Here are five articles published on Becker's Hospital Review this past week that offer interesting insight on Medicare Advantage rates, the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model and President Barack Obama's fiscal year 2017 budget.
1. CMS finalizes 2017 Medicare Advantage rates: 8 things to know
CMS finalized a number of payment and policy changes to the Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug programs for 2017, including a slight payment increase to health insurers who offer Medicare Advantage plans.
2. CBO releases analysis of Obama's 2017 budget: 5 healthcare takeaways
The Congressional Budget Office released its analysis of President Barack Obama's fiscal year 2017 budget, and the CBO's estimates differ from those provided by the president's own Office of Management and Budget.
3. 60% of hospitals at risk of CJR cost penalties, study finds
Nearly 60 percent of hospitals participating in Medicare's Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model could face penalties based on their cost performance, according to a report from Avalere.
4. WellStar pays $575M for 5 Tenet hospitals
Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare sold its five Atlanta-area hospitals and 26 physician clinics to Marietta, Ga.-based WellStar Health System for $575 million in cash.
5. Nurse practitioners vs. primary care physicians: Comparing cost of care
Increasing the use of nurse practitioners to meet the growing demand for primary care services for Medicare beneficiaries may actually reduce costs for the government program while still providing beneficiaries with high-quality care, according to a study by Medscape.
More articles on healthcare finance:
Pioneer Health Services files for bankruptcy in hopes of long-term viability
15 latest hospital credit downgrades
139-year-old California hospital to close this month