Low-Volume Cardiac Surgery Program "Excellence"
In a previous blog, CFA asked the question, “Can a low-volume cardiac surgery program be excellent?” (posted November 16, 2016). CFA estimates,
The National Low Volume Cardiac Surgery Conundrum
The national decline in cardiac surgical volumes is well documented: between 2000 and 2010, annual isolated CABG volume in the U.S. declined by 95,000 cases (from 314,000 to 219,000), a drop of 30%.
Innovative Pathways of Care Can Reduce Resource Utilization, Enhance Quality
In the continuing effort to foster innovation and cost savings in cardiovascular programs, CFA was reminded of two interrelated clinical pathway issues by recently published research.
CMS Delays Cardiac Bundled Payment Model
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced on March 21st in the Federal Register the following news on the anticipated implementation of the mandatory cardiac bundled payment initiative:
Why Many Hospital CFOs Are More Optimistic About the Future
The Basis for Renewed Financial Optimism
After more than a decade of paltry economic growth, many CFOs and healthcare sector financial analysts are becoming more bullish on the future of their health services organizations’ financial positions and performance.
New Rationale for Heart and Vascular Services Integration
The integration of Heart and Vascular Services has been an ongoing challenge for the past 15 years or so. CFA has long promoted the benefits of heart and vascular services alignment, as the advantages far outweigh the time and effort necessary to achieve integration.
Episode of Care (EOC) and Bundled Pricing: Baseline EOC Analyses, Part 2
In a previous blog post, we introduced the concept of episodes of care (EOC) and its conceptual and practical application to improving program performance and preparing for value based care.
Developing an Episodes of Care Mindset, Part 1
As most of us know by now, any transition to bundled payment will necessarily involve episodes of care (EOC). This blog, however, is not about preparing for bundled payment ‒ rather, it will focus on the value of the EOC as a foundation for analysis leading to reduced costs and enhanced value, regardless of when (or if) bundled payment initiatives become commonplace.
Medicare Cardiac Bundles: Mandatory vs. Voluntary
In past blog posts we have tried to keep you up-to-date on the proposed mandatory Medicare cardiac bundles that are (currently) set to commence in July 2017 (see Mandatory Medicare Cardiac Bundles: Final Regulations (Possibly) ).
Mandatory Medicare Cardiac Bundles: Final Regulations (Possibly)
CMS announced on December 20th that they are moving forward with the mandatory Medicare cardiac bundled pricing model by issuing final regulations.