Oct 8, 2018 | Medicare Advantage, Part D, Payers
CMS recently announced that it projects MA enrollment will grow by 11.5% in 2019, which would be greater than the 8%-9% annual growth rate over the past 10 years, and much greater than expected overall 3% growth in the Medicare population. CMS also projects lower average monthly premiums for MA plans in 2019, as well as lower Part D premiums. Click to read more.
Oct 3, 2018 | Legislation/ Budgets/ Macro
On September 28, President Trump signed a large spending package totaling $855 billion, which avoids a government shutdown through December 7. This brief highlights key parts of the appropriations bill, which includes funding for Labor and Health and Human Services. Click to read more.
Sep 28, 2018 | Managed Care Friday
I ranked my kids last weekend and let’s just say 4 of the 5 kids stormed out of the room, arguing with both my methodology and motives. That I gave my daughter Sophie 20 bonus points simply because I like her best didn’t go over well. The rankings have consequences – fewer chores, better snacks to the top ranked, fewer TV remote privileges to the bottom tier. Rankings matter, maybe not so much in college sports where post-season committees at times pick tournament teams based more so on popularity and history than performance; but they matter, and increasingly in healthcare. Jodie, 58, told...
Sep 21, 2018 | Managed Care Friday
1. 25: That’s the number of attempts of suicide estimated per suicide death. It’s a tragic stat and one that has created a new support model in Europe. Emergency medical services obviously can play an incredible role in managing patients who have attempted suicide in getting them to proper care. In London, the Ambulance Services NHS Trust is recruiting Mental Health Practitioners to increase their 24/7 specialist-enhanced clinical assessments and to support people who have called the service for mental health issues. They are looking for practitioners who can make clinical decisions, and...
Sep 20, 2018 | Legislation/ Budgets/ Macro
In the current election cycle and very likely in the 2020 Presidential election cycle, Democratic candidates are embracing further expansion of federal government healthcare programs. This brief discusses this policy direction, which has been termed “Medicare For All.” Click to read more.
