Accounting & Financial Management
CMS yesterday published a notice indicating an increase in the Medicare Hospital OPPS conversion factor from $74.144 to $74.173, which will slightly increase payment rates for most ambulatory payment classifications.
As appropriations are trimmed and payments decline, hospitals in the archipelago state making steep cuts to hold back the losses.
Projecting the financial future of a healthcare delivery system is like hitting a continually moving target being pushed in various directions by a wide variety of forces. But sometimes small steps can offer big benefits.
"You have to match the growth rate to the decline in the utilization rate," says Chief Financial Officer Timothy O'Connor.
Insurers with Medicare Advantage health plans are facing more public and government scrutiny over just how sick their senior members really are.
Salinas, California topped spending for all three procedures: $60,375 for a coronary stent placement; $57,990 for a total hip replacement; and $25,924 for a laparoscopic appendectomy.
Membership in the company's health plan grew by 510,000 in the year to nearly 9.6 million.
Slow response to "balance billing" problem stinging for consumers blindsided by out-of-network charges.
The Minnesota-based insurer expects to partner with up to 250 new ACOs this year.
Providers will need to utilize tools and services that educate physicians about the latest payment rules and regulations to ensure compliance.