Insights & Analysis
There’s one constant in healthcare: change. Count on us to break down the trends so you can stay up to date. Follow our take on each piece of this deep, intertwined, and often perplexing industry to find opportunities and practical approaches to move healthcare forward.
Featured Content
Premium Content
Premium Content
Data and Social Media Working Together
On April 9, HHS made public CMS reimbursement data for 880,000 Medicare providers for the first time in the Agency's history; but the bigger story was the social media response that followed.
Three of the Largest Payers Will Give Consumers Free Access to Healthcare Prices Beginning in 2015
On May 14, the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) announced that it will work with Aetna, Humana and, UnitedHealthcare to provide consumers free access to an online tool that displays information about the price and quality of healthcare services beginning in 2015.
Avalere Medicaid Expansion Map – May 2014
As of May 15, 2014, 28 states and D.C. are expanding Medicaid eligibility.
States Propose “Right to Try” Bills Allowing Physician Prescribing of Investigational Drugs for Terminally Ill Patients
At least four states -- Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana and Missouri -- have recently proposed bills that would allow physicians to prescribe investigational drugs, biologics or devices to eligible terminally ill patients.
Striking a Balance Between Affordability and Generosity
2014 has accomplished a great deal in terms of patient access, with the establishment of the exchange plans and the exchange market.
Avalere Analysis: Medicaid Non-Expansion States Experience Up to 10% Enrollment Growth Due to Woodwork Effect
Over 550K New Medicaid Enrollees Gained Coverage in Non-Expansion States in First Quarter.
ASCO Releases New Oncology Payment Methodology Framework
On May 5, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released a novel methodology for physician payment for cancer care services under Medicare.
Continued Innovation in the Era of Industry Consolidation
Pharmaceutical companies are facing multiple challenges in the constantly evolving healthcare landscape.
Avalere Analysis on Exchange Enrollment Data
Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that 8 million people enrolled in exchanges nationwide.
Avalere Analysis: Exchange Enrollment Outpaces Expectations in 22 States
Analysis assumes 85 percent of enrollees pay first month's premium.
Dialogue Proceedings: Measuring the Quality of Malnutrition Care
Malnutrition is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among the elderly.
CMS Releases FY 2015 IPPS Proposed Rule: Policies Continue to Focus on Modifying Payment Due to Quality Improvement
On April 30, CMS released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems (IPPS) proposed rule.
CMS Creates a Special Enrollment Period for Individuals Losing Coverage Through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Program
On April 24, CMS announced a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for individuals losing coverage through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Program (PCIP).
Avalere Analysis: Exchange Consumer Experience
Study finds lack of transparency on drug coverage in exchanges, but better data on provider networks.
Avalere Health Launches Center for Payment & Delivery Innovation™
New center will combine data, analytics, advisory services and research for all U.S. healthcare stakeholders to adapt to new payment and delivery models.
Study Finds that Two-Thirds of Beneficiaries in Medicare ACOs Received Outpatient Specialty Care from Providers Outside Their ACO
On April 21, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study about beneficiary assignment and leakage in the two Medicare ACO programs, the Pioneer program and Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP).
Managing Access to Pseudoephedrine: Potential Impacts of a Prescription-Only Policy versus Real-Time Stop Sale Technology
This April, Avalere experts finalized a paper surrounding the policy issues of control, access and usage for products containing pseudophedrine (PSE).
CMS’ Final Notice Keeps Pressure on Medicare Advantage Payments
In this week's edition of McKnight's Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, Avalere's Jennifer Rak wrote a guest blog piece on the effects of the recently released Final Medicare Advantage (MA) Rates.
OIG Finds Lowering HOPD Payment Rates to ASC Level for ASC-Approved Procedures Could Save Medicare and Beneficiaries Billions of Dollars
On April 17, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report evaluating the impact on total Medicare expenditures of the payment differential between hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs).
CMMI Releases Revised ESRD Seamless Care Organization RFA, In Attempt to Further Stimulate Provider Participation
On April 15, CMS released a revised version of the ESRD Seamless Care Organizations (ESCOs) Request for Application (RFA).