MHA 612 Discussion – Understanding the Health Care Reform Act

MHA 612 Discussion – Understanding the Health Care Reform Act
MHA 612 Discussion – Understanding the Health Care Reform Act
How has the Patient and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (the “Health Care Reform Act”) reshaped financial arrangements between hospitals, physicians, and other providers with Medicare making a single payment for all care received by a beneficiary from 72 hours before admission to 30 days after discharge from an inpatient facility?
Guided Response: Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. Invite your peers to think about how the Medicare payments already challenge the healthcare organizations to maintain profitability and how these changes may have an even greater impact.
MHA 612 Week 2 – Discussion
Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.
MHA 612 Discussion – Understanding the Health Care Reform Act
Week 2 Discussion:
After its enactment in 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) changed the financial operations of Medicare in the U.S. As a result, patient financial responsibility increased while instilling lower reimbursement rates to providers (LaPointe, 2016). The ACA has caused some positive effects for providers and negative effects for others. On the upside, value-based care has caused an increase in a higher quality of care (LaPointe, 2016). On the downside, the change has caused an increase in unpaid patient payments (LaPointe, 2016). Post ACA, patients are responsible for more of their out-of-pocket expenses than before the implementation of the ACA. More patients are also engaged in high deductible plans which contribute to the non-payment of out-of-pocket expenses, this includes Medicare patients as well. Providers can expect to collect only 50%-70% of out-of-pocket costs from their patients post ACA as patients are buying higher deductible plans to avoid high premiums (LaPointe, 2016). Overall, the ACA is affecting physician and provider’s bottom lines. As the ACA progressed, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) imposed penalties for any providers that do not comply with certain initiatives (Page, 2013). Primary care and preventative care services are of higher value than prior to the ACA. Between 2011 and 2015, Medicare paid physicians a 10% bonus for primary care services rendered.
Reference:
LaPointe, J. (2016). How the Affordable Care Act Impacted Healthcare Revenue Cycle. Retrieved from
Page, L. (2013). 8 Ways the ACA is Affecting Doctor’s Incomes. Retrieved from
Visits to the doctor’s office are part of health treatment.
Stays in the hospital
Visits to the emergency room
X-rays
Tests in the lab
Medications on prescription
Preventive care is also important.
Well-baby check-ups
Visits to the well-woman
Immunizations
Coverage for screenings and health care
Some people acquire health insurance through their employers, while others purchase it on their own.
High medical expenditures can wipe away savings and even lead to bankruptcy if you don’t have insurance.
If you have a major sickness or accident that necessitates considerable care, health care coverage might assist protect you financially.
People’s health-care coverage is similar to the coverage they receive for their car or home.
You pay a monthly premium to your health plan issuer in exchange for coverage.
When you require medical attention (such as doctor visits, hospitalization, or medication), your health plan issuer may be able to assist you in paying for it.
What you get out of it
There are numerous benefits to getting health insurance.
Here are a few of the most notable.
Mindfulness.
Life is unpredictable, but having health insurance gives you more control and allows you to rest easy knowing that you are covered for the care you require.
When you require assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.
When you need preventive care or are sick, you can visit a doctor.
You don’t have to ignore your symptoms or hope that they’ll go away on their own.
You have time to seek treatment before things worsen.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Preventive care allows you to catch small symptoms before they escalate into major issues.
Mammograms and cholesterol testing, for example, can detect problems early on, when they’re easier to treat.