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Impact of Healthcare Reform Series
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This is the final article in a series of five regarding health reform and the impact on various stakeholders, including individuals, hospitals, physicians, and employers. In the May 2011 issue, we will begin a new series on implications of Accountable Care Organizations.
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Healthcare Reform: Impact on States
States govern the organization and implementation of many aspects of healthcare, namely Medicaid, CHIP, and the regulation of insurance markets. The large scale changes to the basic organization of healthcare legislated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (Reconciliation Act), collectively referred to as “healthcare reform,” have a profound effect on the resources and policies of every state.
(Read more...)
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CMS Issues Proposed Rule on Accountable Care Organizations
On March 31, 2011 CMS issued its proposed rules for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), answering many questions regarding these new models of care as well as raising some new concerns. In its 429-page document, CMS addressed all aspects of the original Medicare Shared Savings section of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, from the legal structure of each ACO to the shared savings risk models available.
(Read more...)
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Federal Efforts to Improve Healthcare Quality
In response to various provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Department of Health and Human Services has begun to implement several initiatives to link quality measures to healthcare. These quality-focused initiatives include CMS’s public release of data related to hospital acquired conditions and the establishment of a National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care.
(Read more...)
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Opportunities and Challenges for Telemedicine
The shortage of specialists, intensivists, and on-call physicians, as well as advances in technology, are driving the growth of telemedicine in the delivery of healthcare across the U.S. Today approximately 200 telemedicine networks exist in the U.S., connecting over 3,000 medical and healthcare institutions throughout the country. The implementation and possibilities of telemedicine continue to expand at an astounding rate, but without standardization, this booming technology still faces many challenges.
(Read more...)
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