- CMS seeks comments on easing ACA's 'regulatory burdens'. CMS last week issued a request for information seeking public input on how the agency can reduce "regulatory burdens" imposed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and improve consumers' health coverage options. CMS issued the request under an executive order President Trump signed shortly after his inauguration which directs federal agencies to "ease the burden" of the ACA. Specifically, CMS said it is seeking "to identify and eliminate or change regulations that are outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective; impose costs that exceed benefits; or create inconsistencies that otherwise interfere with regulatory reform initiatives and policies."
- A 12-hospital system's novel approach to population health. In an unorthodox approach toward population health, ProMedica is investing its capital resources to rehabilitate the real estate and businesses surrounding the health system's 12 hospitals to spur economic development and address community issues. In recent years, the system has targeted social determinants of health by stepping outside the hospital and investing capital in affordable housing, community outreach, grocery stores, and real estate. According to ProMedica CEO Randy Oostra, "the idea is to use our resources to drive economic development and attack tenacious community problems."
- CMS asks providers to propose new MIPS measures. CMS is asking providers, organizations, and other stakeholders in the health care industry to propose new measures and activities for consideration for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under MACRA's Quality Payment Program. Specifically, CMS is seeking input on measures for categories such as advancing care information, improvement activities, and quality. Stakeholders have until June 30 to submit their recommendations, and CMS will publish the final selection of measures in the Federal Register by Nov. 1 of the year before the performance period for the new measures begins.
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.
- An introduction to population health analytics. Join us on June 21 for a webconference on Population Health Analytics, an integrated health solutions platform that brings together underlying data assets from different programs into a user-friendly interface. During the one-hour training, one of our Population Health experts will guide you through the new platform and what it entails.