Here are five articles published on Becker's Hospital Review this past week that offer interesting insight on proposed Medicare drug payment models, hospital credit ratings and healthcare collections.
1. CMS proposes new Medicare drug payment models: 8 things to know
CMS said it would test new models for how Medicare Part B pays for prescription drugs to encourage physicians to select the most effective treatments for patients and to slow Medicare spending.
2. Healthcare's 2016 outlook: 11 thoughts from S&P
The prolonged positive response to negative pressures will result in balanced credit upgrades versus downgrades in the nonprofit healthcare sector for 2016 and into 2017, while downgrades will only slightly exceed upgrades in the for-profit sector, according to a recent Standard & Poor's Ratings Services webcast.
3. 5 hospitals receive credit downgrades in past month
Five hospitals and health systems received a credit downgrade during the past month.
4. MedPAC issues March report to Congress: 8 Medicare issues
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission released its March 2016 report on Medicare payment policy to Congress, in which it makes fee-for-service payment rate recommendations and gives a status report on the Medicare Advantage and Part D drug programs.
5. 10 things to know about healthcare collections & patient financial responsibility
Hospitals and health systems, accustomed to negotiating with insurance companies to receive the bulk of payment for services rendered, are suddenly faced with a new payer group: consumers.
More articles on healthcare finance:
Intermountain's bad debt jumps 41% in 2015
California hospital moves one step closer to closing
Catholic Health's hospitals sees 84% drop in net income: 3 things to know