Action For Better Healthcare » Finally a roadmap for a coordinated approach to patient care

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released their long anticipated regulations dealing with ten pages of the 2,200-page March 2010 Affordable Care Act. Those ten pages are really the crux of what healthcare reform is all about and it is to improve the way we provide healthcare in this country. 

Although these regulations required another 400 plus pages of explanation at least patients, families and caregivers now have an “expectation roadmap” outlining how the care they receive can be better. For the first time we have clear-cut targets to help us successfully achieve two-thirds of the triple aim – improving the quality of care and improving  patient/family satisfaction with their care. The third part of the triple aim, monetary savings, should occur as a byproduct of the above clinical improvements. 

Many doctors, nurses and others I talk with find the proposed regulations overwhelming and confusing. But remember, CMS is looking to us now for suggestions on how the recommendations can be improved before they become final. So be sure to contribute your comments.

via actionforbetterhealthcare.com

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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

CMS Programs & Information

CMS Programs & Information-->

Medicare Provider Enrollment & Certification Fee-for-Service Payment Coverage CMS Forms Health Plans Coding Prescription Drug Coverage More...	Regulations & Guidance Manuals Transmittals Quarterly Provider Updates Legislation Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) More...
Medicaid Medicaid Waiver & Demonstration Projects Medicaid Consumer Enrollment & Coverage Medicaid Prescription Drugs More...	Research, Statistics, Data, & Systems CMS Information Technology Statistics, Trends, & Reports Computer Data & Systems More...
CHIP Low-Cost Health Insurance National CHIP Policy More...	Outreach & Education Medicare Learning Network Partner with CMS Training More...
About CMS Agency Information Career Information More...	Resources & Tools Frequently Asked Questions CMS Events & Conferences Mailing Lists More...

via cms.gov

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Accountable Care Organizations: Improving Care Coordination for People with Medicare | HealthCare.gov

The Affordable Care Act includes a number of policies to help physicians, hospitals, and other caregivers improve the safety and quality of patient care and make health care more affordable.  By focusing on the needs of patients and linking payments to outcomes, these delivery system reforms will help improve the health of individuals and communities and slow cost growth.

On March 31, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released proposed new rules to help doctors, hospitals, and other providers better coordinate care for Medicare patients through Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).  ACOs create incentives for health care providers to work together to treat an individual patient across care settings – including doctor’s offices, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.  The Medicare Shared Savings Program will reward ACOs that lower growth in health care costs while meeting performance standards on quality of care and putting patients first.  Patient and provider participation in an ACO is purely voluntary.

via healthcare.gov

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Want Medicare To Pay For Home Care? See Your Doctor : Shots - Health Blog : NPR

Starting next month, seniors getting health care in their homes will have to see a doctor to make sure they actually need the service. Otherwise Medicare won't pay.

Sounds logical, right?

Not so, says a coalition of health providers and consumer groups that complains the rule is overly burdensome on seniors and doctors.

 

Home health agencies, doctor and consumer groups say frail, homebound seniors won't be able to get to a doctor's office because of their health status or lack of doctors in rural areas.

They also worry that many doctors are either unaware of the new regulation or won't know how to comply with its documentation requirements that call on physicians to certify they or another health care provider, such as a nurse practitioner, have seen a patient for the specific reason of certifying the need for home health care.

"There is a lot of confusion out there, and patients may lose access to their care," said Nora Super, an AARP lobbyist.

via npr.org

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Andrew Lopez, RN
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856-415-9617, (fax) 415-9618

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