News From Around the Web
> Deloitte has launched a new approach to electronic health record implementation and maintenance called Evergreen, intended to save hospitals money. The approach helps lower costs by using a global staffing model and standardized design that works to improve clinical optimization. It is expected to help hospitals as they transition more to value-based care and payment models. Announcement
> The government is looking to fill openings on the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's Policy and Health IT Standards Committees. Nominations for the Policy Committee should be submitted to the Government Accountability Office by Feb. 27. Applications for the Standards Committee must be submitted to ONC by March 6. GAO website and Federal Register post
Health Finance News
> Hospitals added a seasonally adjusted 9,600 jobs in January compared to December 2014, reaching a total of 4.82 million, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's an overall increase of 56,200 total jobs compared to January 2014. But if the seasonal adjustment is removed, January's net gain is reversed and becomes a loss of 9,300 jobs. However, the overall year-over-year gain jumps to 58,500 jobs. Article
> The American Hospital Association and other providers are pushing back against a proposed Obama administration policy change that would introduce much greater site neutrality regarding how they are paid. Such a change would likely prevent many providers from charging more at outpatient facilities that are owned by hospitals than if they had been owned by medical practices. That has been the bane of many patients who wind up seeking care at physician offices or outpatient facilities that have been acquired by hospitals, causing higher bills or out-of-pocket costs compared to past visits. Article
Health Insurance News
> Between 2009 and 2013, patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) supported by payment incentives not only increased in number--from 26 to 114--but also in patients served, from 5 million to 21 million, according to a recent report from the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC). The report examined two big experiments run by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI): a four-year program called the Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) Initiative and a three-year test called the Multi-Payer Advanced Primary Care Practice Demonstration. Article
> Almost 6.5 million consumers who purchased coverage in states using Healthcare.gov saved an average of $268 a month on their premiums, according to new data from the Department of Health and Human Services. Article
And Finally... Insult or not, they'll probably still come for the food. Article