Publications

The individual market for Exchange coverage under the Affordable Care Act is expected to grow in size and importance, which highlights the need for accurate measurement of this market segment.

The policy simulations raise questions about the trade-offs implicit in universal reductions in reimbursement. The effect of reduced payment generosity on mortality could be mitigated by targeting highly profitable services only for lower reimbursement.

Reducing health care costs and addressing the issue of primary care physician shortage are two issues at the forefront of the health policy discussion. Some have suggested that retail health clinics, or walk-in medical clinics located in pharmacies, superstores, and workplaces, could potentially address both of these issues.

One of the principal aims of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to expand access to affordable insurance coverage. Currently, individuals who receive employer-sponsored health insurance predominantly work for large employers. As such, small employers are a specific target in the ACA to expand access to coverage for their employees.

Smoking bans have become increasingly prevalent in public spaces including workplaces, bars, and restaurants. In a recent article in USA Today, Liz Szabo highlighted findings from several studies that describe the contribution of these policies toward significant health improvements.

Policymakers seeking to slow the growth in Medicare spending are increasingly exploring care coordination interventions involving beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions.  In a HCFO-funded study, researchers took a closer look at the programs in the Medicare Coordinated Care Demonstration in order to assess which interventions worked and for whom.

By providing access to more affordable health insurance, health insurance exchanges may be one mechanism to reduce the number of uninsured individuals in the United States. A critical factor in developing robust exchanges is active participation by the small-group market.

Rising prescription drug costs continue to be an issue of importance to patients, health insurers, and the federal government. One popular cost containment solution is encouraging the use of generic drugs over brand-name drugs.

A recent article in The Denver Post discusses the CMS Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, which penalizes hospitals with excess readmissions by withholding up to one percent of Medicare payments in the first year.