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Chronic Disease Management • Technology • Strategy • Issues and Trends

Archive for May, 2008

Latest Edition of the Health Wonk Review at InsureBlog

The latest edition of the Health Wonk Review has been posted at InsureBlog…it’s straightforward, concise, no schtick.  Thanks to Hank Stern! No tag for this post.

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Extra: Will $87 Per Hour Rescue Primary Care?

Since the AMA has issued some “real” numbers relating to the RUC’s recommendations for valuing the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH), I’ve added a fourth part to this series. The June 2 issue of American Medical News provides payment scenarios for a medical home: Tags: care coordination, EMR, medical home, primary care

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The Medical Home: Pull the RUC Out

This third and final post in the series addresses questions about the future of the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCHM): What’s problematic about using the RUC methodology with the PCMH? What’s the optimal level for a PCMH care management fee? Should primary care leaders pull the RUC out? How?  What’s Problematic About Using the RUC Methodology [...]

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The Medical Home Hits the RUC

Today’s post (#2 in a series) tackles several questions: What is the American Medical Association/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC)? What is the RUC’s role in the Medicare Medical Home Demonstration project? How are people reacting to RUC recommendations for PCMH reimbursement levels? What is the American Medical Association/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC)? The AMA [...]

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The Medical Home: Confusion Over Care Management Fees

The honeymoon is over. Prior to April 29, 2008, reviews of the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model  had been uniformly enthusiastic and positive. Today the PCMH model is hitting reality — someone’s going to have to bring home money to pay the bills. On April 29 the American Medical Association/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC) released a  report making [...]

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Healthways Fights an Uphill Battle on Medicare Health Support Phase II

Earlier this week Healthways issued a press release describing their progress in pursuing a Phase II Medicare Health Support (MHS) project.   Read Dr. Jaan Sidorov’s blog commentary for additional background. In brief, Healthways position is that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is statutorily required to expand into Phase II of MHS if Phase I is “successful”. [...]

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Perspectives on the Upcoming 5th Annual Healthcare Unbound Conference

 The Healthcare Unbound Conference is a highlight of my year and I always look forward to it! What’s so special about this conference? First, the caliber of the people attending.  It’s a stimulating mix of high-level clinical, technical and business types.  The energy is flowing and many people have told me how much they like [...]

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Health Wonk Review at the Medical Humanities Blog

Daniel Goldberg of the Medical Humanities Blog has posted the latest edition of the Health Wonk Review. Daniel puts a unique slant on his writing: As I see it, the key role for a medical humanist – if they wish to be consistent with an ethos of medieval and Renaissance humanists – is to focus [...]

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