Adding mental health care to your PCP is not more costly for insurers: study
Insurance companies will, in the worst case scenario, reach the “break-even point” of the investment, according to a study. The study notes that the primary care office model is not intended for people with more severe forms of mental illness, such as schizophrenia or major depression.
The Philadelphia Inquirer: Penn Medicine, IBX report shows savings from mental health care in primary care
Research by Penn Medicine and Independence Blue Cross found that a new model of providing and paying for mental health services in primary care practices does not increase overall costs for insurers. The two institutions have been studying a new billing code since 2018 created to help healthcare providers address mental health issues. Their work previously showed that linking primary care and mental health services increased the number of patients receiving needed behavioral health care and led to mental health problems. health improvements. Researchers have long discovered strong links between physical and mental health. (Brubaker, 10/18)
In company updates –
Modern Healthcare: Henry Ford Health and Ascension Michigan Plan to Partner
Henry Ford Health and Ascension Michigan plan to form a combined $10.5 billion health system with 13 hospitals in the Detroit area, the nonprofit health systems announced Wednesday. Detroit-based Henry Ford and St. Louis-based Ascension’s Michigan division described the deal as a joint venture, although Ascension Michigan’s eight acute-care hospitals and an addiction treatment center involved in the cashless deal would be renamed Henry. Ford facilities and led by Henry Ford President and CEO Robert Riney. (Kacik, 10/18)
Stat: Dana-Farber CEO: Mass General separation will benefit patients
Laurie Glimcher trained at Massachusetts General Hospital. His father was director of orthopedic surgery there and his son is currently a thoracic surgeon at the hospital. But Glimcher, CEO of the neighboring Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, has no qualms about making the controversial decision to end a 30-year partnership with Massachusetts General’s parent organization. (DeAngelis, 10/18)
Modern healthcare: VIllageMD names Village Medical, Summit Health and CityMD as leaders
Walgreens-backed VillageMD is adding leadership roles to oversee its Village Medical, Summit Health and CityMD operations. The leadership appointments come as Walgreens views VillageMD as the company’s primary growth engine. Dr. Rishi Sikka, former president of systems businesses at Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health, has been named president of Village Medical, which offers primary care services in its clinics and via telehealth. (Hudson, 10/18)
Axios Cleveland: Cleveland Clinic Spent 1.5% on Charity, While Paying CEO $6.6 Million
The Cleveland Clinic is once again under the spotlight for its limited investments in the community. The clinic is one of 12 large nonprofit hospitals that spent less than 2% of their total revenue on charity care in 2021, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Health recently found. retirements. (Allard, 10/18)
Becker Hospital Review: Closed North Carolina Hospital Failed to Submit Compliance Reports for 5 Years
Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health admitted it failed to provide compliance reports to the state of North Carolina regarding the closure of Martin General Hospital for five years, the local news outlet reported WITN on October 18. The Williamston, North Carolina-based hospital closed in August. 3 due to financial difficulties. Quorum Health owns Williamston Hospital Corp., which operated Martin General. The revelations came after an investigation by North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. (Schwartz, 10/18)
In other healthcare industry developments –
Cutthroat health care: Washington state hospitals sue to block state’s charitable care policy update
Washington hospitals are considering suing their state’s Department of Health over a September notice requiring certain providers to offer charity care to poor patients, regardless of where in the world they live. (Muoio, 10/18)
Modern healthcare: Hospital price transparency data helps employers negotiate costs
Employers across the country are using price transparency data to change health plan benefits and pressure hospitals to lower prices. Historically, employers have been reluctant to limit employee choice by removing ineffective health care providers from their health plan networks. But that sentiment has changed as employers continue to see costs rise. (Kacik, 10/18)
Axios NW Arkansas: Mejo app simplifies medical record keeping
Ryan Sheedy, the parent of a child with a rare genetic mutation, grew tired of filling out repetitive forms for each new specialist’s office. So he created an app. (Sparkman, 10/18)
Modern Healthcare: Why Community Hospital Provides On-Site Child Care for Staff and Community
Lack of child care can limit employment opportunities for many parents, which also affects the entire workforce. The situation is particularly worrying for sectors like health, which are already struggling to find qualified personnel. Community Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, addressed the problem head on by opening its own early childhood education center on campus. Tawny Espinoza, director of development at the hospital, explains how leaders achieved this. (10/18)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Experts want nurses to adopt AI in the workplace
Artificial intelligence (AI) is slowly making its way into many professions, from personal training to marketing. This shows particular promise in health care, but experts say buy-in from nurses and other clinical professionals is essential. Although AI has the potential to make work easier in many ways, many in healthcare – and other industries – fear being replaced by the latest technology. But a recent article in Med Page Today argues that the risk to job security is far outweighed by the potential benefits of AI, and encourages nurses to embrace the coming changes. (Williams, 10/18)