- How a hospital-fire department team cut high-risk Medicare readmissions by 20 percent. As part of a new program aimed at curbing readmissions, Aurora West Allis Medical Center (AWAMC) flags Medicare patients with certain chronic conditions for the West Allis Fire Department, which then dispatches paramedics to check in on the patients within one or two days of discharge. The specially trained paramedics facilitate patients' follow-up care, inquire about their daily needs, and update the care team at the hospital accordingly. According to AWAMC, among participants, the program has contributed to a 20 percent decline in 30-day readmissions for the ED, as well as a 30 percent decrease in overall hospitalizations for participants.
- AHA expresses concerns about MedPAC payment recommendation. In a letter to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, the American Hospital Association voiced concern about a recommendation, approved by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), to establish the post-acute care prospective payment system (PAC PPS) by 2021, more than four years ahead of schedule. "While we appreciate the thoughtful work MedPAC has completed thus far on PAC PPS ... development, it remains unclear how policymakers could eliminate four to five years from the IMPACT Act's (Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014) timeline to build a PAC PPS and still produce an accurate and reliable payment system," the AHA wrote.
- CMS provides technical assistance guide for MACRA. CMS in May published a guide that summarizes technical assistance resources available for clinicians who are participating in MACRA's Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) or the Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM). The guide includes contact information for 11 organizations that will provide training and support for practices with 15 or fewer clinicians, as well as 14 organizations that will provide direct technical support for practices with more than 15 clinicians.
From Advisory Board:
- Why the physician network needs to be redefined—and how to do it. In recent years, physician networks have focused primarily on growing market share, improving quality, and preparing for population health. Today's networks, however, must simultaneously accomplish several different goals—and manage inherent tensions along the way. Join us on June 26 to learn how to effectively segment physicians across the network and instill a clear sense of individual purpose to help physicians in the network better advance system strategy.
- What does health care reform beyond the ACA look like? Join our new webconference series. Across this eight-part series, we'll recap the key insights and top case studies from our new research presentations, focusing on how to position hospitals and health systems for long-term success amid political uncertainty.
- How to assemble a high-performing PAC partner network. This webconference will provide guidance for developing a more systematic post-acute care network strategy. Join us on June 14 to learn the seven strategic steps health systems should take when assembling high-performing PAC networks.