Health Care Cost

Just as diabetes care started the movement toward population management, it is leading the way to new payment models, according to speakers who appeared at a symposium to open the 75th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association.

New Jersey lawmakers want physicians to accept in-network rates if patients use their in-network hospital in an emergency. Other disputes would go to arbitration.

This is the third year that CMS has released Medicare payment data, and this year the agency added information on prescription drugs.

While the clinical data presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) created waves, a session on value had an equally significant impact as oncologists thronged to hear stakeholder voices define this, as yet abstract, concept of "value" in cancer care. The session brought together a patient representative, an oncologist, an ASCO representative, and a payer.

A new payment model through the Affordable Care Act seeks to decrease cardiovascular disease for tens of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries by assessing patient risks for heart attack and stroke and then helping them to reduce those risks.

The suits are on behalf of providers and health insurance customers and involve some famous plaintiffs' attorneys.