CMS Announces Changes to ACO Reach Model
Last week the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a number of changes to the ACO Realizing Equity Access and Community Health (REACH) model. Changes aim to further advance health equity and increase participation in the payment model.
Kaiser Permanente Acquires Geisinger
The U.S. healthcare market continues its trend toward vertical integration with the launch of Risant Health, a new value-based care, integrated health organization recently announced by Kaiser Permanente and Geisinger Health. Geisinger, a Pennsylvania-based, ten-hospital system, will be the first to join the organization via acquisition (pending regulatory approval).
Fewer Patients Seeking Primary Care
It’s no news that the U.S. has been experiencing a primary care shortage, but the impact of that shortage is now being seen on the patient side according to a recent study from FAIR Health, a nonprofit that collects data on privately billed and Medicare health insurance claims.
Notes On News: The End of the COVID-19 National Emergency and Public Health Emergency
The U.S. House of Representatives recently put forth a bill to end both the national emergency and the public health emergency (PHE) for the COVID-19 pandemic early. President Biden signed a version of the bill on April 10, ending the national emergency, but the PHE will continue until May 11, at which point it, too, will expire.
Notes on News: 2023 Healthcare Forecast
McKinsey & Company recently released A REPORT detailing the healthcare industry outlook. With inflation rates and LABOR SHORTAGES, the expected growth for healthcare profits dropped from 6% in the 2021 report to 4%. While outlooks aren’t what they were just a couple of years ago, there are certain sectors that may see higher growth–in particular, Medicare Advantage with payers, which is forecasted to see greater than 10% growth in profits.
Notes on News: Amazon / One Medical Deal
In case you missed the news: The Amazon acquisition of One Medical officially closed on February 22. In one of our recent newsletters, we talked about Amazon’s entrance into the medical world through Amazon Clinic–which provides quick treatments for common conditions in 20 states.