Value-based reimbursement

Yes, Mr. President, Health Care Is Complicated

Yes, Mr. President, Health Care Is ComplicatedI nearly fell off the couch when I read the President’s statement that “nobody knew health care could be so complicated.”

Um, Mr. President, everyone knew. In fact, health care is considered the most complex industry out there. That would be why, as you and your colleagues are finding, transforming the system is “incredibly complex.” It is also why it will be nearly impossible to repeal-and-replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with something better unless you move to a single-payer system.You can, of course, focus on fixing its weaknesses.

I remember a healthcare economics course I took when I was in my 20s. During the first class, the professor told us: “Take every basic economic concept out there, including resource allocation, supply-and-demand pricing, and rational consumer behavior, and toss it aside. Very few apply to health care.”

The past 30 years as a healthcare writer have reaffirmed that statement hundreds of times over.

The Health Care System as a Tube of Toothpaste

I have my own analogy to describe the US healthcare system. I think of it as a tube of toothpaste … Continue Reading

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ACA Affordable Care Act health insurance healthcare reform healthcare system; Medicare Obamacare politics Value-based reimbursement

Value-Based Reimbursement: There’s a New Player in Town

Value Based Reimbursement Webinar

 

There’s a new player in town. In case you haven’t heard, his name is VBR – value-based reimbursement. He’s smart. He’s tough. He’s out to break you down and build you up. And if you’re a healthcare provider, there is nowhere to hide.

For several years now I’ve been writing about the “coming” revolution in healthcare reimbursement as the system moves from a fee-for-service approach (ie, the more you do, the more you earn) to one based on cost and outcomes, aka, value. Well, the revolution has begun. Just consider:

➢ On April 1, nearly 70 hospital systems will switch from billing separately for each component of a knee or hip replacement to receiving a bundled payment for all care provided from the time the patient enters the hospital until 90 days after discharge. Just consider the possibilities!

➢ Two weeks ago, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which is driving the value-based revolution, announced a proposal to change the way physicians are paid for drugs administered in their offices (mainly oncology medications).

Today, doctors get the … Continue Reading

Labels:
Affordable Care Act healthcare costs healthcare reform healthcare system; Value-based reimbursement