On August 2, 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2014 IPPS Final Rule. In the final rule, CMS made a few revisions from the proposed rule related to the Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) calculation
U.S. health care organizations have recently—or are currently—assessing their information technology operations and software systems for the effects of compliance with electronic health record (EHR) requirements and the pending implementation of ICD-10.
On June 22, 2012, the IRS issued proposed regulations regarding several additional requirements enacted by the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act applicable to tax-exempt hospitals.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided to uphold virtually all of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as it was enacted. First and foremost, all Medicare-related provisions are left intact, so all payment cuts to providers that have already been implemented will remain
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) introduced various ways to strengthen primary care by improving care coordination, making it easier for clinicians to work together and helping clinicians spend more time with their patients. One such program is the Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) initiative.
Hospitals and health systems are well served by proactive strategic planning and processes with respect to physician alignment, both for employed and independent physicians. This article points out some common problems and solutions to becoming a more purposeful organization with respect to physician alignment. Problem Many hospitals are reactive in determining where resources are best spent around physician alignment. Often, a physician group will approach a hospital looking to be acquired or to enter into a contractual arrangement, such as an on-call deal, and the hospital will immediately begin working with the group to reach an understanding or accommodation. This reactive approach can waste time and resources on low-impact results or low-priority relationships. Solution Hospitals need to develop a clear strategy around physician alignment and implement a unified process around affiliation activity
Recently issued IRS Notice 2011-52 addresses community health needs assessment (CHNA) requirements added to the Internal Revenue Code by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). While CHNA requirements are not effective until tax years beginning after March 23, 2012, the IRS is issuing guidance for hospital organizations wishing to start the process now. Guidelines in the notice refer to any CHNA made widely available to the public and any implementation strategy adopted on or before a date six months after the IRS issues further guidance