Fast & Furious: Healthcare Policy Edition

During his first month in office, President Donald Trump’s administration has rolled out edicts calling for significant changes at a fast and furious pace, with a number of healthcare agencies and programs across the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) targeted. In an attempt to keep up with the latest actions of the legislative and executive branches of the federal government, this Health Capital Topics article summarizes recent events in Washington and the impact of these changes (both imminent and impending) on providers and patients. (Read more...)

MedPAC Recommends Hospital & Physician Payment Updates

During its January 2025 meeting, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) reviewed and endorsed recommendations for Medicare payment reform and updates. Among other decisions, the commission recommended revisions to the annual Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) update methodology and increased pay rates to hospitals under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). This Health Capital Topics article reviews MedPAC’s recommendations, responses from industry stakeholders, and the likelihood that the commission’s recommendations will be enacted by Congress. (Read more...)

Valuation Standards in Healthcare

The term “value” has many different meanings and definitions to different parties. Therefore, at the outset of each valuation engagement, it is critical to define appropriately (and have all parties agree to) the standard of value to be employed in developing the valuation opinion. The standard of value defines the type of value to be determined and answers the question “value to whom?” There are several standards of value that may be sought, including: Fair Market Value (FMV), Fair Value, Investment Value, and Liquidation Value. (Read more...) 

Valuation of Cardiovascular Services:

Reimbursement Environment

The U.S. government is the largest payor of medical costs, through Medicare and Medicaid, and has a strong influence on reimbursement to hospitals. In 2023, Medicare and Medicaid accounted for an estimated $1.03 trillion and $871.8 billion in healthcare spending, respectively. The prevalence of these public payors in the healthcare marketplace often results in their acting as a price setter, and being used as a benchmark for private reimbursement rates. This third installment in a five-part series on the valuation of cardiovascular services reviews the reimbursement environment in which these providers operate. (Read more...) 

NEW ARTICLE!

"Highlights of the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule" authored by HCC President, Todd A. Zigrang, MBA, MHA, FACHE, CVA, ASA, ABV, and, HCC Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Jessica Bailey-Wheaton, Esq., was published by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) in QuickRead.

For more recently published material written by HCC, please visit www.healthcapital.com

 

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REGISTER NOW!

Don’t miss out on the American Bar Association (ABA) 26th Annual Emerging Issues in Healthcare Law Conference from April 2-5, 2025! HCC’s Jessica Bailey-Wheaton, Esq. will be presenting alongside Hannah Newman of Hancock Daniel, and Jessica LaManna who is Chief Operations Counsel of Universal Health Services. They will be discussing "Physician Compensation Arrangements: When to Take Them Outside."

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