Healthcare Headlines- August 2016
This timely digest of trending healthcare industry news is compiled by Kraus-Anderson’s Healthcare Construction Group. KA works closely with healthcare clients on a wide range of challenging goals, from remodels and additions to new construction. Staying informed, and helping our clients be informed, of healthcare industry developments helps us accomplish our goal of providing maximum value for the client, so that they in turn can maximize their programs.
Allina Health Regina Hospital Emergency Department named to MN Physicians Architectural Honor Roll
Allina Health Regina Hospital’s Emergency Department addition is one of 11 projects named to the Minnesota Physicians 2016 Health Care Architectural Honor Roll. HGA Architects designed the new emergency department around an onstage/offstage operational model that separates patient care areas from care team and staff areas; allowing for more privacy and centering the staff core in the middle of the department. The addition includes a two-stall ambulance garage, two trauma bays, and eight treatment rooms. Two treatment rooms may be used as observation rooms if needed. The outpatient surgery entrance was relocated and connects into the main public circulation of the hospital, with wayfinding for patients and visitors inherent in the design. The renovated imaging department includes room for a new CT scanner and a dedicated MRI machine.
ACA’s risk adjustment hammers small plans again
Small, regional health insurers and co-ops have incurred large charges under the Affordable Care Act’s risk-adjustment program, according to a CMS summary report released June 30. While the program is designed to spread insurance risk across all ACA exchange enrollees, some insurers have argued that the formula is biased toward bigger payers, and omits important prescription drug data.
Healthcare spending growth rate rises again in 2015
The U.S. healthcare system spent $3.2 trillion in 2015, or almost $10,000 for every person, according to the latest federal projections. That represents a 5.5% increase over 2014, and economists say we’re still on track for national health spending to grow by 5.8% each year on average over the next decade.
Hospitals will pivot to post-acute care to thrive under cardiac bundles
New rules for cardiac bundled payments and rehabilitation proposed recently by the CMS will likely result in hospitals working more proactively with surgeons and post-acute care providers. Bundled payments for coronary procedures and heart attack treatment places more responsibility on hospitals for managing the quality and efficiency of care delivered by post-acute providers such as skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities and home health agencies.
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