Inside the Industry

CMS Launches Tools and Initiatives to Help Improve American Health Care Quality
Posted 10/2/2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new tool for patients and caregivers and other enhanced initiatives today to empower consumers to make informed choices about their health care, and to help improve the quality of care in America's hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, and other health care settings.

Proposed Rule: CMS Proposes Policy and Payment Changes for Outpatient Care and Ambulatory Surgical Centers for CY'12 and HVBP 2014 Provisions
Posted 7/6/2011
The proposed rule calls for implementing a quality reporting program for ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) by proposing eight quality measures, focusing on infection, for reporting, as of CY'12 for CY'14's payment determination.

Joint Commission Certification in Heart Failure
Posted 6/7/2011
The talk of providing a continuum of patient care and preventing avoidable readmissions is becoming increasingly prevalent. Recently, The Joint Commission announced plans to launch a new certification program designed specifically for care of patients with heart failure.

Studer Group Tactics Support the National Quality Strategy Initiatives
Posted 4/29/2011
Read about the NQF newly released priorities and view a chart that demonstrates how Studer Group’s evidence-based tactics aligns with these priorities.

New CMS Issued ACO Proposed Rule
Posted 4/29/2011
Read about the newly released proposed rule for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), mentioned in the Affordable Care Act. The proposed rule would call for ACOs to be established beginning on January 1, 2012.