Cyber attacks on health care are raising cyber insurance costs; Democrats and Republicans clash over what constitutes a cut vs a reform; rural hospitals begin conversion under a new federal payment program.
Addressing an Increase of Cyber Attacks on Health Care
An overwhelming amount of cyber attacks is causing a serious problem for hospitals, resulting in a steep increase in cyber insurance costs, according to Axios. In response to these threats, insurers are urging health care systems to tighten up their security, using strategies such as strong data backup, multi-factor authentication, employee security training, and network segmentation. Last week, the Biden administration announced its first national cybersecurity strategy, which aims build a federal cyber insurance backstop that would help protect insurers against losses while lowering the cost of insurance.
Debates Over Medicare and Social Security Spending: Cuts vs Reforms
Republicans and Democrats are engaged in a debate over language when it comes to defining what is a cut vs a reform in Medicare and Social Security, according to The Hill. Republicans have proposed what they deemed as necessary safety-net “reforms,” including hiking eligibility ages, reducing benefits for wealthier seniors, and cost-of-living adjustments. However, Democrats argue that anything proposed that limited Medicare and Social Security should be considered major cuts to these programs, not reforms.
The First of Rural Emergency Hospital Conversions to Begin
More than 1700 rural facilities are eligible for conversion in to a Rural Emergency Hospital under a new federal payment program by CMS, according to Kaiser Health News. Facilities that convert with get a 5% increase in Medicaid payments and an average annual facility fee payment of about $3.2 million in exchange for converting to an emergency and outpatient practice, rather than an inpatient facility. This program is meant to act as a temporary solution to address an overwhelming number of rural hospitals that have shut down since 2010.
Hospital Stays and Probable Dementia as Predictors of Relocation to Long-Term Care Facilities
October 22nd 2024This article explores late-life relocations in patients with dementia, hospital stays, and their implications for health care policy, geriatric care, and future research priorities.
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Bridging the Vaccination Gap: Insights on Global Immunization Challenges
July 30th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Jeffery A. Goad, PharmD, MPH, 2024-2025 president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, on the recent report from the World Health Organization and UNICEF on public immunization rates, with national and global health implications.
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Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Health Equity by Design
July 23rd 2024Melissa Clarke, MD, CMQ, the chief health equity officer at Elevance Health, explains "Health Equity by Design" and how Elevance Health is committed to ensuring a personalized and intentional approach for all its members.
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Cost Savings From an mHealth Tool for Improving Medication Adherence
October 21st 2024The Wellth smartphone app significantly increased medication adherence and lowered unnecessary health care utilization and costs over 9 months among Medicaid beneficiaries who were self-managing chronic conditions.
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