17 Jun Health Data News Roundup: CMS to Recalculate Medicare Advantage Star Ratings; Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Bill; and VBC and Humana

Welcome to the Health Data Weekly News Round Up from IMAT Solutions. As the power of data continues to grow in the healthcare arena, today’s care organizations need to be on the forefront of all news and trends to help ensure that their data analytics efforts deliver accountable and informed care. Each week, we will provide you with the actionable news you need to meet these goals.

Report: CMS to Recalculate Medicare Advantage Star Ratings
CMS will recalculate star ratings for Medicare Advantage plans after insurers challenging the agency’s methodology were handed court victories, sources told The Wall Street Journal. The impact of the recalculation will vary by plan, but many expect the redo will raise the agency’s bonus payments overall.

Lawmakers Take Aim at Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization
A group of U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at reforming the Medicare Advantage prior authorization process. The bill would establish an electronic prior authorization process for MA plans including a standardization for transactions and clinical attachments.

How Inaccurate Provider Data from Payers Impacts Access to Care
When payers’ online provider information is wrong, it may impact not only members’ access to care but also the level of member-payer trust, according to a new study.

How Payers Can Leverage Data in Contract Negotiations
Payers can play a key role in providing accurate data to providers throughout the negotiation process, allowing for real-time intervention capabilities to influence patient outcomes, according to this recent Health Leaders article.

Experts Share Health Equity Advances in Value-Based Care at CMS Conference
During the CMS Health Equity conference, the “Implementing Health Equity Through Value-Based Care for People in Medicare” session featured a series of expert speakers who detailed cutting-edge developments in post-acute care and fee-for-service Medicare.

Humana’s Value-Based Kidney Care Strategy
Value-based strategy helped Humana improve outcomes and reduce costs for patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. Last week, the company published an issue brief detailing its strategy for value-based kidney care June 11.

DirectTrust Partners with DTA on New Accreditation Program
DirectTrust and the Digital Therapeutics Alliance announced last week that they’ll work together on an accreditation program designed to test the efficacy and security of digital-therapeutic apps and platforms.