Aetna follows UnitedHealthcare out of AHIP The news media is reporting on Aetna’s departure from AHIP (American Health Insurance Plans) after UnitedHealthcare started the migration last year. But so far, few are delving into the implications of why two of the “Big 5” insurance companies have walked away from the health insurance industry’s primary and [...]
Medical Device Tax Suspension - Impact on Patients and Providers The latest spending bill will finally suspend the medical device tax established as part of the Affordable Care Act. This tax break is going to decrease the cost and increase the profits of medical device manufacturers who will no longer be subject to the excise [...]
Smart Strategies for Survival in Independent Medical Practice Much has been written and discussed about hospital acquisition of many previously independent, private practices. That trend is very real and has made the challenge greater for practices that want to remain independent. But despite what many in private practice see as a gloomy outlook for their [...]
Will Site-Neutral Payments Decrease Hospital Acquisitions of Medical Practices? The new budget passed by Congress includes a provision that changes the way that CMS pays hospitals for services performed in off-campus medical clinics and offices. CMS has been paying hospitals at higher hospital-outpatient rates for services performed in off-campus medical clinics that were previously independent [...]
Navigating the Increasingly Turbulent Waters of Healthcare Practice Even though it may be hard to believe at times, you can survive and even thrive in independent private practice. But it’s SO much more difficult than it used to be and only the smartest and most proactive business owners can hope to do well in the [...]
