Healthcare Finance Staff
In 2010, the Veterans Administration launched the Blue Button, a standards format that allows simple exchange of a patient's personal health data. Initially designed for use by veterans, the idea has taken off in the private sector and has been supported by at least one major care provider overseas.
Letters of intent are due today from those interested in participating in the CMS Innovation Center's Health Care Innovation Challenge, which promises up to $1 billion for new ideas that improve care, shift incentives and help train a newly-focused healthcare workforce.
The Bipartisan Options for the Future white paper by Ron Wyden (Senate Democrat from Oregon) and Paul Ryan (Republican Congressman from Wisconsin) is billed as a bold move to reform Medicare. It is admirable that two prominent legislators from across the aisle have come together on the pivotal fiscal question of our era, but the plan itself is disappointing and even counterproductive.
TriZetto Chief Medical Officer Jeff Rideout recently spoke with Healthcare Payer News Editor Chris Anderson about how data will play a part in redesigning the healthcare landscape and the readiness of both payers and providers to collaborate on these changes.
The Department of Health and Human Services has the power to publicize and review insurance premium rate hikes over 10 percent. In the past few months, many insurance companies have come under fire for excessive rate hikes. Healthcare Finance News asked its readers their opinion on HHS' rate review process.
The use of mobile applications to help manage members' health and wellness are gaining traction with payers, as they look to connect to their members via mobile technology many already use everyday.
Axial Exchange, which develops interoperability technologies based on an open-infrastructure platform, has won the "Ensuring Safe Transitions from Hospital to Home" initiative, sponsored by Health 2.0 and the Department of Health and
Twenty-nine hospitals in Greater Philadelphia cut readmission rates by 7 percent and saved $3.8 million in the third quarter, according to Transitions of Care Survey Summary Report from the Health Care Improvement Foundation.
Can you hear that clock ticking down to Jan. 1, 2012? If you are among the few in healthcare who are really on the ball, becoming compliant with new ASC-X12 5010 transaction standards ahead of the deadline, then congratulations! A big weight is off your shoulders.
Dr. Donald Berwick, who oversaw Medicare and Medicaid until earlier this month, defended the programs Monday, but said they are trapped in a U.S. health system that promotes wasteful spending and inefficient care.