Susan Morse
D and F graded hospitals carry nearly twice the risk of mortality of A-graded hospitals, with over 50,000 lives at stake, according to Leapfrog analysis.
A rule on hospital prices will be coming out alongside a proposal for health plan transparency, CMS Administrator Seema Verma says.
Five plans scored highest with Northeast and Midwest dominating as areas with the highest rated plans.
One pilot is being offered to about 30,000 JP Morgan Chase employees in Ohio and Arizona.
While the site neutral rule goes against court order, as does one on cuts for 340B payments, CMS said it is evaluating an option to appeal.
The health systems had proposed forming a joint operating company to manage hospitals in six counties.
The rule also promotes competition and innovation in durable medical equipment by setting Medicare payment for new items based on commercial pricing data.
The bill has bipartisan support to lift restrictions on Medicare coverage for telehealth.
Over 55% of hospitals will receive higher Medicare payments under the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program.
The insurance industry will remain but the traditional PPO is beginning to come to an end as costs are outstripping inflation and wages, CEO says.