Medicare

Despite the implementation of the Kidney Allocation System in 2014, black and Hispanic patients — as well as those receiving Medicare instead of holding private insurance —continue to have lower odds of preemptive kidney transplantation, according to a recently published study.

The American College of Rheumatology in comments submitted to CMS praised the agency for provisions added to the CY2020 Physician Fee Schedule that would increase Medicare reimbursement for E/M services, while also calling for further changes.

I recently wrote a commentary on selective laser trabeculoplasty for glaucoma in the June 10, 2019, issue of Ocular Surgery News. In this commentary, I would like to extend my thoughts to include some points on the economics of office practice.

Access to surgery and radioactive iodine therapy for papillary thyroid cancer is greater for adults with private health insurance than for those without insurance, and cancer severity at diagnosis is often less for those with insurance, according to findings published in Thyroid. 

Spending on post-acute care for multiple medical and surgical conditions was 68% to 230% higher among Medicare beneficiaries compared with commercially insured patients, although readmission rates were similar in both groups, according to study findings published in Health Affairs.

A new report on the second performance year of the Comprehensive End-Stage Renal Disease Care Model shows improvements in patient outcomes, including reduced hospitalizations and more dialysis sessions prescribed to patients.

As time goes by, I realize my clinical comfort zone is shrinking.

Despite 52 amendments added to the legislation just last week, the California Senate voted 21-19 on Sept. 9 to accept the changes and approve A.B. 290, a bill aimed at restricting dialysis provider profits in the state and limiting the use of third-party payers, like the American Kidney Fund.

Dermatological hospital readmission rates have remained constant, leading researchers to suggest improvements in both outpatient management of skin diseases and inpatient care.

The government took a bold step in payment reform in July with the announcement of five new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation-designed payment models for physicians and dialysis providers. Ultimately, this movement away from fee-for-service payment toward value-based reimbursement is a fundamental step in the process of aligning health care providers around the holistic care for patients, especially upstream in chronic kidney disease.