Five Things to Know About Medicare Site-Neutral Payment Reforms
This brief examines key facts around proposals to align Medicare payments for outpatient services across care settings, otherwise known as “site-neutral payment reforms.”
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How Does Medical Inflation Compare to Inflation in the Rest of the Economy?
Issue BriefThis brief analyzes prices for medical care compared to other goods and services using consumer price index (CPI) and producer price index (PPI) data. Overall prices grew by 3.5% in March 2024 from the previous year, while prices for medical care increased by only 2.2%.
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Ten Things to Know About Consolidation in Health Care Provider Markets
News ReleaseMergers and acquisitions involving hospitals and other health care providers are drawing attention from federal and state regulators, including the Federal Trade Commission, and policymakers amid concerns that such consolidations can reduce competition and contribute to the high costs of health care.
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Ten Things to Know About Consolidation in Health Care Provider Markets
Issue BriefAs policymakers and regulators pay more attention to consolidation in health care provider markets, this brief examines and summarizes the evidence about consolidation, including recent trends, the impact on prices and quality, and proposals to address consolidation and increase competition.
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Gaps in Data About Hospital and Health System Finances Limit Transparency for Policymakers and Patients
Issue BriefThis brief describes gaps in data about hospital and health system finances and business practices that limit transparency for policymakers, researchers, and consumers. It examines data issues involving finances, debt collection practices, charity care, prices, ownership, and the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
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What resources are available for privately insured patients who get surprise balance bills?
Issue BriefMost patients do not know about the new surprise billing protections and likely also do not know of resources available to seek recourse for incorrect medical bills. This brief provides resources to privately insured patients who receive surprise balance bills and also summarizes relevant policies and how they apply to balance billing.
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It’s Not a Health Care Election, But Health Issues Might Still Add Up
From Drew AltmanIn this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explores the potential for some health care issues—including abortion, drug costs and other affordability challenges—to influence enough voters in swing states to make a difference in this year's presidential election.
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Why Affordability Is the Big Tent
From Drew AltmanIn this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explores why the public's concerns about out-of-pocket health costs make health care affordability the health policy issue most likely to resonate with voters across the political spectrum.
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The Two Health Care Cost Crises
From Drew AltmanIn this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explores the nation's twin health cost crises of affordability, especially for people who are sick and need a lot of health care, and national health spending, and why the solutions often work at cross purposes.
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What is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ New AHEAD Model?
Issue BriefIn September 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new opportunity for states to leverage federal funding on health care: the Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) model. With this model, CMS – under the auspices of the CMS Innovation Center, also known as CMMI -- aims to reduce the rate of growth in health care spending, improve people's health, and reduce disparities in health outcomes. This issue brief answers some key questions about the new model and explores considerations for potential state and private participants.