Monday, August 25, 2014

Why more people could be getting health insurance at work

Why more people, not fewer, could be getting health insurance at work  

New Birth Control Rules Appear To Track Supreme Court Suggestion

Medicare Star Ratings Allow Nursing Homes to Game the System  Very critical article.  Raises important issues but not certain how valid. 

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT Tracking Survey
Some useful information about enrollment, use of services, etc.

Financial and Quality Impacts of the Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration 
Results are positive.  

States Seeking to Expand Medicaid Through Waivers Can Learn From Arkansas, Iowa, and Michigan

One Year into Duals Demo Enrollment: Early Expectations Meet Reality


Almost 7 million Americans could qualify to outside open enrollment:

Provider networks aren't transparent enough. http://t.co/55rTYUvy39

80% of patients who read their doctor's notes better understood their own health via

Child refugees and health care
 

Updated edition of our FAQ about resolving health insurance Marketplace “inconsistencies”

Primary care practices need help to effectively use , but how? Check out key techniques from :

Exchange Customers Now Receiving Subsidies Should Review Tax Issues 

2014 ELECTION: GOP’S NEW SCRIPT ON ACA –
Obamacare Still ‘Red Meat’ For GOP Candidates But Focus Of Attacks Shift


While these campaigns are not so accurate, they will score points because the public is not adequately informed. 

Tax refunds may get hit due to health law credits 
 

 

Monday, August 18, 2014

Chronically Ill Still Face Insurer Discrimination

Consumer Groups: Chronically Ill Still Face Insurer Discrimination

Trends in the Medicare Part D Plan Marketplace
Encouraging trends as costs have not increased much in past few years.

The share of Americans who are uninsured is falling. 
More good news on this front.  


PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH PLANS GETTING INVOLVED IN INSURANCE LITERACY


More than 40% of Social Security Disability Insurance recipients take opioid pain relievers via

"The drug companies are the most powerful lobbying in Washington I've encountered" says at town hall here in NH.
 






Sunday, August 17, 2014

Medicare to Start Paying Doctors Who Coordinate Needs of Chronically Ill Patients +

Medicare to Start Paying Doctors Who Coordinate Needs of Chronically Ill Patients    This seems like an excellent idea, but I would like to see more details before making final judgement.   Does any two chronic conditions qualify for this level of care.  Are there some cases, where the two conditions may be of little consequence that it may result in over-treatment.  Are there ways to make the coordination more effective than others.  Does this new policy provide guidance on that dimension. 

Wal-Mart wants to be your doctor

Small Medical Practices Had Fewer Preventable Hospital Admissions

Treating People with Complex Care Needs
Hope they point us to more details on such programs.

Large Employers Trimming Healthcare Spending

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Monday, August 11, 2014

Thoughts on CMS' Innovation Center + more

This blog entry covers CMS' Innovation Center and other articles.  

Washington's $10 Billion Search For Health Care's Next Big Ideas

Here are my comments in response to the above article which appeared in the Post and Kaiser Health News article 

I worked for CMS' Office of Research and Demonstrations for 13 years.  Our model of carefully designed demonstrations with research designs and evaluation research was extremely successful.  We produced many major changes in the program thru legislation such as prospective payment in hospitals and home health, managed care, risk adjustment, hospice care, prenatal care, and many others.  I highly recommend that this model get far more attention at CMS.  

I made this comment on the Post site but as of this writing it has not been displayed yet. 

Another ACA ‘horror story’ faces scrutiny

Moving into ‪#‎Medicare‬? Our new graphic shows how financial assistance changes when individuals move into the program http://bit.ly/1sEPoFg

Legislators Who Block Medicaid Expansion Are Stiffing Veterans Out of Health Care, and Stiffing Workers Out of Jobs

An Amazing Healthcare Revolution Is Happening In Maryland — And Almost No One's Talking About It