Category: Healthcare System
CMS Announces End of Medicare Advantage VBID Model
Breaking News: VBID Model Termination The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made a pivotal announcement regarding the Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model’s termination after 2025. This decision stems from the discovery of substantial and unprecedented costs to Medicare Trust Funds, amounting to $4.5 billion over just two years –…
Cyber Security Breaches in the Healthcare Industry: The Ascension Cas
Summary: Ascension healthcare system suffered a major ransomware attack in May, disrupting critical operations and contributing to a $1.1B fiscal loss. The breach originated from an employee downloading malicious software, affecting patient data but reportedly not compromising full medical records. This incident joins other significant healthcare breaches in 2024, including the record-breaking Change Healthcare attack…
Quality and Access: Exploring Federal Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
In today’s complex healthcare landscape, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) stand as beacons of accessibility and comprehensive care for millions of Americans. These community-based healthcare providers serve as crucial safety nets, ensuring that quality medical services reach those who need them most, regardless of their ability to pay. What Are FQHCs? Federally Qualified…
Understanding the New Era in Behavioral Health Coverage
Introduction: A New Era in Mental Health Coverage In response to the surging demand for mental health services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented groundbreaking policies aimed at expanding access to behavioral healthcare. These transformative changes, finalized in late 2023, mark a significant shift in Medicare’s approach to mental health coverage…
Modernizing Prior Authorization: A Transformative Policy Change
Policy Overview and Implementation Timeline In a significant move to modernize healthcare administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has unveiled a transformative policy aimed at streamlining the prior authorization process. This initiative, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to enhancing health data exchange and strengthening care access, is projected to generate…
American Public Health Association (APHA) 2024 Advocacy Priorities
According to recent data from the Trust for America’s Health, public health funding has decreased in 21 states since 2019, highlighting critical gaps in the nation’s health infrastructure. The American Public Health Association (APHA) has established strategic advocacy priorities for 2024 to address these challenges and strengthen public health systems nationwide. These priorities encompass critical…