Once again people are shocked, just shocked, when the response to a government regulation is to try to minimize the consequences. The Wall Street Journal finds a relationship between hospitals showing significant declines in readmissions and increased use of observation stays at those hospitals. Guess what, readmissions are penalized but being "readmitted" for "observation" doesn't count.
According to a report from AHRQ, from 2010 to 2014 there was a 17% decrease in hospital acquired conditions, but reporting and other concerns make this analysis suspect.
CMS for some period paid some Medicare Advantage plans double bonuses as a quality incentive. A study in Health Services Research finds that these bonuses cost Medicare $3.4 billion but did nothing to improve quality.
Medical staffing powerhouse AMN Healthcare Services is acquiring B.E. Smith, which provides executive search and advisory services for health care firms, for $160 million.
MyHealthTeamshasreceived$5millioninnewfinancingforitschronicdiseasecommunitysupportbusiness. (don't blame me, apparently you aren't supposed to put spaces between words any more)
UnitedHealth has lowered earnings guidance for 2016, citing individual exchange product issues. Here is an early 2016 prognostication; we have seen several hospital companies report deteriorating profitability and we are seeing health plans do that. Prepare for a new burst of health care inflation growth.
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.