News From Around the Web
> The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plans a "major revision" to a government system that offers quality ratings for nursing homes around the country by improving usability and increasing the number and types of quality measures used. The proposed revisions to Nursing Home Compare, a consumer evaluation tool that's similar to Hospital Compare, are slated for mid-December. CMS presentation (.pdf)
> Three foundations plan to hire about 35 people to conduct outreach to help Connecticut residents sign up for healthcare coverage during the second round of open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act, which begins Nov. 15, the CT Mirror reports. The program is supposed to supplement a sign-up effort by the state's health insurance exchange, Access Health CT, that critics worry doesn't go far enough to reach the uninsured. Article
> As Washington state's healthcare exchange prepares for its second open enrollment period, officials continue to try and resolve billing and computer problems involving about 1,300 accounts from the previous round of sign-ups, according to AP. Article
Provider News
> The challenges of healthcare reform have forced hospital boards to change the way they do business, with many hospitals now looking for board members who will challenge the status quo. Article
Healthcare Finance News
> Hospital employment, which has been flat as of late, is continuing to experience modest increases, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment at U.S. hospitals increased 0.13 percent during the month of September--6,200 more jobs than August and 23,500 more jobs than in September 2013. Article
Mobile Healthcare News
> A new Mayo Clinic initiative aims to provide patients with real-time interactive communication with healthcare providers using high-definition videoconferencing via digital medical devices in a walk-in kiosk setting. Article
And finally … Add these plants to your garden next year--your neighbors will be green with envy. Slideshow