quality - CT Health Policy

September web quiz on Medicare hospital readmissions in Connecticut

By Ellen Andrews | September 2, 2015 |

Test your knowledge of Medicare hospital readmissions in Connecticut. Take the September CT Health Policy Webquiz.

CT still lags most states in Medicare hospital readmission rates

By Ellen Andrews | August 12, 2015 |

According to Kaiser Health News, ninety percent of CT’s acute care hospitals will be assessed a penalty by Medicare because of high readmission rates, starting October 1st. 54% of US hospitals will be penalized this year for the percent of Medicare patients with certain conditions who return to the hospital within 30 days, down slightly…

Advocates’ guide to underservice recommendations

By Ellen Andrews | August 7, 2015 |

Connecticut’s State Innovation Model (SIM) is seeking to radically transform our state’s $30 billion health system by aligning incentives to build value. SIM has chosen a shared savings payment model for those reforms. Advocates are concerned about incentives to deny necessary care under the new payment model, as happened in the past. SIM’s Equity and…

Advocates’ guide to underservice recommendations

By Ellen Andrews | August 4, 2015 |

SIM is seeking to radically transform our state’s $30 billion health system and has chosen a shared savings payment model for those reforms. Advocates are concerned about incentives to deny necessary care under the new payment model, as happened in the past. SIM’s Equity and Access Council was charged with developing protections to limit and…

New tool allows comparison of local surgeons’ safety record

By Ellen Andrews | July 15, 2015 |

Patients considering surgery often check their hospitals’ quality rating, but the your surgeon’s safety rating can be even more important. Half of US hospitals have surgeons with both high and low complication rates. ProPublica’s new Surgeon Scorecard allows patients to compare the safety record of surgeons by hospital. ProPublica used Medicare data to calculate surgeon’s…

July web quiz on CT hospital quality

By Ellen Andrews | July 2, 2015 |

Test your knowledge of Connecticut hospital quality. Take the July CT Health Policy Webquiz.

Webinar online – Caring for high-need patients – Lessons for CT

By Ellen Andrews | June 24, 2015 |

Evidence is growing that we cannot fix our health care system without addressing the needs of the small number of patients with very complex and costly health problems. Connecticut can learn from other programs across the US as we build reforms for our state and our Medicaid program. On this week’s webinar we heard from…

Guest blog: It’s Not Patients’ Fault!

By Ellen Andrews | March 25, 2015 |

No, really, it’s not our fault. According to a study published last month by JAMA Oncol, it is a myth that escalating health costs are driven by patients “demanding” tests and treatments. It simply is not happening. Rather, it would appear that responsibility for factors ranging from poor communication, to “defensive medicine”, to deliberate overpricing…

Integrating behavioral health into primary care focus of next CEPAC meeting

By Ellen Andrews | March 24, 2015 |

The next CEPAC meeting will review the latest research on best practices to effectively integrate behavioral health into primary care practice. Up to 70% of physician visits include a behavioral health component. Patients with chronic conditions are more likely to experience mental illness as well and costs for these patients can be two to three…

SIM update – PCMH standards undermined, weak ethics adopted, but underservice group is moving forward

By Ellen Andrews | February 6, 2015 |

Again, SIM takes one step forward but two steps back. At yesterday’s steering committee meeting, SIM adopted an ineffective, weak conflict of interest policy, without a vote or any discussion. The policy would allow members to bid on significant SIM contracts that they had a substantial role in defining, potentially advantaging their company, provider or…