Resources from BHM Healthcare Solutions

Behavioral Health Challenges, Changes For America

2017-09-14T15:44:42-04:00By Eric Duchinsky|Behavioral Health Integration, Mental Health Parity, Trends|

Population trend data outlines the behavioral health challenges and changes occurring throughout the United States. For payers, understanding the movement of population segments help estimate coverage patterns and potential for claims submissions. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) released an annual survey of the population of the United States ages 12 years or older. The main First Findings Report contains a cross-section of NSDUH data on substance use and substance use disorders, mental health issues among adults and adolescents, and co-occurring disorders.

Uninsured Numbers Growing In Unexpected Areas, Survey Finds

2017-09-12T17:44:47-04:00By Eric Duchinsky|Health Care Reform, News and Events, Quality Improvement Programs, Trends|

There was a significant change in uninsured numbers growing for people ages 35 to 49, adults making more than 400 percent of the federal poverty level ($47,520 for an individual and $97,200 for a family of four), and those living in states that have not expanded Medicaid, according to a new Commonwealth Fund survey. Policy fixes like expanding Medicaid in all states, making premium subsidies available to more people, and assisting consumers as they shop for coverage on the marketplaces, the report finds, could address some of the barriers the uninsured face in gaining coverage.

Measuring Telehealth: Laying A Consistent Foundation For Growth

2017-09-13T15:28:00-04:00By Eric Duchinsky|Telehealth and Telemedicine, Uncategorized|

Telehealth services, which unite technology with healthcare, health information, and health education, have grown substantially over the past 15 years and are expected to increase due to new reimbursement strategies for Medicare providers who offer telehealth services as part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). With technology racing out in front of reimbursement policies, any cost savings, quality improvement, or increased access to care waited until now. Measuring telehealth may be the key unlocking a flood of benefits for payers.

Opioid Crisis Response: Insurers Balance Access And Need

2017-09-07T18:45:57-04:00By Eric Duchinsky|Care Coordination, Clinical Analysis, Clinical Operations Improvement|

The extent of the opioid crisis means years of work, resources, and programming from payers, providers, and patients. A recent effort, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, conducted a literature review and interviewed insurers, providers, and patient advocates looking for the most current efforts, data, and experiences from the frontlines of the opioid crisis.

Value-Based Contract Barriers for Innovative Medicines

2017-09-06T18:17:28-04:00By Eric Duchinsky|Big Data, Managed Care, Trends|

The shift under way in payment in US health care - from volume to value - has sparked interest in new contracting arrangements to pay for prescription drugs. The objective of these new arrangements is to reward successful outcomes of medication use in patients, rather than pay based on the volume of drugs sold. Unfortunately, value-based contract barriers stand in the way of one approach to managing drug costs and obtaining better value for money spent. However, achieving the full potential of these contracts will necessitate regulatory and other changes.

Insurance Markets Stabilization: Bipartisan Proposal From Governors

2017-09-05T18:02:22-04:00By Eric Duchinsky|Health Care Reform, Managed Care, Medicare and Medicaid, Taxes|

The governors John Kasich of Ohio, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Brian Sandoval of Nevada, Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, Bill Walker of Alaska, Terence R. McAuliffe of Virginia, John Bel Edwards of Louisiana, and Steve Bullock of Montana sent a letter to the Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate asking them to take immediate steps to restore insurance markets stabilization structures. The letter was sent ahead of the testimony governors are expected to offer to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee on September 7.

Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes: 1st Annual National Report

2017-09-05T18:03:16-04:00By Eric Duchinsky|Big Data, Managed Care, Population Health, Trends, Uncategorized|

The purpose of this first annual surveillance report is to summarize the latest information available on the national level for various drug-related risks and health outcomes, health behaviors, and prescribing patterns related to the drug problem in the United States. The most recent year of information available is different for different outcomes. The emphasis is on national information, but some state information is also presented. This document is intended to serve as a resource for payers, providers, and pharma companies charged with addressing this ongoing national problem. It will be updated annually.

Health Insurance Tax (HIT) Impact on Medicare Plans: 2 Views

2017-08-30T18:00:35-04:00By Eric Duchinsky|Medicare and Medicaid, News and Events|

Sweeping repeal and replace legislation may be slowed, but does not mean significant healthcare changes are not coming off the legislative wish list. The debate on funding aspects of the healthcare law will likely continue through the 2018 election. The Health Insurance Tax (HIT) comes up for discussion and two organizations presented their takes on HIT's impact on Medicare programs and payers.

Collaborative Payer Provider Model Enhances Primary Care

2017-08-30T17:59:21-04:00By Eric Duchinsky|Trends|

Rising health care costs are threatening the fiscal solvency of patients, employers, payers, and governments. The Collaborative Payer Provider Model (CPPM) addresses this challenge by reinventing the role of the payer into a full-service collaborative ally of the physician. The article written by Thomas Doerr, Lisa Olsen, and Deborah Zimmerman for MDPI AG (Basel, Switzerland) identified and tested elements of the Collaborative Payer Provider Model (CPPM). Also in this post, the summary of the major differences between traditional payers and the CPPM.

Telehealth Payer Laws: Impact and Issues

2017-08-29T20:42:31-04:00By Eric Duchinsky|Telehealth and Telemedicine, Uncategorized|

Payers interested in the market potential of under-served rural populations long for consistent options for offering affordable policies without provider network limitations. The language policymakers use in telehealth legislation may deter provider networks from offering remote services and tying the hands of payers looking to broad service options, according to a the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP). The CCHP, with funding from the Milbank Memorial Fund, release a report covering the current state of telehealth payer laws.

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Resources by BHM Healthcare Solutions