Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
So-called “specialty hospitals“, facilities typically owned by for-profit firms and/or practicing physicians, have been the subject of much debate by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Now, it looks like CMS will continue their ban on new facilities … Continue reading Ambulatory Surgical Centers’ future
Read More...Gary Schwitzer has posted a quick item in his blog providing more detail about the financial benefits to physicians of “leasing” imaging services. For those who missed the article in the Wall Street Journal, Schwitzer’s blog has a link and … Continue reading More on cheating docs
Read More...More from the “group health” side of the Coventry call… In general, a very strong quarter for one of the mid-tier players in managed care. Loss ratios were down, medical trend slightly decreased, and efforts are underway to address some … Continue reading Coventry call
Read More...The single most valuable governmental agency is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. AHRQ’s latest published research is the report on health care quality in all 50 states and DC. Measurements of over 100 indicators in 14 areas, the … Continue reading Rankings of state health care quality
Read More...Two reports on so-called “specialty hospitals” were released yesterday in hearings on Capitol Hill. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) report calls for an extension of the ban on construction of new specialty hospitals. For those who have not been … Continue reading Ban on specialty hospitals may be extended
Read More...A new study indicates HMO enrollment in New England has declined over the past year. HealthLeaders-Interstudy (here’s hoping the new company gets a new name shortly)’s just-released New England Health Plan Analysis indicates that all states save New Hampshire experienced … Continue reading HMO enrollment drops in New England
Read More...Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan’s recent gloomy pronouncements about the potential impact of the federal deficit have focused even more attention on entitlement programs. Interestingly, Greenspan specifically mentioned governmental health programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare, noting that their contribution to … Continue reading The Federal budget, the deficit, and provider reimbursement
Read More...The article referenced in yesterday’s blog entry about health care cost trends is available at Health Affairs. Here’s the abstract… “National health spending growth is anticipated to remain stable at just over 7.0 percent through 2006, the result of diverging … Continue reading Future health care costs
Read More...The Bush Administration’s efforts to address the rising costs of Medicaid came under attack again by state governors from both parties. The Bush budget proposal includes cuts of $40 billion in the program, at a time when program costs have … Continue reading Positions on Medicaid stiffen
Read More...Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry introduced a Workers Com reform program that calls for significant changes in the state’s workers’ comp laws. Interestingly, the governor linked the WC reform to his efforts to reduce uninsurance in the state. According to the … Continue reading Oklahoma WC initiative
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