Here are five articles recently published by Becker's Hospital Review that offer insight on CMS' proposed annual inpatient payment rule, health systems with strong finances and more.
1. CMS releases 2019 IPPS proposed rule: 10 things to know
CMS filed its annual Medicare inpatient payment update April 24, which would increase payments to hospitals next year and follow through on some of the administration's top healthcare promises, including more price transparency for patients, reduced administrative burden on providers and a greater emphasis on interoperability.
2. 9 health systems with strong finances
Here are nine health systems with strong operational metrics and solid financial positions, according to recent reports from Moody's Investors Service, Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings.
3. Healthcare has a cost problem, and Kaiser plans to solve it
With 39 hospitals, nearly 12 million patients and health plan members, and more than 200,000 employees, Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente is one of the largest and most influential healthcare organizations in the U.S. Over 15 years ago, Kaiser recognized IT had to be a major part of the movement to change healthcare, and that realization led to the rollout of a systemwide EHR that helped establish the organization as a national leader. Now it is set to make another major move, this time in cost accounting.
4. CMS terminates Kansas hospital's Medicare billing privileges: 5 things to know
CMS revoked Overland Park, Kan.-based Blue Valley Hospital's Medicare billing privileges April 11, and the hospital is now suing HHS and CMS over the decision.
5. A royal baby is cheaper to deliver than the average US baby
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, gave birth to a baby boy April 23. Surprisingly, delivering the new prince, who is now fifth in line to the British throne, likely cost less than the average U.S. delivery.