Insurance

Insurer UnitedHealth Group recently noted it will more than double payments made to physicians who participate in accountable care contacts. ACOs have already demonstrated an immense positive growth in quality care, and a reduction in medical costs.

New recommendations suggest reforming the federal 340b drug discount program. Originally designed to help providers serve the poor or underinsured, misuse has raised concerns for greater transparency in prices and how hospitals are using 340b savings.

While more than 75% of hospitals are participating in the federal electronic health record incentive program, small hospitals and Critical Access hospitals lag behind.

Medicare clients who seek outpatient care may see rise in costs come fiscal year 2014.

The House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee recently released draft legislation that would replace Medicare's current physician payment system with a quality-based system.

Managed care under Medicaid is being called into question, as quality of monitoring varies from state to state.

In January 2012, 32 healthcare organizations became the first to participate in the Medicare Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model. Now, over a year into the initiative, as many as 9 organizations are in deliberation of leaving the program.