Fewer quality measures, a shorter reporting period for Meaningful Use requirements and an increase in uncompensated rate payments were all positives in the eyes of hospitals in their initial reaction to the proposed 2019 Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rule.

Healthcare real estate investor Welltower has announced it will acquire the outstanding shares of Quality Care Properties and form a joint venture with Toledo, Ohio-based health system ProMedica for the real estate holdings of QCP tenants HCR ManorCare and Arden Courts.

Ronny Jackson, MD, said he’s “regretfully” withdrawing his nomination, saying he “did not expect to have to dignify baseless and anonymous attacks on my character and integrity.”

A new CMS proposal will require hospitals to post their standard prices for treatments online and aims to increase patient access to electronic health records (EHRs).

An academic and insurance executive discussed innovations to control healthcare costs in the U.S., including pricing reforms and payment modifications.

The Leapfrog Group’s 2018 Hospital Safety Grades found that a handful of facilities have made major strides in reducing infection rates and deaths due to error. Of the 2,500 hospitals examined, 89 receiving an A this year had previously been rated as a D or F.

In an April 23 release, CMS announce it is seeking input on an alternative payment model that would allow direct provider contracting (DPC) between payers and primary care or multi-specialty groups. CMS asked for comments to inform possible testing for such a model for Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid.

President Donald Trump has postponed this week’s speech on battling rising prescription drug costs, according to the White House. No future date, time or location has been announced for the speech, previously scheduled for Thursday, April 26.

Higher deductible bronze-level plans were more popular on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges in 2018, but customers may not be aware that moving toward this coverage will leave them paying out of pocket for primary care until they hit their deductible—leading some to avoid primary care altogether due to the costs.

Physicians, hospitals and health systems cited a variety of reasons for looking for a new electronic health record (EHR) vendor, from seeking better functionality to meeting new regulatory requirements. The fact the change likely won’t bring a quick return on their investment, however, doesn’t seem to deter anyone looking to make a switch.