Reimbursement

Through the beginning of March, 4.2 million Americans signed up for private coverage through state and federally-run exchanges, leaving federal health officials hoping for a final month's surge to meet initial projections, especially for millennials.

Aetna is going forward with an accountable care agreement for some 28,000 people, partnering with a health system that also has accountable care contracts with some competitors.

WellPoint's Amerigroup is the first Medicaid plan in the nation to use a health record chip that enthusiasts are calling a "breakthrough health IT solution."

With several states weighing whether to expand Medicaid under the federal health law, supporters are looking to powerful business groups to help sway skeptical state legislators. But those groups are split on the issue -- just like the public at large.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance wants to modernize its health plan accreditation program with a range of new requirements that in some cases mirror trends in regulatory scrutiny.

It has never been clearer: physician practices must be able to code in ICD-10 to bill for services and procedures after Oct. 1, 2014, or they will see a cash flow interruption, additional costs and delayed claims payments. But payers, clearinghouses and vendors can help you.

Despite the hassle of auto-cancellations, many home healthcare agencies find it difficult to keep track of their requests for anticipated payment.

Under pressure from the industry and Congress, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is withdrawing several proposed changes to the Medicare drug program, but still charging ahead with others that could prove disruptive.

The federal government's latest health reform tweaks could complement or disrupt the transition to new insurance marketplaces, depending in part on how consumers fair in the last month of open enrollment.

After a one year delay, the federal government is giving states a framework to create insurance programs for low-income residents earning above the Medicaid eligibility threshold, potentially encouraging more experimentation with public payer policies.