HHS announces plan to release NPI, related data
The Department of Health and Human Services has outlined its plan for what provider information will be attached to the national provider identifier (NPI) and how that information would be disseminated. Data from the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, or NPPES, is expected for release on June 29. Information will be released through downloadable files on the HHS Web site and also through a query-only database. HHS said it also would consider other approaches if they are consistent with the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act.
Date: 06/01/07
Presidential candidates too slow on healthcare
Despite polls ranking the healthcare crisis second only to the Iraq War as a concern for voters, few presidential candidates have emerged as champions of healthcare reform. A cursory review of candidates’ Web sites reveals that healthcare is a largely neglected issue. Many candidates are focusing more on issues such as immigration, taxes and the Iraq War.
Date: 06/01/07
MedPAC calls for pay equity in Medicare Advantage
The federal government is considering lowering the amount of money paid to private fee-for-service Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services currently pays an average of $540 per beneficiary for traditional FFS Medicare and $680 per beneficiary under private Medicare plans, a Medicare fact sheet indicates. In its testimony before the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) urged Congress to set MA payments to 100 percent of FFS Medicare rates.
Date: 05/25/07
U.S. ranks last in study of six nations’ health systems
An update to an ongoing study of several nations’ performances in several areas of healthcare has ranked the United States dead last among Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada. Despite spending more than other nations on healthcare, the United States ranked last on dimensions of care access, equity, efficiency and patient safety. Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund, said the absence of universal coverage is the number one factor contributing to the nation’s poor performance.
Date: 05/16/07