Policy and Regulation

Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans Appear to Pay Similarly

August 1, 2017, by Scott Rupp

Here’s the question: How does physician reimbursement in Medicare Advantage compare with traditional Medicare’s rates and commercial health insurance rates? Actually, the two seem to be pretty close. A new JAMA Internal Medicine report found that health insurance companies involved in Medicare Advantage (MA) pay nearly the same as traditional Medicare. [cont...]

Policy and Regulation

Scott Rupp

Contributor

Scott E. Rupp is a writer and an award-winning journalist focused on healthcare technology. He has worked as a public relations executive for a major electronic health record/practice management vendor, and he currently manages his own agency, millerrupp. In addition to writing for a variety of publications, Scott also offers his insights on healthcare technology and its leaders on his site, Electronic Health Reporter.

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Meaningful Use-Like Bill Submitted to Bring Behavioral Health Incentives for EHRs

July 28, 2017, by Scott Rupp

A bill entered into the record of the United State House of Representatives, all 27 lines of it, is designed – crafted and created – to bring portions – in large part – of the troubled meaningful use incentive payment plan to behavioral health professionals. The bill, simply put, is designed to providers by offering incentives to those that adopt certified EHRs. [cont...]

Policy and Regulation

Scott Rupp

Contributor

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The ACA: Repeal without replacement plan fails in the Senate, "skinny" bill also fails

July 28, 2017, by Kevin McCarthy

Alongside advances in technology, such as the rise of artificial intelligence, robotics, and the proliferation of electronic medical records software, one of the leading news stories in the healthcare industry lately has been the GOP push to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. [cont...]

Policy and Regulation

Kevin McCarthy

Industry News Editor

An avid traveler and news junkie, Kevin covers a range of topics from healthcare technology to policy and regulations. As a former journalism student, he enjoys finding stories relevant to small practices and is passionate about keeping them informed. Before joining NueMD, Kevin worked for Turner Broadcasting as a Programming Intern where he conducted legal research and contributed to editorial content development. He received his bachelor's degree in Communication from Kennesaw State University and currently serves as the Industry News Editor at NueMD.

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Enrollees Actually Like Medicaid, Harvard Says

July 11, 2017, by Scott Rupp

Medicaid, Harvard thinks you’re the real deal. No joke, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reports through a new study. Apparently enrollees in Medicaid feel they’re actually pretty fortunate to have the coverage that they do. In fact, they are largely satisfied with the healthcare they receive under the program, the Harvard study cites. [cont...]

Medical Billing

Policy and Regulation

Scott Rupp

Contributor

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Most Physicians Still Unprepared for MACRA Despite CMS’ One-Year Delay

June 30, 2017, by Scott Rupp

A new study by KPMG and American Medical Association shows that just 8 percent of a thousand physicians surveyed said they feel they are “well prepared” to meet Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) reporting requirements. As a group they are ill-prepared for the transition and may be unable (as of today) or limited in their ability to respond effectively to the law that will change the way they are paid. [cont...]

Policy and Regulation

Scott Rupp

Contributor

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MACRA Creates More Problems than It Cures?

June 29, 2017, by Scott Rupp

On June 20, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finally posted the 2018 Quality Payment Program (QPP) Proposed Rule established through the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). The two tracks for Medicare physician payment established by the QPP are the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs).

The first year (2017), according to the release, is meant to be a transition year, but CMS now says 2018 will continue the slow ramp-up of the payment reform to encourage clinician participation. [cont...]

Policy and Regulation

Scott Rupp

Contributor

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Inspector General: Meaningful Use Paid Out Millions In Inappropriate Funds

June 22, 2017, by Scott Rupp

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act established the Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record incentive programs -- to promote the adoption of EHRs and to improve healthcare quality, safety and efficiency through the promotion of health information technology and electronic health information exchange. Now, though, it appears that the thing simply can’t get out of our way. [cont...]

Policy and Regulation

Scott Rupp

Contributor

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Are Efforts to Expand Telehealth Really Worth It?

June 9, 2017, by Scott Rupp

In what has become a favorite industry subject, telehealth use continues to rise as the trend finally catches on, but, ultimately, use is still low overall and varies widely across regions, Health Affairs claims. [cont...]

Policy and Regulation

Scott Rupp

Contributor

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Healthcare Insurance Premiums Show 2018 will Be a Hard Road Indeed

June 8, 2017, by Scott Rupp

It’s hard to work in and write about healthcare and not take notice of the current health insurance market as defined by the Affordable Care Act. The news coming from many of the insurers the past few weeks is too much to ignore, however, as premium rates continue to skyrocket. Keeping costs low, and providing access to people, was the primary reason for the inception of the act. [cont...]

Policy and Regulation

Scott Rupp

Contributor

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Four More Regions for CMS’ CPC+ Program

June 6, 2017, by Scott Rupp

CMS announced in May 2017 the four regions it has selected for the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) Round 2 and the health insurance companies that will participate. These insurers will join the 54 payers in 14 regions that were selected for Round 1 in 2016. The goal of the program, CMS said in a statement, is a payment redesign model designed to improve health outcomes while lowering costs, a goal desired by all, of course. [cont...]

Policy and Regulation

Private Practice