http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Blog/2011/Oct/Lessons-from-Abroad.aspx
this is an interesting blog about their system which is similar to the one we passed.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Long term services and the deficit
Today, I went to an alliance for health reform session on long term services and support (LTSS) (replaces the term long term care). The panel is described:
the Alliance for Health Reform and The Commonwealth Fund are sponsoring an October 3 luncheon briefing. Panelists will be: Bob Hornyak, Administration on Aging; Cynthia Woodcock, Impaq and formerly Hilltop Institute; and Carol Raphael, Visiting Nurse Service of New York. Mary Jane Koren of Commonwealth and Ed Howard of the Alliance will co-moderate.
Very worthwhile session. While the panel did not have an asnwer to my question on what changes would they propose re LTSS and the deficit super committee, here are some of my ideas
1) Integrate the funding of medicare and medicaid. Right now these funds are not that integrated, so that Medicare pays one set of providers or plans, and medicaid pays another set. Somehow integrate the payment systems, either medicare funds go to medicaid plans and providers or visa versa.
2) Pay for chronic care/LTSS through managed LTSS. Ensure that there are bonuses, e.g., pay for performance, for better quality of care. This is especially need for dual eligibles.
3) Do more to integrate LTSS. Right now hospitals, nursing homes, home care, etc are not integrated very well. We need to find ways to integrate. Some possible ways are to have a coordination council, or use care managers. Managed care plans could do this, but many are not setup to do so. Integrate housing programs into the system and other delivery services, e.g, meals, transportation, etc.
4) Provide more incentives for individuals and families to purchase long term care insurance.
the Alliance for Health Reform and The Commonwealth Fund are sponsoring an October 3 luncheon briefing. Panelists will be: Bob Hornyak, Administration on Aging; Cynthia Woodcock, Impaq and formerly Hilltop Institute; and Carol Raphael, Visiting Nurse Service of New York. Mary Jane Koren of Commonwealth and Ed Howard of the Alliance will co-moderate.
Very worthwhile session. While the panel did not have an asnwer to my question on what changes would they propose re LTSS and the deficit super committee, here are some of my ideas
1) Integrate the funding of medicare and medicaid. Right now these funds are not that integrated, so that Medicare pays one set of providers or plans, and medicaid pays another set. Somehow integrate the payment systems, either medicare funds go to medicaid plans and providers or visa versa.
2) Pay for chronic care/LTSS through managed LTSS. Ensure that there are bonuses, e.g., pay for performance, for better quality of care. This is especially need for dual eligibles.
3) Do more to integrate LTSS. Right now hospitals, nursing homes, home care, etc are not integrated very well. We need to find ways to integrate. Some possible ways are to have a coordination council, or use care managers. Managed care plans could do this, but many are not setup to do so. Integrate housing programs into the system and other delivery services, e.g, meals, transportation, etc.
4) Provide more incentives for individuals and families to purchase long term care insurance.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Understanding the Rise in Health Insurance Premiums
http://tinyurl.com/5u67a2b
there have been recent articles in the press about the significantly increased rise in health insurance premiums. This commonwealth fund blog by jon gabel et al, a well respected researcher, indicates that most of this increase has nothing to do with the affordable care act. It is an important clarification of this issue
there have been recent articles in the press about the significantly increased rise in health insurance premiums. This commonwealth fund blog by jon gabel et al, a well respected researcher, indicates that most of this increase has nothing to do with the affordable care act. It is an important clarification of this issue
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Medigap Reform : Setting the Context
http://www.kff.org/medicare/upload/8235.pdf
this kaiser family report examines the impact of changes in medigap policies. evidently medigap changes are being considered by the deficit committee.
this kaiser family report examines the impact of changes in medigap policies. evidently medigap changes are being considered by the deficit committee.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
U.S. Health Insurance Cost Rises Sharply, Study Finds
http://tinyurl.com/693aeja
this nytimes article raises tough questions especially for obama and health reform. hope the article's thoughts that the future may be better is right, but this will not help for now.
this nytimes article raises tough questions especially for obama and health reform. hope the article's thoughts that the future may be better is right, but this will not help for now.
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