iHealthBeat: Health Care Transparency

CMS Details Approach to New Star Ratings on Hospital Compare Site

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:53:00 Z

CMS has issued a new report detailing the methodology behind its new overall star rating system for hospitals, which is intended to summarize overly complicated data and make the site more user friendly. However, the American Hospital Association says the methodology "oversimplifies" health care delivery. Becker's Infection Control & Clinical Quality, Modern Healthcare.

Medical Journal Editors Stump To Require Clinical Trial Data Sharing

Thu, 21 Jan 2016 18:17:00 Z

An editorial published by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors proposes requiring researchers to share de-identified data collected under clinical trials as a condition of publishing their results. The proposal also calls for researchers to develop data-sharing plans as part of clinical trial registration. MedCity News et al.

Online Dashboard Aims To Bolster Transparency of Rx Drug Spending

Tue, 22 Dec 2015 18:27:00 Z

The Obama administration has launched a new online dashboard that aims to improve transparency of Medicare prescription drug prices. CMS officials say individuals can use the online tool to compare trends in prescription use and pricing over the last five years. The Hill et al.

Docs Would Benefit From Encouraging More Online Patient Reviews

Fri, 18 Dec 2015 17:42:00 Z

A study published in JAMA Dermatology suggests physicians should encourage patients to leave online reviews because too few reviews could skew However, the American Medical Association warns that "[o]nline opinions of physicians should be taken with a grain of salt" and that "[c]hoosing a physician is more complicated than choosing a good restaurant." Reuters.

Investigation Finds Few Institutions Disclose Data to ClinicalTrials.gov

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 18:32:00 Z

An investigation by STAT News finds that many research institutions required by law to disclose clinical trial data to ClinicalTrials.gov fail to do so on time or at all. The investigation finds some of the worst offenders include Stanford University, University of California-San Diego, University of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh. STAT News.

CMS Posts New Quality Data on Physician, Hospital Compare Sites

Fri, 11 Dec 2015 17:35:00 Z

CMS has posted new quality performance data on its Physician Compare and Hospital Compare websites. The American Medical Association says it is "dismayed" that the agency included individual physician performance data on the Physician Compare site, saying it could prompt consumer confusion. Modern Healthcare et al.

Do CMS' Compare Websites Help Patients Make Informed Health Care Choices?

Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:30:00 Z

Adams Dudley of the University of California-San Francisco, CMS' Kate Goodrich, Ashish Jha of the Harvard School of Public Health and Lynn Quincy of Consumers Union spoke with iHealthBeat about federal efforts to boost health care quality transparency.

High Court Hears Oral Arguments in Health Data Collection Case

Thu, 03 Dec 2015 17:30:00 Z

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that centers around whether Vermont can require self-insured health plans to provide claims data for the state's all-payer claims database. Some industry experts note that a ruling against the state could have implications for other state health IT initiatives that aim to improve the health care system. Wall Street Journal et al.

Experts Weigh In on Accuracy of Online Health Care Cost Estimators

Wed, 02 Dec 2015 17:30:00 Z

As patients take on a larger share of their medical costs, health insurers increasingly are offering online health care costs estimators. Some industry experts have questioned the accuracy of such tools and say more can be done to improve the results, while others say the industry's payment process poses a challenge to improvement efforts. Kaiser Health News/NPR's "Shots."

CMS Plans To Post Duals Demonstration Quality Data Online

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 19:24:00 Z

CMS has outlined a star-rating system for health plans participating in an Affordable Care Act demonstration program for individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Until such a system can be created, CMS says it plans to post quality performance data on the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office website. Modern Healthcare, CMS letter.

OpenNotes Initiative Helps Boost Medication Adherence, Study Finds

Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:43:00 Z

A new study finds that allowing patients to access doctors' notes through their electronic health records can boost medication adherence. The researchers say providing patients with such access "is a cost-effective and efficient way to influence medication-taking behavior." Health IT Analytics, Healthcare IT News.

Maine Launches New Health Care Price, Quality Comparison Website

Tue, 03 Nov 2015 18:41:00 Z

Maine has launched a new website that allows residents to compare the prices for common medical procedures across the state. The site also allows users to compare health care providers based on quality measures, such as patient satisfaction scores and infection rates. Portland Press Herald, FierceHealthFinance.

Technology Support for More Transparent Hospital Pricing -- It's Surprisingly Complicated

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:00:00 Z

Improving hospital pricing transparency is harder than it sounds. Hospitals are stuck between old and new payment incentives and models and the operational realities of their current information systems and processes. For hospitals today, IT is both a requirement for more transparent pricing and a barrier.

Employers Use Online Tools, Financial Incentives To Cut Health Costs

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 16:50:00 Z

Amid rising health care costs, some employers are leveraging online tools that offer financial incentives to workers for being savvy health care shoppers. One such tool, SmartShopper, helped the New Hampshire Health Trust save an estimated $826,000 in health care costs after making the program available to about 47,000 enrollees. AP/Sacramento Bee.

CMS Releases Updated Star Ratings on Hospital Compare Website

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:28:00 Z

CMS has updated its Hospital Compare website to reflect new data from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2014. CMS awarded 207 hospitals a five-star rating on its Hospital Compare website, while more than 700 hospitals received just one or two stars. Becker's Infection Control & Clinical Quality.

CMS Posts Updated Star Ratings for Medicare Dialysis Facilities Online

Fri, 09 Oct 2015 17:00:00 Z

CMS has published updated ratings for nearly 6,000 dialysis centers to its Medicare's Dialysis Facility Compare website. The site launched in January as part of a broader federal effort to increase transparency. However, kidney-care providers have criticized the ratings system for grading on a curve. Modern Healthcare.

SCOTUS' Docket Includes Vermont Health Data Collection Law Case

Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:25:00 Z

The U.S. Supreme Court's new term begins today. One of the cases justices will hear centers on the legality of a requirement under Vermont law for self-funded insurers to submit certain information upon request to the state's database. Oral arguments are expected to begin in December or January 2016. Modern Healthcare.

Fla. Gov. Calls for Hospitals To Publish Pricing, Financial Data Online

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 17:21:00 Z

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has unveiled several proposals that would require hospitals to disclose their pricing and financial information online. Scott says he will work with state lawmakers to pass the proposals during next year's legislative session. Tampa Bay Times' "The Buzz" et al.

BCBS Health Plans Contribute Cost, Quality Data to New Repository

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 17:37:00 Z

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has announced a new repository to provide members with more cost and quality data. All 36 BCBS plans will contribute information to the system, which will be housed on its Blue Cross Blue Shield Axis database. Healthcare IT News et al.

Groups File Amicus Brief Supporting Vt. All-Payer Claims Database

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 17:37:00 Z

In an amicus brief regarding a lawsuit over Vermont's all-payer claims database, the American Hospital Association and the American Association of Medical Colleges argue the state should be able to gather data from self-funded insurers. The case will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Health IT Security et al.

Computer Program Helps University of Utah Health Care Cut Costs

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 17:45:00 Z

University of Utah Health Care has created a computer program to track detailed outcome and cost measures and estimate the cost of patient care. Over the past few years, the program has helped UUHC decrease its costs by an average of 0.5% a year, while costs at other academic medical systems in the region have climbed by an average of 2.9% annually. New York Times.

Hospital Group Questions CMS' Methodology for New Rating System

Tue, 25 Aug 2015 17:59:00 Z

America's Essential Hospitals, which represents 250 safety-net hospitals across the country, says CMS' new star-rating system for its Hospital Compare website may not provide accurate assessments of hospital quality because the agency's methodology does not consider certain socio-economic factors. Modern Healthcare, RevCycle Intelligence.

Yelp Partners With ProPublica To Expand Data on Health Care Listings

Wed, 05 Aug 2015 17:46:00 Z

Yelp, a website that publishes consumer reviews of local businesses, says it has teamed up with the not-for-profit ProPublica to add data on more than 25,000 health care providers to its listings. Yelp executives say the goal is to make CMS data easily accessible and understandable for consumers. Washington Post's "To Your Health."

CMS Updates Star Ratings on Hospital Compare Website

Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:43:00 Z

Updated data on CMS' Hospital Compare website show 336 hospitals received five star ratings -- up from 251 in April -- but nearly 600 hospitals received just one or two stars. The updated data are based on Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey results for the reporting period from October 2013 to September 2014. Healthcare Finance, HCAHPS survey data.

Data Key to a Precision Medicine Future

Mon, 27 Jul 2015 11:00:00 Z

ProPublica's recent release of the Surgeon Scorecard represents the future of medicine and our path toward precision medicine through more open data. We're moving toward a new evidence-based way of doing medicine, where everyone who makes a decision, including patients, will want more data.

N.H. Price Transparency Website Could Be Model for Other States

Tue, 21 Jul 2015 16:36:00 Z

A New Hampshire website that provides consumers with estimates of insurer and out-of-pocket costs for health care services could be a model for other states. The initiative has prompted consumers to seek out lower-cost care settings and has influenced price negotiations between insurers and providers. Modern Healthcare.

CMS Launches Rating System on Home Health Compare Website

Fri, 17 Jul 2015 16:22:00 Z

CMS for the first time has unveiled star ratings for home health agencies on its Home Health Compare website. The agency awarded five stars to just 239 out of 12,261 eligible home health agencies, while 201 agencies received one or 1.5 stars Health Data Management, Kaiser Health News.

ProPublica Publishes Online Scorecard of Surgeon Complication Rates

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:48:00 Z

ProPublica has made public an online scorecard the details risk-adjusted complication rates for nearly 17,000 individual surgeons at more than 3,500 U.S. hospitals. The rates are based on an analysis of Medicare data from 2009 to 2013 and focus on eight elective procedures. ProPublica.

Report: 45 States Earn 'F' for Health Care Price Transparency

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 17:58:00 Z

The Catalyst for Payment Reform and the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute's third annual report card on health care price transparency gives 45 states "F" grades. New Hampshire was the only state to receive an "A" grade after it launched a consumer-focused price transparency website. Modern Healthcare et al.

CMS' Open Payments Website Updated With Full-Year 2014 Data

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 17:37:00 Z

CMS has published payment data for more than 600,000 physicians and 1,100 hospitals in 2014 to its Open Payments database, marking the first time such data has been released for an entire year. The data show providers received $6.49 billion in payments from drugmakers and medical device manufacturers in 2014. Wall Street Journal et al.

CMS To Post Critical Access Hospital Data on Hospital Compare

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 17:43:00 Z

In response to a letter from the American Hospital Association, CMS says it will include data submitted by critical access hospitals in its July update to the Hospital Compare website. AHA had expressed its disappointment that such data were not included in CMS' April update. AHA News, AHA Letter.

Where Did the Excitement Go at Health Datapalooza?

Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:00:00 Z

Despite advances on the technology and policy fronts, stakeholders believe the promise of health IT is taking too long to realize. Huge barriers still stand in the way, and health care reform will continue to take several more years.

AMA Adopts Policies To Increase Transparency of Health Data, Prices

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 18:12:00 Z

The American Medical Association has adopted several additional health IT-related policies, including two that aim to bolster transparency of health care data and prices. In addition, AMA adopted a policy that would create and distribute best practice guidelines for mobile health applications. Becker's Hospital Review et al.

Officials Stump for Patient Data Access; CVS, HHS Team Up

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 17:59:00 Z

Last week, former National Coordinator for Health IT Farzad Mostashari promoted an initiative to boost patients' access to their health data and designated July 4 as "Data Independence Day." Meanwhile, National Coordinator for Health IT Karen DeSalvo announced that CVS Health will provide preventive health services information from HHS on its MinuteClinic websites. Clinical Innovation & Technology et al.

Medicare Posts 2013 Hospital, Physician Payment Data Online

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 18:13:00 Z

Today, CMS unveiled three new online data sets that show Medicare physician payments and hospitals' charges and payments in 2013. The data, which are available to the public, include more than 3,000 hospitals and more than $150 billion in total payments. Modern Healthcare et al.

Stakeholders Debate Pros, Cons of Clinical Note Sharing Initiatives

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 17:32:00 Z

Health care providers are increasingly granting patients access to their clinical notes through patient portals, which some stakeholders say could help patients to be more engaged in their health care and help them to catch mistakes in their health records. However, others argue that note sharing could lead to patient confusion and negatively affect patient care. Kaiser Health News.

U.S. News Releases New Hospital Quality Online Rating System

Thu, 21 May 2015 17:44:00 Z

U.S. News & World Report has unveiled a new Best Hospitals for Common Care ratings system that grades the performance of thousands of U.S. hospitals on five common surgical procedures and conditions. A U.S. News official says the website could offer ratings for more than a dozen other elective procedures by 2016. Modern Healthcare et al.

HHS Reveals Plans To Make HealthData.gov More User-Friendly

Mon, 11 May 2015 17:27:00 Z

HHS this summer will launch an updated version of HealthData.gov to improve the usability of its datasets. The website, which launched in 2011, currently contains more than 1,900 datasets on health issues, such as disease incidence rates and hospital Medicare costs. Federal News Radio, FierceHealthIT.

FDA Launches Searchable Database of Tracked Medical Devices

Fri, 08 May 2015 17:19:00 Z

FDA has launched a new beta database that contains information on medical devices that are tracked using unique device identifiers. The beta version, which updates each business day, has basic search functionality, and FDA plans to add advanced features in the future. Modern Healthcare, AccessGUDID.

New Initiative Aims To Improve Access to Reliable Cost, Quality Data

Tue, 05 May 2015 17:37:00 Z

The Center for Healthcare Transparency has announced an effort to help 50% of the U.S. population gain access to reliable cost and quality information by 2020. The initiative will build upon existing transparency projects from regional and national organizations. FierceHealthcare.

CMS Makes Medicare Rx Spending Data Available on Public Website

Fri, 01 May 2015 17:26:00 Z

As part of efforts to increase transparency, CMS has made public a trove of data covering about $103 billion in Medicare prescription drug spending in 2013. The data, which are available online, show that brand-name drugs for common conditions, such as acid reflux and asthma, made up Medicare's three largest drug expenditures in 2013. New York Times et al.

CMS Releases Payment, Penalty Data for PQRS, e-Rx Program

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 17:43:00 Z

CMS data show more than 460,000 Medicare providers will see reimbursement cuts of 1.5% this year for failing to submit quality data in 2013 under CMS' Physician Quality Reporting System. The data also show participation in CMS' electronic prescribing incentive program grew by 9% between 2012 and 2013, reaching more than 377,000 participants. Wall Street Journal et al.

CMS Details Strategic Vision for Physician Quality Reporting Programs

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:30:00 Z

CMS has released a strategic vision to guide how it plans to use its physician quality reporting programs to improve health care. CMS Principal Deputy Administrator and CMO Patrick Conway said such programs will "serve as the foundation" for the transition to value-based payment models. Health Data Management, "The CMS Blog."

Few People Use Pricing, Quality Data in Health Care Decisions

Tue, 21 Apr 2015 16:50:00 Z

A Kaiser Family Foundation poll finds that only 6% of adults use quality data when making decisions about a doctor, hospital or insurer. According to the poll, fewer than 9% of people use pricing data when making decisions on health plans, while just 3% use such data when selecting a physician. Kaiser Health News.

Price Transparency Tools On the Rise in the Health Care Industry

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 18:07:00 Z

As patient demand for pricing information increases, entrepreneurs and health care industry stakeholders are developing more transparency tools. Despite the increase in new tools on the market, some experts warn that accurate health care pricing information can be hard to find. Los Angeles Times.

CMS Launches Five-Star Ratings on Hospital Compare Website

Thu, 16 Apr 2015 17:34:00 Z

Today, CMS unveiled the first-ever five-star quality ratings on its Hospital Compare website, awarding five-star ratings to about 7% of the nation's hospitals. The quality ratings are based on publicly reported patient experiences from July 2013 to June 2014. Modern Healthcare et al.

CMS Opens Review Period for Data on Open Payments Website

Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:02:00 Z

A 45-day review period for data on CMS' Open Payments System kicked off this week. During the period, providers can check and dispute the accuracy of 2014 payment information on the site. Data that are disputed but not resolved within the appropriate timeframe will be published to the site on June 30. AHA News.

Coalition Seeks To Improve Health Care Cost Data Transparency

Fri, 10 Apr 2015 15:53:00 Z

A new initiative by a coalition of health care organizations aims to improve health care cost transparency. The group initially will focus on the passage of a plan to permanently replace Medicare's sustainable growth rate formula, which includes a provision on federal claims data transparency. The coalition also plans to launch better tools for individuals to compare health care prices, safety and quality. Kaiser Health News, Washington Times.

Innovators Look To Bridge the Gap Between Open Data and Consumers

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 10:00:00 Z

As the federal government seeks to boost health data transparency, innovators and entrepreneurs are stepping in to transform complex data sets into easy-to-use tools for consumers. Still, experts say more work remains to ensure the right data are available in meaningful and digestible formats.

Calif. Joint Replacement Database Leverages Patient-Reported Data

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 17:16:00 Z

The California Joint Replacement Registry has released new data on musculoskeletal surgery quality among six hospitals that take into account patient-reported outcomes. To collect the outcomes data, patients were asked to complete surveys about their condition before and one year after undergoing surgery. Modern Healthcare.

CMS Looks To Boost Doctors' Awareness, Use of Open Payments Site

Fri, 20 Mar 2015 17:17:00 Z

CMS plans to launch an outreach campaign to increase physician awareness of the Open Payments System and encourage doctors to register and review the accuracy of data included on the website. CMS' past outreach efforts have focused on the drug and device industries. Modern Healthcare.

Study: Websites Often Downplay Limitations of Personal Cancer Tests

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 17:36:00 Z

A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute finds that websites that sell personalized genetic cancer tests often lack evidence to support their claims. In addition, the sites tend to promote the benefits of such tests, while downplaying their limitations. HealthDay/U.S. News & World Report, Reuters.

GAO: AHRQ Must Boost Comparative Effectiveness Research Sharing

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 18:44:00 Z

A Government Accountability Office report finds that the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has not done enough to make its comparative effectiveness research publicly available, as required under the Affordable Care Act. Health Data Management, GAO report.

Hospital Rating Websites Vary Widely in Rankings, Study Finds

Tue, 03 Mar 2015 18:25:00 Z

A new study finds four websites that provide consumers with hospital ratings vary widely about which facilities are the best and which are the worst. The authors say the varying definitions of quality could confuse consumers and complicate hospitals' efforts to focus their improvements. Modern Healthcare et al.

CMS Revises Rating System for Nursing Home Compare Website

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 18:34:00 Z

CMS has revised its online Nursing Home Compare rating system in a way that makes it harder for facilities to receive five stars. The revised ratings, which will be made public Friday, follow a media investigation that revealed the nursing home ratings largely were based on unverified, self-reported data from the facilities. New York Times, Modern Healthcare.

North Carolina Insurer Launches Online Price Transparency Tool

Wed, 11 Feb 2015 18:45:00 Z

Stakeholders say that a new online database from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina that aims to increase price transparency could help patients decide where to seek treatment. The database displays the costs of more than 1,200 non-emergency procedures and reveals wide price variances for certain services. Charlotte Observer/Kaiser Health News.

Feds Want To Boost Clinical Trial Data Sharing, but Barriers Stand in the Way

Wed, 11 Feb 2015 12:30:00 Z

Kay Dickersin of the Center for Clinical Trials and Evidence at Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Medicine, Mark Grayson of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and Harlan Krumholz of the Yale-New Haven Hospital Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation spoke with iHealthBeat about efforts to bolster clinical trial data sharing.

CMS To Update Medicare Part B Physician Data Annually

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:39:00 Z

CMS plans to release updated physician payment data annually. Former CMS Administrator Gail Wilensky said the annual updates could help bolster physicians' payment reporting, while critics argue the website contains incorrect and incomplete data that could mislead consumers. Wall Street Journal.

CMS Posts Star Ratings for Medicare Dialysis Facilities Online

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 17:55:00 Z

CMS has posted the first round of star ratings to its Medicare Dialysis Facility Compare website as part of a broader federal effort to increase transparency and help Medicare beneficiaries compare providers. However, some providers have taken issue with the new rating system. Modern Healthcare, AP/U.S. News & World Report.

Open Payments Website Riddled With Errors, Analysis Finds

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:20:00 Z

CMS' physician payment database contains several errors about drugmakers' payments, such as misspelled drug names and multiple subsidiaries recording payments for the same drug. A CMS official says the agency does not confirm the data that companies submit but fixes errors as they are identified. ProPublica/New York Times' "The Upshot."

Medicare Hospital Payment Data Could Bolster Whistleblower Cases

Thu, 08 Jan 2015 18:59:00 Z

The data on 2012 Medicare hospital payments published last year by CMS could enhance fraud cases started by whistleblowers and could encourage more fraud claims under the False Claims Act. However, such data are not enough alone to begin a case under the FCA. Modern Healthcare.

Study Finds Hospital Compare Website Helps Reduce Prices

Tue, 06 Jan 2015 19:10:00 Z

A new study published in Health Affairs finds that more public reporting on hospital quality could help lower hospital prices. The study compares hospital quality data for two common procedures before and after CMS launched its public reporting website Hospital Compare. Modern Healthcare, U.S. News & World Report.

CMS Updates Open Payments System With More Data

Mon, 22 Dec 2014 18:13:00 Z

CMS has published an additional 68,000 payments made to physicians and teaching hospitals by pharmaceutical and medical device manufactures to its Open Payments System, which now contains payment data totaling $3.7 billion. CMS says the new data include disputed payments made between Aug. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2013. Modern Healthcare, CMS release.

CMS Adds New Data to Comparison, Reporting Websites

Fri, 19 Dec 2014 18:44:00 Z

CMS' reporting and comparison websites now include data from the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program, the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program and physician performance results on diabetes and cardiovascular care. Meanwhile, physician advocates are urging doctors to adhere to CMS' Physician Quality Reporting System data submission deadlines to avoid penalties. EHR Intelligence et al.

Most States Earn Failing Grades for Access to Quality Physician Data

Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:18:00 Z

A report card from the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute gives 40 states and Washington, D.C., "F" grades for their physician quality information transparency. The report gives an "A" to only two states, Minnesota and Washington. Forbes, Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute report.

Medicare Sites Don't Offer Adequate Cost, Quality Data, GAO Says

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:08:00 Z

A new Government Accountability Office report finds that some CMS-run websites designed to help Medicare beneficiaries contain "critical weaknesses" and do not provide adequate information about care quality and out-of-pocket costs. The authors attribute the problem to confusing layouts, data gaps and a lack of customized information. AP/U-T San Diego.

Patients Often Face Barriers to Obtaining Medical Records

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 18:48:00 Z

Despite federal efforts to increase patients' access to electronic health records, many patients continue to face a variety of barriers to obtaining their medical records. Such obstacles include providers citing privacy concerns under HIPAA and charging high processing fees. New York Times' "Sunday Review."

National Joint Replacement Registry Releases First Round of Data

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 17:48:00 Z

The American Joint Replacement Registry has released the first round of data from its registry on hip and knee replacement surgeries performed by about 120 hospitals in 2013. The data represent approximately 4.5% of all annual joint replacements in the U.S. Modern Healthcare, AJRR FAQ.

Medicare Payment Rules for FY 2015 Have Health IT Implications

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 18:51:00 Z

On Friday, CMS released final regulations for its fiscal year 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that will expand telehealth coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. The rules also will broaden reporting requirements for CMS' Physician Compare Website and promote EHR use in home health care. The Hill et al.

Study: Patients Using Price Transparency Tool Save on Health Care

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 18:03:00 Z

A Journal of the American Medical Association study finds that patients who used a pricing transparency tool before scheduling health care services spent 14% less on lab tests, 13% less on advanced imaging tests and 1% less on clinician visits than individuals who did not use the tool. Modern Healthcare's "Vital Signs," MobiHealthNews.

GWU Recognizes 14 Groups for Improving Health Price Transparency

Tue, 21 Oct 2014 14:19:00 Z

The George Washington University has released a list of the 14 most influential groups in improving health care price transparency. The groups include the Catalyst for Payment Reform, the California HealthCare Foundation and the Health Care Cost Institute. FierceHealthFinance, "MPHGW Blog."

CMS Issues New Physician Payment Database Search Tool

Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:12:00 Z

CMS has released a beta search tool to help users look up physician payment data on its recently launched Open Payments system, which was criticized for its poor usability. The new tool allows users to search by providers' name, location and specialty, as well as by the names of hospitals or medical device and pharmaceutical companies. Wall Street Journal's "Pharmalot."

Mass. First State To Require Insurers To Post Provider Prices Online

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 13:31:00 Z

This month, Massachusetts became the first state to require insurers to post online up-to-date prices for health care procedures by provider. However, several issues could limit the usefulness of the data, such as the frequency at which prices change and insurers not listing prices for the same tests and procedures. WBUR/Kaiser Health News.

CMS Intends To Update Nursing Home Compare Site With E-Filing

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 18:00:00 Z

CMS has announced plans to update its online Nursing Home Compare rating program to reduce the use of self-reported, unverified data. Among other things, CMS will implement an electronic filing system that will allow nursing homes to report their staffing levels on a quarterly basis. AP/Washington Post et al.

Data Show $1B in Physician Payments Withheld From New Database

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:44:00 Z

A CMS factsheet shows that the recently launched Open Payments System is missing more than $1 billion in payments made to health care providers between Aug. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2013. The online database has received mixed reviews, with some experts criticizing the amount of data withheld and others praising CMS' efforts to increase data transparency. ProPublica.

Industry Groups, Providers Comment on Physician Payment Website

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 17:29:00 Z

CMS' online Open Payments System is receiving mixed reviews from users, industry groups and providers. For example, AARP praised the increased transparency, while the American Medical Association raised concerns about the reliability of the published data. Politico et al.

CMS Launches Physician Payment Website Despite Industry Pressure

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 18:02:00 Z

CMS today launched its Open Payments database, which details a total of $3.5 billion in payments made to 546,000 physicians and 1,360 teaching hospitals over a five-month period. Industry groups have criticized the database, saying that it includes incomplete information that could confuse consumers and that the launch should be delayed. Modern Healthcare et al.

Observers Say Price Transparency Alone Might Not Cut Health Costs

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 16:55:00 Z

Stakeholders say that public data on the prices of specific medical procedures need to be combined with financial incentives to change consumer behavior. However, others caution that the lack of publicly available quality data does not allow consumers to properly assess the value of care. Kaiser Health News.

Study: Users of Online Pricing Tool Chose Higher-Quality Providers

Fri, 19 Sep 2014 17:58:00 Z

A study by UnitedHealthcare finds that its members were more likely to select high-quality health care providers after using an online cost estimate tool. The tool provides users with information on the pricing for specific treatments and cost and quality information on providers. MedCity News, UnitedHealthcare study.

Groups Ask CMS To Exempt Indirect Payment Disclosure in Database

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 17:50:00 Z

A group of 64 patient advocacy organizations is urging CMS not to require medical device and pharmaceutical companies from reporting indirect physician payments under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. The groups are seeking exemptions in cases where a voluntary health agency selects recipients for funding. Modern Healthcare's "Vital Signs" et al.

Health-Related Data Mining Growing; Lawmakers Consider Action

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 17:16:00 Z

Data mining firms are tapping consumers' online activity to collect health-related information and then are selling those data to companies for marketing or development purposes. A Senate bill introduced earlier this year would increase transparency about data mining practices and make it easier for consumers to opt out. Bloomberg.

CMS Reportedly Withholding More Data from Physician Payment Site

Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:37:00 Z

According to a report, CMS plans to withhold records of research grants that drugmakers make to physicians through intermediaries from its Open Payments System when it launches Sept. 30. Meanwhile, the agency will extend the deadline for physicians to review data and push back the site's corrections period to account for two upcoming "scheduled maintenance upgrades." ProPublica et al.

Premier Calls for Quality Data, Context With Release of Claims Data

Thu, 21 Aug 2014 18:04:00 Z

In a recent letter to the Senate Finance Committee, Premier urges lawmakers to ensure that provider payment data are released with appropriate context, such as quality information, so the data are valuable to consumers. The group also recommends the government bolster initiatives that aim to empower consumers through health IT. Health Data Management, Healthcare IT News.

FDA Unveils API for Medical Device Adverse Event Data

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 17:30:00 Z

FDA has added an application programming interface to its openFDA initiative that allows researchers and other users to access medical device adverse event reports submitted to the agency since 1992. However, officials warn that the data could be incomplete and should be used in context of other information. Clinical Innovation & Technology et al.

Health Groups Emphasize Interoperability To Enhance Patient Care

Tue, 19 Aug 2014 14:37:00 Z

Several organizations have sent letters to lawmakers, urging the federal government to improve access to health care data. The Bipartisan Policy Center in a letter calls for better access to claims and patient-generated data, while the West Health Institute highlights the need for improved interoperability between electronic health records. EHR Intelligence et al.

CMS Will Withhold Some Records From Physician Payment Website

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 17:20:00 Z

CMS has announced that it will withhold until June 2015 about one-third of records from its Open Payments System when it launches next month because the information contained inconsistencies. CMS did not give an exact number of records that would be withheld, but the number could be in the millions. ProPublica, The Hill.

Link All-Payer Claims Databases With Other Data To Boost Transparency

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:30:00 Z

All-payer claims databases can improve pricing transparency, increase pricing efficiency and allow for performance comparisons. But mapping morbidity rates using publicly available data would provide a more complete picture of health care effectiveness and enrich the data, enabling patterns of care and value to emerge.

40% of Patients Unaware of Online Patient Portals, Survey Finds

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 17:27:00 Z

A new TechnologyAdvice survey finds that about 40% of patients do not know whether their physicians offer patient portals for online communication and scheduling, indicating that many physicians do not properly discuss the availability of Web-based tools with patients. MobiHealthNews et al.

Physician Open Payment Website Back Online, CMS Says

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:29:00 Z

CMS says that its physician payment website is back online for physicians and teaching hospitals to review and correct payment data before the database goes live this fall. However, the American Medical Association is urging CMS to delay the public launch of the website, arguing that the agency has yet to address some major issues associated with the database. Wall Street Journal's "Pharmalot" et al.

Canada Joins International Web Portal for Rare Disease Research

Tue, 12 Aug 2014 17:20:00 Z

Canada has become the first country in North and South America to launch Orphanet, an international Web portal designed to bolster research and improve treatment for rare diseases. The portal is led by a consortium and includes data from expert centers, medical laboratories and patient organizations in several countries. Health Data Management.

CMS Postpones Launch of Physician Payment Website Amid Concerns

Fri, 08 Aug 2014 17:05:00 Z

CMS has announced that it will delay the public launch of its physician payment website following media reports of mistakes in the physician data. CMS says it will reschedule the launch and physician review deadlines after it completes its investigation into reported issues with the database. The Hill, MedPage Today's "The Gupta Guide."

CMS Stops Publicly Reporting Certain Hospital-Acquired Conditions

Thu, 07 Aug 2014 17:52:00 Z

This month, CMS stopped publicly reporting data on eight hospital-acquired conditions, meaning the agency now reports hospital-specific rates for just 13 events that should not occur in hospitals. Some consumer advocates say CMS should have worked to strengthen the measures rather than removing them from its Hospital Compare website completely. USA Today et al.

AMA, Provider Groups Seek To Delay Physician Payment Database

Wed, 06 Aug 2014 17:36:00 Z

The American Medical Association and more than 100 other medical professional groups have sent a letter asking CMS to delay the launch of a database that would make public the payments physicians have received from drugmakers and medical device manufacturers. The request follows recent reports of mistakes in the posted data. The Hill et al.

SAMHSA Mulls Changes to Federal Substance Abuse Confidentiality Rules

Wed, 06 Aug 2014 11:00:00 Z

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is considering several possible changes to federal substance abuse confidentiality regulations to encourage more widespread health data sharing.

Patients Use Medical Auction Websites To Solicit Bids From Providers

Tue, 05 Aug 2014 17:41:00 Z

Some individuals are using medical auction websites to seek non-emergency care by posting their health needs online where physicians can bid to perform the treatments or surgeries. However, critics of the practice have raised concerns about the quality of care provided. Washington Post/Kaiser Health News.

CMS Temporarily Suspends Open Payments Site's Verification System

Tue, 05 Aug 2014 16:55:00 Z

CMS spokesperson Aaron Albright says that the agency has temporarily taken offline the verification system for its soon-to-be released physician payment website. The move comes after the discovery that one manufacturer submitted physician payment data with the incorrect state medical license. ProPublica.

Medical, Pharma Groups Ask CMS for Details on Payment Database

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 16:11:00 Z

Yesterday, more than 20 medical and pharmaceutical groups sent a letter to CMS requesting more details about the context of payment information that will be included on the agency's upcoming physician payment database. The letter also urges the agency to boost physician awareness of the database. Wall Street Journal's "Pharmalot," Letter.

Doctors Using CMS' Open Payments Site Report Long Waits, Errors

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 17:35:00 Z

CMS has begun allowing physicians to log on to its online database of payments made to providers and review disclosures on themselves before the data are made public in September. However, users are reporting long wait times for verification and login processes and ambiguous error messages. ProPublica, The Hill.

OIG: 14 States Failed To Submit Anti-Fraud Information to Database

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 17:21:00 Z

An HHS Office of Inspector General report finds that 14 states failed to submit the required Medicaid beneficiary data to a national database under the Medicaid Interstate Match program. The database looks for duplicate Social Security numbers that could indicate benefits claims were filed in multiple states. Washington Times.

Database Disclosing Physician Payments To Launch in September

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:53:00 Z

Starting in September, the federal government will launch a comprehensive, online database of payments made to health care providers as called for under the Physician Payment Sunshine Act. The database aims to disclose payments, gifts and other services physicians receive from drugmakers and medical device makers. AP/Washington Post.