Debate Over ‘Bundled’ Payments Heats Up
Health care reform proposals in Congress would call for additional Medicare pilot projects on "bundled" payments and allow Medicare to expand the concept if successful. Proponents say that moving away from the fee-for-service system would lead to better, more efficient care. However, some physicians say they are concerned that bundling payments would lead to hospitals cutting costs by using fewer specialists to consult on patients.
- "Can 'Bundled' Payments Help Slash Health Costs?" (Galewitz, Kaiser Health News/USA Today, 10/26).