Obama administration revises Medicare rules for coordinated care

[alp227]

Source: Wash. Post

The Obama administration on Thursday substantially revised the rules of a program under the 2010 health-care law aimed at encouraging doctors and hospitals to coordinate care. The final regulations grant medical providers far more flexibility than a draft proposal released in March.

The move was greeted with jubilation by groups representing doctors and hospitals. But organizations for insurers and employers complained that the administration’s concessions increased the likelihood that providers will consolidate, reducing competition and driving up prices.

The program directs Medicare to offer financial incentives for medical providers to band together in “accountable care organizations,” or ACOs, which handle care for patients across a full range of settings, including primary-care and specialist offices, hospitals, and nursing facilities.

Advocates maintain it could set an example that prompts private insurers and employers to enter into similar arrangements, transforming the way care is delivered in the United States.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-administration-revises-medicare-rules-for-coordinated-care/2011/10/20/gIQAsT7W1L_story.html

[Poll_Blind]

1. Well, if the Obama administration did it I'm sure it was to cut consumers a bigger break.

(reads)

Oh.

PB

[jpbollma]

2. and

the "reform" becomes ever less a reform..

[BlueMTexpat]

3. If organizations for insurers are against it, it

is probably a good thing.

[No Elephants]

4. Any health care provider who is not already coordinating with other known care providers

is committing malpractice.

[rpannier]

5. increased the likelihood...driving up prices

Like they ever needed an excuse
That's all they do is drive up prices, decrease benefits and pay big bonuses

They're probably cheering this as it gives them an excuse to do what they were going to try and do anyway.

For the record...I support the administration on this.
I just accept the fact that this will be their (insurance industries) new excuse