Part B News | Part B News

01/01/2013

by: John Commins

Downbeat survey results show widespread discontent among doctors, who are are choosing to work less and see fewer patients. If the trend continues, it is expected to amount to 44,250 full-time equivalents lost from the physician workforce over the next four years.

Physician groups warming up to HIEs

01/01/2013

by: Jacqueline Fellows

Two reports show health information exchanges gaining ground among doctors as barriers—lack of interoperability, lack of information exchange infrastructure, and cost concerns—fall away. More than half of hospital-owned physician groups surveyed say they plan to join a state, hospital, or regional HIE.

Health insurers betting on urgent care centers

01/01/2013

by: Margaret Dick Tocknell

As insurers seek ways to control the price point at the entry level of the healthcare system, health plans such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in Pittsburgh are turning to developing urgent care center networks.

Should you extend your practice hours?

01/01/2013

by: Chelsea Rice

Primary care practices that offer evening and weekend appointments can capture business that might otherwise go to urgent care centers or emergency departments. But at what cost to employees and staff?

Antibiotic use, costs show wide regional variations

01/01/2013

by: Cheryl Clark

A report finds large differences in antibiotic prescribing practices in outpatient settings by state and by region, with the highest rates found in the South. The variation may be explained, in part, by the efforts of health plans to reduce the use of antibiotics without indication.

Prescription drug abuse rates hound providers

01/01/2013

by Jacqueline Fellows

One in three providers avoids flu shots as stakes rise

01/01/2013

by Cheryl Clark

Nerve conduction studies – The more you do, the less you’ll earn in 2013 under CPT changes

12/24/2012

by: Laura Evans

Be ready for a 30% to 60% reduction in reimbursements for nerve conduction studies (NCS) in 2013. Payment for a common service – five NCS and an electromyogram – was $250 in 2012 but will be $138 in 2013 – a 45% reduction.

Plan for months-long delay in receiving higher Medicaid reimbursement in 2013

12/24/2012

by: Karen Long

Primary care practices might have to wait until mid-2013 to see increased Medicaid payments that match Medicare rates. The increase for 2013 and 2014 would more than double payments in some states, such as Montana where Medicaid pays about 40% of Medicare rates.

Case study: How N.Y. ACO controlled spending, set up for increased Medicare pay

12/24/2012

by: Ben Penn

Identify ways to control spending, such as reducing costs per beneficiary by removing unnecessary consults, to avoid the risks and increase your chances for benefits in an accountable care organization (ACO). Crystal Run Healthcare, Middletown, N.Y., launched care coordination reforms in late 2010, leading to CMS approving it as a Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO on April 1.

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