Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Medicare Websites Add New Quality Ratings For Consumers
Modern Healthcare: CMS Adds New Quality Measures To Two Compare Sites
The CMS announced Tuesday that it added four new quality measures for healthcare consumers to view on the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility and Long-Term Care Hospital Compare websites. The additions to the sites come as the CMS works to improve the Hospice Compare website, which fell under scrutiny shortly after it launched in August for showing patients inaccurate information about providers. The CMS' suite of Compare sites were mandated under the Affordable Care Act and designed to encourage Medicare beneficiaries to seek out high-quality healthcare. CMS Administrator Seema Verma has publicly touted her commitment to improving patients' access to information that allows them to shop for their care. (Castellucci, 12/12)
Modern Healthcare: CMS Extends Medicare Experiment To Curb Ambulance Use
The CMS will continue its multi-state initiative to reduce ambulance use in the Medicare program, citing the program's success in lowering claims. Under the initiative, Medicare beneficiaries need prior authorization for regular, non-emergency ambulance transportation in order for the rides to be covered. The CMS said Tuesday that the 4-year-old demonstration has led to fewer claims for ambulance services. (Dickson, 12/12)
