PointCare’s Post

Important insights from Robert Pearl, M.D. in his latest Forbes article about the power of primary care in reducing chronic illness and saving billions of dollars or more. And yet, even though we “allocate just 5 cents of every healthcare dollar to primary care,” money isn’t the only fix, or possibly even the best fix. Robbie digs deeper to examine what it might take to help primary care realize its full cost- and life-saving potential.

Concerns are rising as financial challenges loom over Steward Health Care, causing anxiety among patients awaiting clarity about their care’s future. CEO John Freedman stresses the difficult choices and the need for transparency and communication during this uncertain time, stating, “The state is in a very difficult position. It can bail out the hospitals at taxpayer expense. It can force or allow merger that would further consolidate our already consolidated healthcare system. Or it can allow the facilities to close, with all the pain that bridges. None of these are good choices. It’s very difficult to work with an organization that seems to not work in the best interest of its patients.” https://lnkd.in/gR2nmrtT   

Why it’s important to establish a full picture of a patient’s health needs. Louis Seymour explains how our comprehensive review of the clinical evidence can provide you with the best possible chance of securing Continuing Healthcare funding for your loved one. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/efbAQz-H #ContinuingHealthcare #CHC #NHSContinuingHealthcare

Congress has passed a spending package to avoid a shutdown and fund key federal programs, including healthcare. One small win extended telehealth and hospital-at-home programs through March 31, 2025. However, the package does not address looming Medicare payment cuts to physicians slated for 2025. Year-over-year reductions continue to strain providers and threaten care delivery. #Healthcare #Telehealth #Medicare #PhysicianAdvocacy #Policy

In late February, Change Healthcare was subject to a #cyberattack, which significantly impacted healthcare operations nationwide, including #dialysis facility operations. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has compiled information, resources, and tools from health plans and payers to help providers manage the impact of this attack. The document includes - info to connect with payers, links to resources payers have set up (including guides to connect to alternate data clearinghouse services), information on advanced payments, and more. https://bit.ly/3TBVHvD

Bottom Line Americans’ rating of the quality of U.S. healthcare has fallen to the lowest reading in 24 years, and views of healthcare coverage nationally remain broadly negative. These views likely play into the belief that the U.S. healthcare system has major problems or is in a deep state of crisis. Cost is named as the most urgent healthcare problem in the country. Despite their widespread negativity when it comes to healthcare in the U.S., Americans largely rate their own healthcare positively.

Did you know over half of U.S. hospitals are operating at a loss? 📉 Rising costs, reimbursement cuts, and cyberattacks are pushing the healthcare industry into crisis mode. Find out what’s behind these financial struggles and how they’re impacting care. Read more here 👇 #HealthcareCrisis #HospitalFinance #HealthcareIndustry #iMedHealth

With rising financial pressures on households, managing #healthcare costs has become a significant concern for Americans. By offering payment plans for their patients, healthcare providers can improve patient retention, reduce collection costs, and more: https://lnkd.in/gi9mKdPF

Interesting article here from HFMA discussing the crucial shift to value-based care (VBC). As healthcare organizations face increasing financial pressures, transitioning to VBC is more important than ever. The article highlights the complexities involved in implementing VBC, such as navigating intricate payment structures and the need for alignment among stakeholders. For VBC to succeed, it must prioritize improving patient outcomes while ensuring financial sustainability for providers. This requires a collaborative approach where all parties work together toward common goals. For those in the healthcare field, this is a must-read to understand how we can collectively move forward in a way that benefits both patients and the healthcare system. https://lnkd.in/ggMKBYnV

Healthcare Reform: Time to Rethink the System By Dr. Bryan K. Hickman, 2024 Healthcare reform has been debated for decades, yet every plan introduced seems to fall short. From the Affordable Care Act of 2010 to the numerous proposals in 2024, none have effectively solved the fundamental problems plaguing our system. Instead of simplicity, we are met with bureaucracy, inefficiency, and rising costs. Many agree that healthcare should be free across the board. The United States, however, remains entangled in a profit-driven system that prioritizes corporations over people. A Marxist healthcare model—a system where healthcare is universally accessible and focused on equality—might provide the simplicity we desperately need. In this model, patients can select their own doctors without navigating a maze of referrals, approvals, and insurance hurdles. Take the Philippines, for example. Their system is straightforward: you walk into a clinic, see a doctor, and receive treatment—no referrals or unnecessary barriers. This approach respects the patient’s time and intelligence. Imagine if your medical file were universally accessible online, where any doctor could instantly view it with your consent. This level of efficiency is what we should aspire to. Referrals in the current U.S. system often lack common sense or basic information, leading to frustration and wasted resources. Why should patients jump through hoops to see a specialist when their health is on the line? Reform must prioritize patients, eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies, and ensure seamless access to care. Healthcare is not a privilege—it’s a right. It’s time to simplify the system, make it equitable, and put the focus back where it belongs: on the patient. #HealthcareReform #MedicalSystem #EqualityInHealthcare #MarxistModel #SimpleHealthcare All rights reserved, Dr. Bryan K. Hickman, 2024