Data and technology, once simply functional assets to facilitate health care, are now a leading force for health care advancement, improvement of health care outcomes, and control of costs. Yet the panoply of technologies has not optimized information for one key actor: the patient. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is attempting to […]
Let’s Put an End to What Blocks Providers and Patients from Controlling Health Care Costs
We often blame providers for not controlling health care costs. We also put the onus on patients who overuse care inappropriately and make bad choices. But the fact is that control of health care costs is extremely complicated, and we have effectively blocked both providers and patients from controlling health care costs. Since the birth […]
Multi-Payer VBC Strategy Is Essential for Cost Control, but Providers Must Get a Fair Deal
To meet its goals of controlling costs and improving patient care, Value-Based Care requires a near-universal, multi-payer strategy.
5 Things I Learned from Speaking at the Spring Managed Care Forum
One of my favorite professional activities is to speak to a broad health care audience and get feedback on their response to reform initiatives. Last week I spoke at the Spring Managed Care Forum in Orlando, Florida. The Fall and Spring forums are a favorite venue for me, and I never fail to get new […]
Why Hospital Giants Are the Next Battleground in the War on Costs
Hospitals are just emerging from several years of post-pandemic planning and correction, when sustainability was the overriding issue. Now consolidation has driven up costs—largely by improving health systems’ negotiating power. Indeed, most studies show that after mergers, whether vertical, horizontal, regional, or national, the costs are higher. New federal budget proposals on the table are […]
3 Essentials to Cut Health Care Costs Without Cutting Patient Care
There is an understandable fear and a little outrage right now about health care budget cuts. Some proposed cuts will raise the amount of unfunded care for hospitals and physicians if Medicaid coverage is reduced, and impact patients in nursing homes. Other proposals will eliminate offsets for medical debt or physician education through residency programs. […]
Strategies for Right Now to Control Patient Care Costs
Policymaker confidence in Value-Based Care and the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model has, so far, prevailed despite only small overall savings. There is still enduring belief that ACOs can rationalize health care and produce affordability by transformative strategies. But here’s where wishes and reality conflict: ACOs have, until now, lacked the data and tools to […]
These Five Trends Are Steering Your Future Path to Value-Based Care
Buckle your seat belt. Health care is changing at warp speed. The Value-Based Care movement and leaps in technology and Artificial Intelligence are rapidly generating advances that will transform the health care environment. These factors will redefine health care providers and services, and how consumers access them. How you respond strategically will determine your survival […]
How AI May Help – and Hurt – Your ACO
Artificial Intelligence (AI) advances are big news, but the daily onslaught of AI applications in health care is overwhelming. There’s no question that health care is fertile ground for AI. Health care is expensive, highly technical, complicated, and equally frustrating for patients and providers alike. It’s also rich in data—a mostly untapped resource for both […]
Supercharge Your ACO to Compete Under Risk
Never has it been more important for ACOs to amp up Value with significantly higher cost savings and outcomes performance. More payment models are risk-based, changing economics for providers. Corporate health care and equity-backed practices are nabbing ACO physicians, making it hard for ACOs to sustain and grow. The next two years may be the […]