UnitedHealthcare was an early proponent of value-based care and is well positioned now that value is increasingly seen as a healthcare solution. Providers will have to demonstrate that they provide better care at a lower cost.
For the upcoming federal fiscal year, Medicare payment rules and methodologies for hospital inpatient care feature a payment-rate hike and $800 million increase in uncompensated-care reimbursement.
With Congressional delays in Medicaid disproportionate share funding cuts set to expire Sept. 30, CMS issues a proposed rule that details billions in reductions that will begin in 2018.
Researchers and advocacy groups have raised concerns that hospitals might not readmit patients out of fear of financial penalties associated with HRRP, thus increasing post-discharge mortality. Those fears appear to be unfounded.
