First Choice Health

As we celebrate , we want to share an article highlighting insights from CEO Leah Binder of the The Leapfrog Group on the healthcare workforce, patient safety and more.

In a Leap Year, Leapfrog Group hopes to see big jumps in patient safety Leah Binder, CEO of the Leapfrog Group, talks about patient safety, the link of safety to retaining workers, the patient experience, and why parking shouldn’t be an afterthought.

Good news is always welcome: In 2023, health care employment grew at its fastest clip since 1991. Last year saw an expansion of 3.9% in health care jobs – much higher than the 1.5% growth rate across all other industries.

Health care jobs grew at fastest rate in over 30 years Health care is playing a big role in fueling a strong labor market, even as the industry grapples with high levels of burnout.

The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) highlighted AI as a priority for the first time ever. Others include reforming the Physician Self-Referral Law, known as the Stark Law, to align with value-based payment reform; and promoting standardization and efficiency.

AI, with potential benefits and risks, lands among top priorities in health care MGMA publishes its 2024 Advocacy Agenda with position paper on artificial intelligence included for the first time.

Physicians Practice has shared a guest piece by our own Anisha Sood and Troy Williams on the potential benefits of a direct-to-employer model for physicians in private practices.

Direct-to-employer contracting and private practice When done correctly, doctors become the ‘quarterback’ leading a patient care team.

A new report from Deloitte finds that successful generative AI integration will require healthcare leaders to shift their focus from data-focused transformation, and instead choose an approach that drives ethics and trust as much as organizational change.

Healthcare should broaden efforts to scale genAI, say IT leaders There's too little focus on governance, patient preferences and workforce needs among leaders seeking to implement generative AI, according to a new Deloitte survey of 60 healthcare executives.

“Employers now have specific requirements to publicly disclose information about their health plans. Some fear employers can open themselves up to class-action lawsuits brought about by employee plan participants for failing to adequately monitor health plan administrators and the reasonableness of health plan fees.”

Read on for more about this underdiscussed risk for employers, via InsuranceNewsNet.

What employer health plan fiduciaries must know about disclosure requirements Employers now have specific requirements to publicly disclose information about their health plans. Some fear employers can open themselves up to class-action lawsuits brought about by employee plan participants for failing to adequately monitor health plan administrators and the reasonableness of h...

“The Lancet review found children of color are less likely to get diagnostic imaging and more likely to experience complications during and after some surgical procedures. They face longer wait times for care at the emergency room, and they are less likely to get diagnosed and treated for a developmental disability.”

Kids of color get worse health care across the board in the U.S., research finds From neonatal and primary care to emergency medicine, kids got lower-quality care than their white peers, researchers found. Disparities include longer waits and less pain medication for broken bones.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the “Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH)” Model, which could transform how we address the complex healthcare needs of individuals struggling with both mental and physical health challenges.

CMS Unveils "Innovation in Behavioral Health" Model CMS launches Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model to bridge the gap between behavioral and physical health

If you’re a healthcare employer, it’s worth reading about the Department of Labor’s (DOL) recently issued new rules regarding Employee Classification that may impact your industry.

Healthcare Employers: Don’t Miss New Employee Classification Requirements The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a new rule Regarding Employee Classification that may impact employers within the healthcare industry. The new rule promulgated by the DOL gives updated guideposts on proper classifications of independent contractors and employees and will make it more d...

The Commonwealth Fund deeply investigated why U.S. healthcare costs are twice as high as those of peer nations. The largest culprit to our astronomical prices in the U.S. is administrative costs, specifically, a higher administrative burden on providers.

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2023/oct/high-us-health-care-spending-where-is-it-all-going

High U.S. Health Care Spending: Where Is It All Going? Administrative costs, prescription drugs, and physician and nurse wages may contribute to excess health spending in the U.S., compared with peer nations.

Employers surveyed by the Business Group on Health said that they want to see evolution in how they work with pharmacy benefit managers, with 73% saying they would like additional data on compensation and pricing.

https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/large-self-insured-employers-list-top-healthcare-challenges-theyll-face-year

Business Group: These are the top healthcare challenges employers expect to face this year Self-insured employers are set to face plenty of challenges this year, ranging from addressing the mental health needs of their workforces to developing strategies for on-site clinics amid a pivot | Mental health, pharmacy costs and vendor partnerships among the top healthcare concerns for large, se...

An a**lysis from Axios on how stronger legal requirements for employers along with secrecy around negotiated health care prices are complicating decision-making for employers.
https://www.axios.com/2024/01/18/companies-health-care-costs-overpaying-law

Employers are struggling to figure out if they're overpaying for health care Employers say secrecy around negotiated health care prices often prevents them from figuring out if they're getting a good deal for workers.

“Healthcare/products companies and manufacturers, including hospitals, announced 58,560 job cuts in 2023, a 91% increase from the 30,626 cuts announced the year prior.” This staggering statistic from a Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. study means that healthcare had the third-most job cuts last year among 30 industries and sectors.
https://bit.ly/3S4S1Sv

Healthcare job cuts up 91% from 2022 Healthcare/products companies and manufacturers, including hospitals, announced the third-most job cuts in 2023 among 30 industries and sectors measured, according to one new a**lysis.

Some healthcare experts are referring to 2024 as “2023 2.0” due to how much costs are driving decision-making in employer-sponsored health plans. Regardless of the deja vu, Health Payer Intelligence says that “2024 is the year that employers must be creative to reduce healthcare costs.”
https://bit.ly/3S2uuS1

2024 Employer Sponsored Health Plan Predictions: GLP-1s, Vendors, Data Employer-sponsored health plans will reassess their partnerships with vendors in 2023 and will seek to rein in healthcare spending.

Whether you agree or not, Health Tech Magazine has an interesting deep dive into AI’s future in healthcare, with insight including how consumer trust needs to be strengthened and how the government should push an innovation-first, risk-based approach. https://bit.ly/3Hd2CWf

The AI Revolution in Healthcare Is Here to Stay BBB National Programs Director of Privacy Initiatives Divya Sridhar explains how regulation, improved patient trust and accountability can support AI initiatives in healthcare.

A recent survey found that 43% of patients reported that communication challenges with providers negatively impacted their health, with nearly 60% saying they’d be willing to switch doctors following a flawed communications experience.
https://bit.ly/3vsz0BQ

Many patients want more streamlined texting experience with their providers, survey finds Nearly half of patients have missed or forgotten to pay a bill because of difficulties communicating with their providers’ offices,

The team at Becker's Hospital Review knows a thing or two about healthcare trends, so here are plenty more to consider as your 2024 planning continues, including massive payers, the movement to value-based care, and preventive health.
https://bit.ly/3U0RcfM

12 healthcare trends and issues we are following for 2024 US healthcare providers face a daunting year ahead with challenges like a worsening physician shortage, payer power, mental health crisis, private equity, preve

As employers strive to provide competitive benefits in 2024, they face strong headwinds including health care costs and stubborn inflation.

Read on for ways employers plan to navigate this complicated environment. https://bit.ly/3NQk2Mc

Employers seek to navigate rising expenses for health care workers | BenefitsPRO The average per-employee cost of employer-sponsored health insurance rose by 3.2% in 2022, according to the survey.

“In the past year, 70% of hospitals implemented or increased sign-on bonuses, 59% raised new hire pay, 54% upped their minimum wage scale, and 52% increased or added referral bonus programs, according to a survey by Aon."
https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/strategy/hospitals-increasing-pay-benefits-fight-workforce-turnover

Hospitals Increasing Pay, Benefits to Fight Workforce Turnover Retaining and attracting talent remains a priority for organizations.

Employee Benefit News has a great round-up of considerations for 2024 that may help shape your business strategy, from minimizing medical costs to reimagining mental health care. https://www.benefitnews.com/list/hr-and-benefit-leaders-10-lessons-for-2024

HR and benefit leaders' top 10 lessons to take into 2024 EBN's most-read op-eds of 2023 paint a picture of the strategies and considerations that will make the new year a success.

Thank you, Fierce Healthcare for your up-to-the-minute reporting on all the exciting developments at for those who were unable to attend. What announcement are you the most excited about?

HLTH23 | Fierce Healthcare

Advisory Board shares 10 trends that Trilliant Health calls out as having a major impact on the healthcare economy. Which trend do you see playing out in your own world – and which is most surprising?

10 trends shaping the healthcare economy — and what you should do next Trilliant Health recently published a list of 10 trends shaping the healthcare economy in 2023. The data in the report aligns with many of our own predictions, so Advisory Board has provided guidance for each trend to help stakeholders navigate today's healthcare economy.

Health Affairs delves into the promise of value-based care and its meaningful impact on consumers. Along the journey towards better healthcare, it's crucial to ensure that the transition to value-based care isn't just a concept but a reality for patients.

Making The Promise Of Value-Based Care Meaningful To Consumers | Health Affairs Forefront As consumer/patient advocacy members of the Health Care Transformation Task Force, a multistakeholder consortium committed to accelerating the pace of value-based care transformation, we strongly support ongoing efforts to move to a person-centered value-based payment system that prioritizes strateg...

A new survey from Voya highlighted in SHRM finds that 79% of employed Americans have concerns about their benefits costing more this open enrollment season because of .

As Open Enrollment Nears, More Employees Voice Cost Concerns Ahead of open enrollment, employees are preparing for a rise in their benefits costs in 2024, with more worrying about increased costs this year than last, when inflation was red-hot.

The American Hospital Association is advocating for a sector-specific approach to AI in healthcare. Tailoring AI would allow for additional oversight and opportunities to evaluate unique risks posed in each area. What are your opinions on using AI in the industry?

AHA advocates for 'sector-specific' approach to AI Such an approach, the group said, would allow oversight organizations to tailor their regulations to the particular risks linked to AI.

Exciting read from Becker's Hospital Review about companies like Best Buy and Costco making bold moves into healthcare services. This trend has the potential to disrupt the healthcare industry and make healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Best Buy, Costco and more: 5 companies pivoting to healthcare Explore how five big-name companies are disrupting the healthcare sector: Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Meijer, and Uber.

Congratulations to the top healthcare innovators of 2023!
These individuals and their organizations are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare, making it more affordable, accessible, and equitable for all.

Modern Healthcare's top 25 innovators in 2023 Modern Healthcare recently released its annual list of the top innovators in healthcare, recognizing individuals and organizations that have helped drive change across the industry to improve quality, affordability, accessibility, and more. See who made the list.

"We know about the wage gap and other products that are in market, like the 'pink tax.’”

Women get less value out of their benefits than men do: Deloitte study Women face greater medical costs than men and, as such, are getting significantly less value out of their benefits, according to a new a**lysis from Deloitte. | Women face greater medical costs than men and, as such, are getting significantly less value out of their benefits, according to a new a**l...

Few hospitals excel in racial inclusivity and health equity work. This is a missed opportunity to improve the health and well-being of all patients and employees. Patient Engagement HIT has more details from a recent report from Lown Institute.

Few Hospitals Excel in Racial Inclusivity, Health Equity Work The Lown Institute has published its rankings of the most racially inclusive hospitals, showing few excel—and few fail—at serving a population that reflects the community it's located in.

A study from JAMA Internal Medicine raises questions about the lack of transparency of hospital pricing. Healthcare Dive breaks down the data that suggests hospitals may lack internal clarity on their own prices.

Hospitals share differing medical prices online versus over the phone, secret shopper survey finds The study raises new questions about the dependability of hospital pricing, and builds on a mountain of research finding wide variance in pricing between different hospitals — and within the same facility.