to avoid financial uncertainties of a fee-for-service system.
Fierce Healthcare: (2/8) - The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated provider and patient adoption of remote health capabilities such as telehealth that have changed the patient experience and led to improved outcomes, enabling the next generation of value-based arrangements. Technological advancements can incorporate the patient experience and lead to innovative value-based arrangements. One such example is with value-based arrangements that act as a vehicle tying value to a therapy based on outcomes rather than cost.
Fierce Healthcare: (2/5) - In response to CMS results on the Medicare Shared Savings Program for 2019, Caravan Health asked the ACOs it advises if ACOs can continue the pattern of success observed in 2019 moving forward given the financial struggle practices have faced during COVID-19. Responses indicated that the ability to adapt to the changing landscape and implement new structures were key to the success of ACOs in navigating the pandemic in three critical ways: streamlined transition to telehealth, better analytics and improved patient engagement.
Health Payer Intelligence: (2/4) - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina introduced a value-based care program to improve health outcomes for members with kidney disease through coordinated and patient-centered care. The initiative allows members to enroll in the Blue Premier Advanced Kidney Care program at no additional cost, and will pay providers for the total cost of care and quality performance measures under the model.
Healthcare Innovation: (2/4) - Altais Clinical Services launched in 2020 to help physician groups succeed under value-based contracting through the leveraging of data analytics tools. This interview provides perspectives of the horizon for value-based contracting moving forward and how data analytics can help providers be successful in value-based arrangements.
Healthcare Finance News: (2/4) - In this episode of HIMSS TV, Vivify CEO Eric Rock discusses how we are at a pivotal moment for value-based care and how remote patient monitoring can help realize the possibilities of health care.
Revcycle Intelligence: (2/4) - A new study by Pioneer Institute revealed that direct primary care (DPC) services have the potential to boost care access in Massachusetts by providing the most vulnerable populations with cost-effective, patient-centered care. There are currently 16 direct primary care practices in Massachusetts out of 1,600 nationwide, and the practice has been associated with affordable care for underserved patients and less physician burnout.
The New York Times: (2/4) - Health care providers across the country are feeling fatigue and exhaustion from being on the frontlines of COVID care over the past year. It has even caused several providers to leave the field, such as Dr. Sheetal Khedkar Rao, an internist in Chicago who experienced a 30 percent pay cut to compensate for a drop in patients seeking primary care. This article outlines the ongoing challenges providers are facing a year into the pandemic, including the burnout and lack of appreciation felt by medical workers on the frontlines.
Medical Economics: (2/3) - Many independent practices have struggled financially during the pandemic. With hospital and health system mergers and acquisitions becoming more common, this article outlines how such practices can band together to remain independent and stay in business, including through creating or joining an independent practice association or clinically integrated network.
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