For many community oncology practices, 2018 was the year that value-based care became a financial and clinical reality. For example, CMS provided those participating in the Oncology Care Model (OCM) program with results from their first two “performance periods.” Practices received not only detailed feedback on their success against measures – but, in many cases, […]
Earlier this year, Oncology Care Model (OCM) practices received their first set of performance results for Performance Period 1, measuring the period of time with episodes between July 1st of 2016 and January 1st of 2017. These included the PP1 Initial Reconciliation Report and the PP1 MEOS Recoupment Report. These early assessments indicated that many […]
The rising prominence of the Triple Aim has increased pressure on EMS providers to optimize patient satisfaction and reduce healthcare costs – all while still attending to medical emergencies. This financial burden is exacerbated by industry competition, rising expenses (liability insurance, equipment, fuel, etc.) and process inefficiency. As a result, many organizations are turning to […]
Integra Connect’s Revenue Cycle Management Solution for EMS services has received the JEMS “Hot Product” Award for 2018. The Hot Product award is exclusive to the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) and is only given to those products and services that are truly making a difference in the EMS Industry. During the 2018 EMS […]
OCM Performance Period 1 Results Revealed an Unwelcome Surprise In February, practices participating in the Oncology Care Model (OCM) program received their Performance Period 1 (PP1) initial reconciliation reports, which summarized actual expenditures from July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, and determined whether total episodic costs of care were higher or lower than CMS […]
New Medicare Card Project Impacts Providers In 2015, as part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), Medicare announced plans to transition the Medicare number from current state – a beneficiary’s social security number with an alpha prefix/suffix, up to 11 characters – to a new format that does not include the social […]
What do you do if you arrive on scene to find a patient who is pale and bordering on delirium in obvious pain? Your training kicks in – all of your senses alert and observing, probing, questioning, prompting and assessing every available vital statistic within moments of clapping eyes on the situation. In mere seconds, […]
It has been well-documented that many physicians are confused by value-based reimbursement models under the Quality Payment Program – but interestingly enough, little has been discussed about how prepared specialists are for this regulation. After all, specialists manage some of the nation’s sickest patients and costliest treatments and, therefore, may have the most to lose […]
By now, most physicians are aware of the transition to value-based care (VBC) and the financial ramifications that come with adopting various new reimbursement models. Under MACRA, clinicians must participate in MIPS and/or an advanced APM – resulting in reimbursement that can potentially cause an income variation of $131,600 per provider for the average oncology […]
Traditionally, primary care physicians (PCPs) have been the designated coordinators of care and the place where the rubber meets the road in population health and accountable care programs. However, for 40% of the American population that suffers from chronic medical conditions, it is often the specialist that is taking the lead. Specialty care often requires […]