CMS blog – readmissions to hospitals

By Patrick Conway, M.D., principal deputy administrator and chief medical officer, CMS; and Tim Gronniger, deputy chief of staff, CMS The unfortunate experience of having to return to the hospital after recently being treated—or watching the same thing happen to a friend or family member—is all too common. Potentially avoidable hospital readmissions that occur within 30 days of a patient’s initial …

“Plans for the Quality Payment Program in 2017: Pick Your Pace”

As the baby boom generation ages, 10,000 people enter the Medicare program each day. Facing that demand, it is essential that Medicare continues to support physicians in delivering high-quality patient care. This includes increasing its focus on patient outcomes and reducing the obstacles that make it harder for physicians to practice good care. The bipartisan Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization …

Competitive bidding program continues to maintain access and quality while helping to save Medicare millions

CMS News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 8, 2016 Contact: CMS Media Relations (202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries Overview The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the new single payment amounts and began sending contract offers to successful bidders for Medicare’s Round 1 2017 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. These new …

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CMS proposes new standards to strengthen the Marketplace for 2018

CMS News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2016 Contact: CMS Media Relations (202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today issued the proposed annual Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2018, which proposes additional steps to strengthen the Health Insurance Marketplace. CMS is issuing this rule earlier in the calendar year in …

Physicians and health care providers continue to improve quality of care, lower costs

CMS News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 25, 2016 Contact: CMS Media Relations (202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries Affordable Care Act Accountable Care Organization initiatives put patients at the center of their care while generating more than $1.29 billion in total Medicare savings since 2012 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the 2015 performance year results …

CMS examines inappropriate steering of people eligible for Medicare or Medicaid into Marketplace plans

Concerns raised about impact of 3rd party premium provider & affiliated organization payments The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today issued a request for information seeking public comment on concerns that some health care providers and provider-affiliated organizations may be steering people eligible for, or receiving, Medicare and/or Medicaid benefits into Affordable Care Act-compliant individual market plans, including …

DIAGNOSIS: UNPREPARED Elderly Hospital Patients Arrive Sick, Often Leave Disabled

By Anna Gorman Photos by Heidi de Marco August 9, 2016 SAN FRANCISCO — Janet Prochazka was active and outspoken, living by herself and working as a special education tutor. Then, in March, a bad fall landed her in the hospital. Doctors cared for her wounds and treated her pneumonia. But Prochazka, 75, didn’t sleep or eat well at Zuckerberg …

CMS releases new prescription drug cost data

CMS News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 18, 2016 Contact: CMS Media Relations (202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries Second annual release provides clearer look into Medicare Part D costs and services Continuing the commitment to greater data transparency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) today released privacy-protected data on the prescription drugs that were paid for under the …

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Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model

Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model Date 2016-08-10 Contact press@cms.hhs.gov Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is announcing refinements to the design of the second year of the Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design (MA-VBID) model. The MA-VBID model is an opportunity for Medicare Advantage plans (MA …