AHA News Reports: Tennessee Hospitals Announce Payment Policy for Certain Adverse Events
The Tennessee Hospital Association has approved a policy recommending hospitals in the state not to seek payment for care related to certain serious adverse events- if the hospital deems the event was preventable.
From Modern Healthcare News: California’s health insurers trade group is supporting the prohibition on reimbursing providers on “never events”.
The board for the California Association of Health Plans unanimously passed a decision in favor of no longer paying for eight never events.
The California Association is also endorsing a bill that would prohibit providers from billing payers for adverse events that cause the death or injury of a patient.
From the Modern Healthcare News: Massachusetts will no longer pay for care related to serious hospital errors (“never-events”).
They will end reimbursement for care related to 28 serious reportable events, defined by the National Quality Forum (NQF).
More on Article: Massachusetts to halt payment for ‘never events’
Giorgi Lomsadze reports on Georgia’s healthcare system.
Georgia has launched the "100 Hospital Bill", where Private companies, such as pharmaceutical firms, are taking over public hospitals –aiming to improve quality services of facilities.
Read More on Giorgi Lomsadze’s Article: GEORGIA SAYS FAREWELL TO PUBLIC HEALTHCARE
Kaiser Daily News: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has awarded a total of $24.5 million to its highest-performing members in a Medicare pay-for-performance project.
Read More on Press Release: CMS Recognizes Hospitals in Medicare Pay-for-Performance Pilot Project With Financial Awards
Sarah Mcintosh, in Kansas reports the increase of in-store health clinics opening in pharmacies. These in-store clinics offer both acute and preventative care. They also provide price transparency by posting a list of services and prices ahead of time.
With in-store health clinics, consumers don’t have to worry about going to the doctor’s office when it is closed, or making a trip to the emergency room for the “common cold”.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: (CMS) will soon launch a ranking system of America’s nursing homes using a “star” rating.
The ratings will be available on the agency’s Nursing Home Compare Web site by the end of the year.
From HealthData Management: An online community web site for family members, nurses, social workers, and others who care for the aged and chronically ill have been developed by The National Family Caregivers Association and Intel Corp.
Consumers are able to view a variety of networks which caregivers can join, based on their needs and interests. There is also a section with information on chronic disease and conditions, and a section where patients can share their stories.
The American Medical Association (AMA): recently launched the Cure for Claims campaign to help improve processing medical claims with health insurers. They have created their first National Health Insurer Report Card on claims processing.
The Report Card illustrates the claims processing performance of Medicare and seven national commercial health insurers:
Alescia Teel, from Politcker NJ News reports on a new bill to improve transparency:
New Jersey’s Assembly passed two measures that are part of a multi-bill legislative package to stabilize the long-term financial health of the state’s hospital industry.
The legislative package will enhance the fiscal transparency, accountability, and efficiency at general New Jersey hospitals.
From iHealthBeat: Nevada’s Board of Medical Examiners has recently added more information on physicians’ malpractice history online.
They have included the names of physicians listed in malpractice cases that ended in a settlement, award or judgment.
Rell signs bill to expand health care registry, helping patients learn about providers
In the Stamford News: Governor M. Jodi Rell signed a Public Act 08-109 law. This act extends the state physician profile to other Health Care Providers.
From HealthData Management: Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield is now offering members services through Google Health. Members will be able to import claims data into their personal health records.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
http://www.bluecrossma.com/common/en_US/index.jsp
Google Health
http://www.google.com/health
iHealthBeat has this story: Recently, health care web sites have seen an increase in the number of hits. More interactive features are being developed providing reliable resources for medical information. Consumers are advised not to consider the information on a site to be a substitute for professional medical advice; however it provides useful tools and resources to assist patients.
Stacey Burling at the Philly news writes on hospital pricing::
It has been difficult for consumers to find out the exact cost hospitals charge for a procedure. With the increase of high-deductible insurance plans/no insurance, consumers have more of a reason to care and inquire about medical costs... Medicare has started publishing the amount they pay individual hospitals. This can allow patients to have a better understanding on what care actually costs.
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