Blog
Expert Insight into Bundled PaymentsBlog Categories
See the MedBen Analytics Advantage for Yourself
Just a brief reminder that the best way to see the actionable insights that MedBen Analytics offers to hospitals, health systems and physician groups is to schedule a demonstration of our bundled payment software platform.
During the demo, which typically takes between 45 to 60 minutes, a team member will guide you through the MedBen Analytics reporting portal and highlight some of its features… among them:
Drill-down capability. Look at summary reports that give you the big picture, or click on graphs and tables to get more detailed information – right down to specific claims data.
Benchmarking. See how you compare to local and regional competition as well as measuring your own past and present results, to help you strategize for the future.
Portability. All reports are easily exportable into a PowerPoint deck, Word or PDF document, or Excel spreadsheet with one click.
Customization. We can create specialized reports based on your organization’s specific needs.
The demo is free and requires no further obligation on your part. We expect that once you’ve seen MedBen Analytics in action, the advantages will speak for themselves. To schedule a demo, simply call MedBen President & CEO Kurt Harden at 888-633-2364 or email kharden@medben.com.
Reporting Insights Benefit Provider, Payer and Patient
A recent employer survey summary highlights five actionable strategies that best-performing companies are using to optimize the value of their health care plan – and coming in at number one is “ensure quality of care through value-based designs.”
The summary states: “Best performers are focused on delivering health care to their employees through value-based designs and contracting that tie payments to quality care and health care outcomes – so cost is based on real results. This model aligns the patient’s and provider’s incentives toward efficient and effective care, preventing reoccurrence of illness and reducing complications, or – when treatment is needed – getting the patient the right care and the right site of service, sooner.
“Seventeen percent of best performers are using bundled payment approaches in their medical plans, compared with only 4% of high-cost companies.”
The wisdom MedBen has gained by working with Medicare data analysis has allowed us to also offer commercial bundled payment services to employers. In doing so, self-funded plans can realize lower costs than fee-for-service payments without compromising quality of care.
Furthermore, because MedBen Analytics has accumulated and researched data on value-based care spending and clinical trends nationwide, we know the cost of high-quality, consumer-focused episodic care. We not only can identify facilities and providers who are overcharging for high-volume procedures, but we can have a meaningful discussion with those facilities and providers about contracting a reasonable commercial rate for an episode of care.
MedBen’s ability to negotiate commercial bundled episodes of care with statistics on clinical utilization and cost ensures that clients are effectively spending their health plan dollars.
MedBen Analytics draws on its experience to benefit all participants in the patient journey… see for yourself by scheduling a demo today. Simply call MedBen President & CEO Kurt Harden at 888-633-2364 or email kharden@medben.com.
New CMS Document Clarifies TKA Removal from Inpatient-Only List
The removal of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) procedures from the CMS inpatient-only list in January 2018 resulted in no small number of provider questions regarding how Medicare would pay for TKA claims under the revised rules. Initial CMS attempts to clarify billing issues served, in some cases, to only muddy things further.
This January, as part of the Medicare Learning Network (MLN), CMS issued “TKA Removal from the Medicare Inpatient-Only (IPO) List and Application of the 2-Midnight Rule.” This document was created with the purpose of explaining what this change means for Medicare providers.
As the document states, the IPO removal “allows Medicare payment to be made to the hospital for TKA procedures regardless of whether a beneficiary is admitted to the hospital as an inpatient or as an outpatient, assuming all other criteria are met.” Additionally, MLN offers examples of TKA cases and the rationale for payment determinations.
MedBen can’t state for certain that this document will clear up every question you may have about TKA claims, but since it appears to be a valid effort to address outstanding questions, we wanted to bring it to your attention.
Now, should you have any TKA questions regarding data reporting, that’s where MedBen Analytics can help. Our work with participants in the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) and Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) models have given us valuable knowledge about how providers can use bundled payment data to make improvements to patient care while unlocking profit potential.
MedBen Analytics has the solutions to help your organization evolve with the changes in health care payments. Find out more about how you can benefit from our data insights by contacting MedBen President and CEO Kurt Harden at 888-633-2364 or email kharden@medben.com.
Voluntary, Mandatory Models Go Head-to-Head in New Report
A new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) compares voluntary and mandatory bundled payment models, and may offer a hint as to which one comes out ahead.
The GAO examined six Medicare episode-based payment models that were in place in early 2018, the lone mandatory model of which was Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR). Participants in these models tended to be located in urban areas and had higher episode volume than non-participating Medicare providers.
Providers in the voluntary models were attracted by the greater participant incentives compared to mandatory models, including the ability to choose episodes that offered opportunities to implement care redesign and earn performance bonuses. Conversely, the report found that, because the mandatory models require participation, they offer a more representative sample of providers. This allows for more generalizable results, greater financial risk notwithstanding.
Since models like CJR encourage a quicker transition from traditional Medicare to value-based care, Health and Human Services Alex Azar has made known his preference for the mandatory approach… and taken in turn with the GAO findings, would indicate that we’ll be seeing more mandatory models going forward, says MedBen President & CEO Kurt Harden.
“The GAO report makes the case that while voluntary models have their place for testing feasibility and novel concepts, mandatory models offer more useful information for improving quality and savings,” Harden said. “It may not make participants happy, but if you want to control costs, mandatory is the way to go.”
Regardless of the direction bundled payment models do ultimately take, MedBen Analytics is ready to help hospitals, health systems and other providers achieve positive results from their participation. We work with both voluntary and mandatory models, and the insights offered through our innovative reporting software platform will enable your organization to ensure the highest level of care while unlocking profit potential.
If you’d like to see a demonstration of our system or want additional information about MedBen Analytics, please call Harden at 888-633-2364 or email kharden@medben.com.
CJR Study Results: Modest Savings, But Promising Future
New Harvard University research shows promising results for the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model. As published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a two-year study of bundled payments for hip and knee replacement surgeries found an average savings of $812 per event – a 3.1% cost reduction when compared to fee-for-service payments.
Most of the cost savings resulted from the increased use of post-procedural home health care in lieu of skilled nursing facilities. However, the researchers predicted further savings as the bundled payment model moves forward, noting that interest has “exploded” in recent years.
The researchers also found that, despite earlier concerns that bundled payments would incentivize providers to favor healthier, less costly patients, there was little impact on the number of higher-risk patients who received lower extremity joint replacements under the CJR model. Additionally, the use of bundled payments did not affect patient complication rates.
So while it’s still too early to draw definitive conclusions, these findings bode well for the future of CJR and value-based care in general. And as providers become more acclimated to bundled payment models, MedBen also takes the lessons learned from these models and applies them to our data reporting platform.
From the outset, the goal of MedBen Analytics was to help hospitals, health systems and physician groups use bundled payments to the best advantage of patient and provider alike. We designed our software to provide the information necessary to make informed care decisions, and offer that information in a practical, intuitive format. And we continually make modifications that reflect our collective knowledge so as to provide even greater insights.
We invite you to see for yourself how MedBen Analytics bundled payment solutions can benefit your organization. To set up a demonstration of our reporting platform, please contact MedBen President & COO Kurt Harden at 888-633-2364 or email kharden@medben.com.
A Note from our President: In 2019, Expect Change and Continued Growth
Happy New Year from the MedBen Analytics team, as well as everyone else at MedBen! I hope that 2019 brings you good health and prosperity.
As the old song (sort of) goes, what a difference a year makes! In January 2018, I wrote about how the cancellation of several mandatory bundled payment initiatives by the Department of Health and Human Services would indicate that the future growth of value-based care hinges on voluntary participation. Positive response to the voluntary Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) model introduced last March only served to further drive home the point.
But a change of leadership at HHS brought with it a change in perspective. Rather than echo his predecessor’s preference for voluntary participation, current Director Alex Azar revealed in November that he may revisit the possibility of mandatory models. No decision has been formally announced, but the initial indication is that in 2019, we will see the eventual rollout of a new mandatory initiative, most likely related to cardiac care.
We enter 2019 with many “ifs” flying around. Regardless, MedBen Analytics continues to be bullish about the long-term success of value-based care in general and bundled payments specifically. We remain committed to helping participating hospitals, health systems and physician groups achieve that success.
MedBen believes that the true buy-in from providers will only happen when a majority see first-hand how value-based care benefits them across the board — improving quality of care, reducing length of stays and readmissions, and reducing treatment costs, while at the same time not significantly affecting administrative workload. And while that’s a pretty tall order, we’re confident that our data analytics and reporting platform will continue to meet that criteria and provide the insights necessary to unlock value and efficiency
As always, we value your input. If you ever have a comment, question, or suggestion, do not hesitate to call me at 888-633-2364. I wish you all the best in 2019 and look forward to working with you.
Respectfully,
Kurt Harden
President & CEO, MedBen
Services That Make Bundled Payments Work For You
One goal of the insight newsletter is to place MedBen Analytics in a broader real-world context. But that’s not to say that the benefits of our bundled payment reporting platform don’t stand on their own!
If you haven’t checked out the MedBen Analytics website yet, we encourage you to stop by for a visit. There, we break down our services and how they can make bundled payments work for you.
- Data Presentation. Our audience-specific reports and dashboards hold various stakeholders make better decisions.
- Data Insights. We break down insights from surgeon performance to post-acute care, performance and readmission rates, and other categories.
- Action Plan. What’s your next step once you understand what the data means? We’ll help you weigh the options and create a plan.
- Measurement. How well is your plan working? We can help you compare your past and present results – from efficiencies to profits – and strategize for the future.
Of course, even a detailed description of our services can’t give you the total picture. For that, we invite you to schedule an online MedBen Analytics demonstration, and see for yourself how our advanced software turns Medicare claims data into actionable insights. We’ll highlight our reporting portal’s drill-down capability, customization, and other useful features.
The demo is free, takes just 30-45 minutes, and requires no further obligation on your part. It’s our expectation that once you’ve seen MedBen Analytics in action, the advantages will speak for themselves. To schedule a demo, simply call MedBen President & COO Kurt Harden at 888-633-2364 or email kharden@medben.com.
Successful Value-Based Care Begins with Smart Data Usage
A recent CIOReview article examined the key insights to provide value-based care… and not surprisingly, it notes that intelligent use of data and analytics is the foundation that health systems should build upon to succeed with bundled payments and other alternative payment models:
“Data and analytics have high potentials to help in improving the healthcare system and clinician performance… by leveraging modern analytics, [human resources] can be focused on areas that produce the greatest ROI.”
MedBen Analytics understands the critical role data plays in value-based care. Working with disparate data increases the risk of poor choices and internal miscommunication, so our bundled payment platform helps you gather, organize, and better interpret the data.
Once MedBen Analytics has converted the raw data into relevant and timely reporting, your decision-makers are better positioned to make the smart conclusions that can translate into more efficient care. Our insights lead to more focused intra-clinical communication, as well as more effective patient hand-offs, helping to reduce readmissions.
MedBen has over eight decades of benefits management experience… a unique perspective that we brought to the creation of bundled payment solutions. See for yourself how MedBen Analytics delivers actionable insights that turn your data into decisions (and dollars) by scheduling a demo today. Simply call MedBen President & CEO Kurt Harden at 888-633-2364 or email kharden@medben.com.
HHS May Revisit Mandatory Bundled Models
In a surprising move, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that it may still implement mandatory bundled payment models… including several initiatives that were cancelled last year.
Speaking at the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative Conference on November 8, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said the agency has reexamined its approach to value-based care. “Real experimentation with episodic bundles requires a willingness to try mandatory models. We know they are the most effective way to know whether these bundles can successfully save money and improve quality,” he said.
Azar’s comments stand in sharp contrast to previous HHS head Tom Price, who cited a preference for voluntary programs as the reason for abandoning mandatory hip fracture and cardiac bundled payment models in November 2017. In addition to revisiting some of the mandatory cardiac models, Azar said the HHS is “actively exploring new and improved episode-based models in other areas, including radiation oncology.” He noted the agency will consider more voluntary models as well.
Prior to last year’s cancellation, MedBen Analytics had already taken the necessary steps to expand our reporting portal, in order to ensure that health systems affected by the initiatives would have access to the same useful insights our current clients receive. And while those models didn’t come to pass them, our portal is designed to seamlessly accommodate future models, regardless of whether they’re mandatory or voluntary.
From the beginning, the mission of MedBen Analytics has been to provide relevant and timely bundled payment data to all providers. And as value-based care progresses, we will continue to give clients the insights they need to improve performance. If you ever have questions about how our services can help your business, please call MedBen President & CEO Kurt Harden at 888-633-2364 or email medbenanalytics@medben.com.
Next BPCI Advanced Application Period Begins Spring 2019
If you didn’t apply to participate in the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI) Advanced model earlier this year but are still interested in doing so, you don’t have too long to wait. The next application period for BPCI Advanced is scheduled to begin in Spring 2019, with the second cohort starting on January 1, 2020.
The first round of BPCI Advanced applications saw nearly 1,300 providers sign on to participate, including 832 acute care hospitals and 715 physician group practices. The new model runs from October 1, 2018 through December 31, 2023.
For those who participated in (or are familiar with) the original BPCI initiative, the new program offers additional features and incentives, such as:
- BPCI Advanced qualifies as an Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act’s (MACRA’s) Quality Payment Program. Because participants take on additional financial risk, they can earn a five percent bonus.
- The Advanced model offers participants three outpatient care episodes – Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Cardiac Defibrillator, and Back & Neck except Spinal Fusion. Meanwhile, inpatient episodes have been reduced to 29 (from the original 48), to better focus on those episodes that have demonstrated the greatest provider interest and potential for return.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will release additional details about the next application period soon. In the meantime, as with all bundled payment models, MedBen Analytics supports BPCI Advanced participants with actionable insights that turns data into decisions and profit potential. If you have any questions or are interested in viewing a demo of our current reporting platform, please contact Harden at 888-633-2364 or email kharden@medben.com.