The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center has created a new center to address inequities in cancer care. The Center to Eliminate Cancer Inequity (CinEQUITY) will work to pioneer research that addresses biological, social and structural factors that adversely affect excluded or marginalized people in the Chicagoland area. The goal is to ultimately create…
Seven durable medical equipment companies cost the Medicare system $2 billion in payments, the National Association of ACOs (NAACOS) told the federal government in recent months. But it’s unclear just how problematic that will be for accountable care organizations. The association’s allegations come from a review of two billing codes for Medicare claims data from…
The term health equity has found its way into business plans, patient-facing documents, regulations, initiatives, and the news. A recent Deloitte report noted that over 80% of c-suite executives spanning healthcare organizations and the life sciences anticipate a 2024 focus on improved health equity, flagging it as a top 10 goal for the year. In…
Recently, I’ve become uncomfortable with the buzzword of health care reform in our time: “value-based care.” We’ll look closely at that term in this article and sketch out some paths forward to something better. Some context: During the 15 years that I’ve been covering health care IT, commonplace terminology has been repeatedly re-examined. The terms…
Giving birth in the United States is dangerous, and even more so if you are Black or Indigenous, live in a rural area, or have a low income. Maternal deaths continue to rise, even though the vast majority are preventable. The rate of people experiencing severe maternal morbidity is climbing, and perinatal anxiety and depression…
Download Slides Download Handout Learn about innovative and unconventional approaches to Medicare Advantage HEDIS strategy from real-world experiences. It’s a new year! And now is a great time to evaluate last year’s performance, review your current strategy, develop a plan, and set new goals to close gaps in care. Make 2024 the year you…
As we move into 2024, health care is experiencing unprecedented digital innovation and transformation. New technologies and capabilities are emerging to enable organizations – including payers, providers, and self-funded employers – to confidently take on risk in value-based care (VBC) programs. The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that 49% of practices are participating in some form…
Large language models, a form of artificial intelligence, are generating a lot of hype in healthcare circles, primarily because of their potential to transform and improve various aspects of healthcare delivery and management. The buzz also is driven by rapid advancements in AI and machine learning. But while there’s significant potential, challenges and ethical considerations…
Risk Adjustment Factor and CMS-HCC Model The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) utilize Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) risk adjustment models to predict forthcoming healthcare costs for Medicare Advantage patients, considering health status and demographic factors. The Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF) score determines CMS payments to health plans per patient. Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs)…
Chicago-based Medical Home Network (MHN), a nonprofit organization focused on transforming care in the safety net, is partnering this year with 64 federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in seven states to participate in two CMS value-based programs: ACO REACH and the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). MHN provider partners participating in the NeueHealth Premier ACO…