Eighty percent of ACOs reported using home visits for some of their patients, with larger ACOs more commonly using home visits. Under alternative payment models ? including accountable care organization (ACO) contracts ? providers may have greater motivation to improve care delivery for patients with complex clinical needs because they are responsible for the patients? total cost of care. This article is free to 1-Year Classic and 2-Year Premium subscribers.

Telehealth is predicted to be the next big investment for seniors aging in place. The number of seniors requiring additional caregiving and support due to chronic disease will increase from about 14 percent of the senior population in 2010 to 21 percent by 2050, putting the pressure on healthcare providers to improve caregiving platforms. This article is free to 1-Year Classic and 2-Year Premium subscribers.

Adam Boehler left his position as the deputy administrator and director of CMS and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). His position at CMMI was important to home and community-based providers. His work created models to pay primary care physicians based on value, tie prices of drugs administered in a doctor's office to the amount other countries pay, and a drive to move?more people to get dialysis in their homes. This article is free to 1-Year Classic and 2-Year Premium subscribers.

Prior authorizations take time away from patients and interject a third party into the doctor-patient relationship. There are many frustrations with prior authorizations, but the time spent getting payer permission is a common thread among all doctors. The average practice spends more than 15 hours per week total on them. This article is free to 1-Year Classic and 2-Year Premium subscribers.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the primary enforcer of fraud and abuse prohibitions, has issued its annual recommendations that, if implemented, will likely affect HHS programs positively in terms of cost savings, program effectiveness and efficiency, and public health and safety. This article is free to 1-Year Classic and 2-Year Premium subscribers.

The first two years of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) saved Medicare more than?$1,00 per episode. CJR, a five-year Medicare program rolled out in 2016, pays participating?hospitals for hip and knee replacements by episode of care: from admission to 90 days post discharge. This article is free to 1-Year Classic and 2-Year Premium subscribers.