Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Accountable Care Organizations, Explained
This model of care is one of the ways created by the Affordable Care Act to reduce health care costs while improving quality of care. You can also watch the accompanying video that explains ACOs.
Advocates, CMS Warn Providers About Continuing Medicare ‘Balance Billing’
A CMS report says low-income seniors and those with disabilities often are billed for copayments, deductibles and other forms of shared payments, which is against the law.
Duals Allowed To Designate an Assistant
State health officials have established a process allowing dual eligibles to designate a friend or relative to make decisions about enrollment choices.
Changes Afoot for Orange County Duals
After several false starts, Orange County is set to launch its enrollment process for the duals demonstration project — but with a slightly modified timeline.
What Has Half a Century of Medicaid Meant for U.S.?
Experts and stakeholders reflect on half a century of Medicaid as we approach the 50th anniversary of two national health programs.
Undocumented Immigrants Help Keep Medicare Solvent, According to New Study
New research measuring undocumented immigrants’ contributions to the Medicare program has implications for efforts to extend Medi-Cal coverage to undocumented immigrants, according to California officials.
There’s bipartisan support for legislation that would eliminate the Affordable Care Act’s Independent Payment Advisory Board, meaning that one of the few ways to limit Medicare spending growth could soon be gone. What other tools could control Medicare spending?
Medicare ‘Doc Fix’ Affects Non-Doctor Providers, Too
The replacement for Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula affects not just physicians, but also nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists and other types of providers. Leaders of several California provider groups say the new law will help improve beneficiaries’ access to care.
State Responds to Concerns, Resets Timeline for Senior Program Transition
State health officials announced they would extend the timeline for transition of frail and elderly Californians from the Multipurpose Senior Services Program into managed care plans.
Scorecard: Less Than Half of Medicare Payments Tied to Value
A new scorecard from Catalyst for Payment Reform shows that while there is progress in tying Medicare payments to value, there’s still a long way to go.