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Candidate Healthcare Plans Would Achieve Disparate Results
Studies conducted by the RAND Corporation and released by the Commonwealth Fund suggest that the healthcare plans from Secretary Clinton and Donald Trump campaigns will lead to opposing results. The reports utilize computer simulations to extrapolate effects of each healthcare plan. For example, the researchers found that Clinton’s tax credits would help lower income Americans spend 33 percent less on out-of-pocket costs. Trump’s plan would increase out-of-pocket costs for Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollees from $300 a year to $2,500 a year. It should be noted that researchers did not review all aspects of each candidate’s plan.
NCQA Releases Commercial Health Plan Rankings
Last week, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) released the latest edition of their Health Insurance Plan Ratings. This document, released annually, provides information on how plans perform regarding consumer satisfaction, treatment, and prevention. In the study, NCQA looked at 1,400 health plans nationwide and rated 503 private plans. The ratings system draws inspiration to CMS’ Star Ratings system of Medicare Advantage plans. Plans in the East and West appear higher on the ratings list than those in the middle of the country, according to the rankings.
Bundled Payments Can Cut Post-Discharge Costs
New research in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that a voluntary bundled payment program operated by CMS has significantly cut costs of surgical procedures. Bundled payments are becoming more common, leaving questions unanswered on overall effectiveness in controlling costs. This study examined 61,000 joint replacements between October 2011 and June 2015. Costs of joint replacement averaged $30,201 at 768 hospitals before introduction of bundled payments. Post-introduction, 176 hospital payments declined to a mean of $207,265. These payments were for episodes of care that extended to 90 days’ post discharge.
US Smartphone Users Reluctant to Download New Apps
Even though smartphone app usage is driving digital media adoption, recent research has revealed that many smartphone users avoid downloading new apps. comScore, a digital marketing firm, found in their 2016 US Mobile App Report that apps have driven the growth of the market over the last three years. On the other hand, the report also revealed that 49 percent of users admit that they do not download any new apps in any given month. On average, smartphone users download two apps per month, with men aged 18-44 more likely to download upwards of five per month.
Genomic Support from EHR Lacking - White Paper
The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) revealed in their new white paper the lack of support for genomic medicine provided by electronic health records. Genomic medicine requires highly accurate, high-quality data that is easily accessible and applicable to the patient care setting. This support is lacking, despite recent improvements. They conclude that for genomic medicine’s potential to be reached, a computer-based infrastructure needs to be built to harness the power of inherent clinical data linked with individual molecular data. These developments allow for storage and real-time utilization of genetic and genomic data from a centrally-managed source.
CAP Proposes Letting Medicare Negotiate Drug Prices
In a report released Monday, the Center for American Progress (CAP), a liberal think tank in Washington, DC, proposed allowing Medicare and other insurers the ability to negotiate drug prices. These insurers would use independent comparative-effectiveness research and arbitration to work out deals with manufacturers. In addition, the paper allows the HHS Secretary to request pricing reviews for already established drugs after the availability of new treatments or significant price increases. This is in response to the EpiPen pricing controversy recently before Congress. CAP suggests that three months after the price is set, HHS will have the option to refer the drug to comparative-effectiveness review based on its price, usage, prevalence and available alternative treatments.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
October 4-5, 2016, Innovation Showcase at House of Sweden in Washington, DC- Please participate in our workgroup meetings to help set the strategy & direction for 2017. Please contact claudia.ellison@ehidc.org
Wednesday, October 19,
2-3 pm ET, Advisory Board on Business and Clinical Motivators
Wednesday, October 26
Who's Doing What With Big Data
Register hereThursday, October 27,
2-3 pm ET, Council of Data Analytics Experts
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Register now for eHI’s Innovation Showcase and Conference! Attend the event that gives you more than just an Innovation Challenge – the program agenda features panels, including industry experts, innovative executives and key policymakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and engage directly with speakers and fellow attendees. This is the perfect forum to have your voice heard among a multi-stakeholder group of industry executives! REGISTER TODAY, view our agenda and learn of the challenge.
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Breakout Sessions New Component of Privacy and Security Roundtable
This week, eHI hosted our quarterly Executive Advisory Board on Privacy and Security in Washington, D.C. Participants heard a presentation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation on cybersecurity threats in the field and the response plans of the Bureau in case of breaches. New to this meeting was a unique breakout session on benchmarking and self-assessment for participants. Also examined was the intersection of privacy and security, which in many institutions are in different departments. To learn more about the Executive Advisory Board, click here.
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AMA Releases Survey on Digital Health
Recently, the American Medical Association (AMA) released a survey examining physician attitudes on digital health. Thirteen hundred physicians were surveyed by the AMA, with 85 percent of respondents seeing either a definite or likely potential for digital tools to have a positive impact on patient health. Researchers also found that doctors are attracted to digital health, as they think it will help them practice more efficiently and improve patient safety. Patient demand is still on the low end. In addition, digital tools must be natively integrated into an EHR platform.
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GAO Hits HHS in HIT Cybersecurity Report
The Government Accountability Office, the supreme auditing institution of the federal government, released a “scathing” report on cyber preparedness in health information technology. HHS has established guidance on covered entities for use in their efforts to comply with HIPAA requirements regarding privacy and security concerns of protected health information. However, it does not address all elements called for by other federal cybersecurity guidance. Specifically, HHS' guidance does not address how covered entities should tailor implementations of security controls identified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to their specific needs. These controls include developing risk responses, among others. Stakeholders have had a tough time complying with HHS requirements for risk assessment and management. They conclude by saying that without more comprehensive guidance, electronic health information stored by covered entities may be at risk.
ONC Releases HIT Playbook into the Field
Electronic health record implementation is in full swing nationwide, but some providers are still struggling to meet meaningful use requirements; this is where the HIT Playbook from ONC comes in. Released earlier this week, the Playbook aims to help solo providers and those in smaller practices get the most out of their existing healthcare IT infrastructure, according to Thomas Mason, MD, CMO of ONC. In order to do that, the playbook is designed around chapters that focus on a wide variety of IT-related topics. In addition, it includes a healthcare glossary of key terms.
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