The number of beneficiaries in traditional Medicare using telehealth exploded 63-fold in 2020 from 840,000 in 2019 to nearly 52.7 million, a new study found. The study, released Friday (PDF) by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), comes as advocates are pressing to make key flexibilities the federal government enabled at the start […]
Medicare Advantage plans hold up their end of the contract with CMS, and provide, at a minimum, a fair reimbursement for services delivered. The physician advisor is a fast-growing specialty that has evolved into so much more than someone who performs endless chart reviews for observation status determinations, medical necessity reviews, peer-to-peer conversations with payors, […]
For most readers the results of this analysis will be amazing but true. Longtime RACmonitor contributor and R1 Physician Advisory Services Vice President Dr. Ronald Hirsch recently pointed site Publisher Chuck Buck in the direction of something that, frankly, wowed him: a PhD thesis from a young Columbia University student on the topic of […]
CMS attributes the increases in part to rising prices and utilization across the healthcare system, as well as Aduhelm. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $170.10 for 2022, an increase of $21.60 from $148.50 in 2021. This represents a 14.5% increase. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries […]
The survey found that median provider salary and benefits expense as a percent of net revenue increased from 72.1 percent to 84.9 percent, which is the outcome of provider compensation being protected during the COVID-19 pandemic combined with decreased productivity. In addition, the survey showed a net revenue decrease from 24.2 percent to 22.8 percent […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized 2022 payments and policies under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). The rule includes updates to payment rates for physicians and other healthcare professionals for calendar year (CY) 2022; expands the use of telehealth for mental health; clarifies policies related to split (shared) visits, critical […]
CMS says it the goal is to support health equity while focusing on high-quality person-centered care. Increased leverage of telehealth for behavioral care, diabetes prevention and mitigation, and enhanced payment for vaccine administration were three out of many priorities cited by federal officials who announced the release of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid […]
Provider-sponsored health plans can be naturally aligned with value-based care goals while also being attuned to providers’ needs. Providence Health Assurance’s Medicare Advantage provider-sponsored health plan received a five-star rating through the CMS Medicare Advantage Star Ratings system for the 2022 Medicare open enrollment season. The health plan, which serves Oregon and Washington State, is […]
“Medicare Advantage plans have a unique and growing opportunity to address the needs of socioeconomically vulnerable populations and improve their health,” reports America’s Health Insurance Plans. More plans for individuals with low incomes, as well as targeted SDOH investments and initiatives, round out carrier approaches. On the benefits side, offerings such as meals, transportation, […]
More plans will offer meals, nutrition, transportation or in-home support services at a $0 premium in 2022. Ahead of the annual election period, which began on October 15, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published information on MA and Part D plan (PDP) premiums, benefit offerings and star ratings. Avalere analyzed that data […]










