Here are five articles published by Becker's Hospital Review this week that offer insight on hospital prices, Medicare appeals, bundled payments and more.
1. US healthcare system ranks 50th out of 55 countries for efficiency
The U.S. healthcare system is one of the least efficient in the world, ranking 50th out of 55 countries in 2014, according to the Bloomberg Health-Care Efficiency Index.
2. CMS to resume Medicare appeals settlements
CMS will again allow eligible hospitals to settle inpatient status claims currently under appeal.
3. 5 hospitals with strong finances
A roundup of five hospitals and health systems with strong operational metrics and solid financial positions based on recent reports from Moody's Investors Service, Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings.
4. Does bad press for prices get hospitals to lower rates?
Health Affairs published a study of the top 50 American hospitals with the highest cost markups in 2015. This year, University of Miami researchers questioned 20 Florida-based hospitals that made the list to find how negative publicity affected their chargemasters.
5. PwC: 31% of providers and 20% of employers have adopted healthcare bundles
Bundles are undeniably gaining traction in healthcare, with 83 percent of hospitals either interested in or already participating in these payments. However, there is still a "mismatch" between provider activity and employer needs, according to PwC's Strategy& annual bundled care survey of employers, hospitals and consumers.
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