Category: CMS

Top News HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell announces an ambitious plan to tie 30 percent of Medicare provider payments to alternative payment models by 2016 and 50 percent by 2018, and also to link 85 percent of Medicare fee-for-service payments to quality and value by 2016. The announcement was received positively, although with guarded enthusiasm due…

Progress Towards Achieving Better Care, Smarter Spending, Healthier People HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell unveils a new plan, and timeline, for moving the nations healthcare providers from fee-for-service model to a value-based reimbursement model. Burwell says that by 2018, 50 percent of all Medicare payments will be made through alternative payment models. AMA’s letter to ONC…

The State Health Innovation Plans developed by 25 states—with support from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—plan to significantly invest in health IT services, according to a recent analysis from the New York-based research firm, Accenture. The State Health Innovation Plans developed by 25 states—with support from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid…

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease released a public opinion poll of Iowa health care leaders and a new study analyzing the impact of increased cost sharing on patient adherence to prescription medications. The PFCD is a nationwide coalition working to educate policy makers and the public on the costs of chronic diseases. …read more      

Official Who Led Medicare Through Insurance Shakeup Is Resigning CMS administrator Marilyn Tavenner resigns, telling staffers in an email that February will be her last month. Tavenner joined CMS in February 2010, just before President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, and went on to oversee the troubled rollout of Healthcare.gov in October 2013. Electronic…

Some in healthcare are remembering Marilyn Tavenner’s time as Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in a positive light, while hoping for a quick transition under the new leadership. Others are remaining quiet, opting not to release any kind of statement. Some in healthcare are remembering Marilyn Tavenner’s time as Administrator…

Multiple mainstream media outlets are reporting that Marilyn Tavenner, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is stepping down at the end of February. Multiple mainstream media outlets are reporting that Marilyn Tavenner, R.N. read more …read more      

While physicians can now bill Medicare for chronic care management of their patients, one physician expert cautions that, along with real potential for significant income growth, there are rigorous process and IT requirements involved As of January 1, the Medicare program began paying physicians for chronic care management, authorizing a monthly payment per Medicare enrollee…

Link: Modern Healthcare The Affordable Care Act (ACA) authorized the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into agreements with Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) on a shared savings basis with the goals of improved health outcomes and efficiency. Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACOs are measured on the quality of the patient experience,…