Mary Mosquera

The delay of the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate gives businesses and health plans an opportunity to better prepare, not to put off what they know they must do.

An army is amassing – composed of payers, providers, healthcare organizations, businesses, community and consumer groups – to help educate and guide a large part of the population to sign up for coverage on the health insurance exchanges.

Premium rates published by a number of states for health insurance exchange plans appear to be lower than originally expected, but experts anticipate it won’t last.

Underlying changes in some healthcare cost factors appear to be taking root and have some economists wondering if the slowdown in healthcare spending growth may last beyond the near term.

Employers and employees contributed to health savings accounts in record numbers last year.

Several key trends are reshaping the business strategies of health insurers in advance of the Jan. 1 go-live date for many provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

Accountable care organizations have the potential to slow health spending growth and improve quality of care but regulating them poses challenges related to competition.

The apparent slowdown of the growth of healthcare spending has been noted by many in the healthcare industry, the policy world and economists. But what is causing it and how long it will last is unknown.

House Energy and Commerce Committee has unanimously approved legislation to repeal and replace the sustainable growth rate formula, moving another step closer to a more stable physician payment system.

Since providers must be able to pay rent and staff salaries if the transition to ICD-10 does not flow smoothly, experts advise having up to several months' cash reserves or access to cash to avoid potential headaches.