Health Care Delivery

Hospitals in more competitive markets had significantly lower costs per discharge for both Medicare and privately insured patients.

In "What Does the Affordable Care Act Actually Do?," presented by Ivor Douglas, MD, Associate Professor, University of Colorado Denver, Chief, Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine Director, Medical Intensive Care, Denver Health Medical Center, at the ATS 2013 International Conference, Dr Douglas noted that fundamental issues driving the Affordable Care Act (ACA) include access, quality, and cost.

Colin Cooke, MD, MSc, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, says that hospitals with higher readmission rates that treat patients with acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia will be penalized due to healthcare reform.

The former nurse and hospital company executive, Marilyn Tavenner, has been confirmed as administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Tavenner has been serving as the interim administrator for the CMS since 2010. Her appointment, which has officially been vacant since Dr Mark B. McClellan stepped down in October 2006, came after much debate as to whether or not she should officially lead the organization.

Dramatic changes in medical payment and economics began with the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Cardiologists weighed in on how this law is expected to impact upon their treatment decisions and business economics.

The realities of the emerging healthcare marketplace are quickly being recognized. Layna Cook, with law firm, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, discussed these realities with her presentation, The Impact of Health Reform's State Exchanges.

A recent press release from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revealed the group's intention to recruit Navigators in assisting consumers with the new healthcare exchanges, especially as October enrollment dates quickly approach.

As a side effect of national sequester cuts, many cancer clinics have been forced to turn away Medicare patients.

Could two years really have made the difference? While some healthcare reforms proposals have called for raising Medicare eligibility from age 65 to 67 to address cost concerns associated with the Affordable Care Act, President Obama has made it clear that he would not consider increasing the age limit as a way to aid the national deficit.

Steve Melnick, President, SM Innovations, says that accountable care organizations (ACOs) will impact the pharmacy benefit by moving the healthcare system from a volume-based to a value-based model.

The initial push to reach the uninsured masses before final implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is in full force. The Obama administration is planning to campaign as early as this July, eager to register constituents by the October 1 start date.

For the second time in 6 months, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services officials have revised readmission penalties for hospitals. In doing so, approximately 1200 hospitals are now subject to lesser penalties.

The Affordable Care Act has left many healthcare professionals pondering the future of healthcare delivery. This all-encompassing discussion has many layers; however, at the American College of Cardiology 62nd Annual Scientific Session and Expo, a panel of experts discussed some of the specific variables-such as the need for better data and a more prominent role for nurses-as they relate to healthcare delivery in this transitory time.

Starting in September 2014, members of the public will be able to access a searchable database containing information about gifts and payments that pharmaceutical companies have given to physicians.

The implementation of health insurance exchanges (HIX) is one that contains a plethora of variables. While more than 30 states have opted to allow the federal government to take control of their HIX, other states, such as Mississippi and Utah, continue to seek ways to implement the exchange without ceding total control.