News From Around the Web
> Small Western Pennsylvania hospitals struggle with fewer overnight stays, deeper reimbursement cuts and more uncompensated care, forcing them to cut their workforces, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Article
> Ten Vermont hospitals are disputing Medicare reimbursement rules they say would cost them billions, Vermont Public Radio reports. Article
> The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will alter its scoring methodology for nursing homes next year and expand its quality rating system, CMS announced. Announcement
Health Payer News
> HealthCare.gov is new and improved, federal officials say, so insurers and consumers won't have to deal with the technical glitches that hampered open enrollment last year. Article
> Consumers who enrolled in plans sold on the health insurance exchanges are 59 percent more likely to use pricey specialty drugs, particularly medications that treat HIV and hepatitis C, than people with employer-based coverage, according to a new study from Express Scripts. Article
And Finally… Better late than never. Article