June Gower, Ph.D, MSN, LNC, RN

Are you inundating your patients with messages❓ Are they receiving the right information at the right time❓ Download "Your Guide to Governance," a comprehensive resource designed to help you effectively manage your patient communications strategy enterprise-wide. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝟓 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮: ✅ Understand the risks of over-messaging and digital fatigue ✅ Break down silos and establish a governance committee ✅ Measure, iterate, and improve your enterprise-wide communication strategy ➡️ Download the full governance guide and workbook here » https://lnkd.in/gGHjjExa #healthcare #patientexperience #digitalhealth #medtech #healthtech

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What does calling my cable company have to do with Medicaid? I had to call a certain notorious cable/internet provider recently. The one with customer service so bad that it was skewered in a classic South Park episode. I blocked out an hour and braced for my inevitable PCOM aneurysm rupture. Shockingly, it was a breeze. The rep was friendly, and my issue vanished in minutes—a far cry from their usual 'dial-one-to-scream-into-the-void' reputation. So, what changed? Competition happened. A decade ago, our choices for cable and internet were as limited as the soda options in a health spa. Now, thanks to a buffet of streaming services—even including live local TV—the old cable giants had to step up their game or step aside. Turns out, competition is more effective than caffeine at improving service quality. Why can't Medicaid beneficiaries get the same treatment? Currently, most Medicaid coverage is through Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), where the state pays a fixed monthly rate per patient. This model should spur cost-efficiency, but it often just limits the scope of care. Low payments to doctors, restricted access to necessary services—who does that help? Could strict government regulations guarantee better service? Maybe, but FA Hayek (and a basic reading of history) prove that bureaucracy alone can't engineer excellence. And choice for Medicaid patients? Virtually non-existent. Many areas offer just one MCO. If you're dissatisfied, too bad—there's no alternative. It's like being stuck with dial-up in the era of fiber optics. Long wait times for basic procedures, no freedom to seek better coverage... It's eerily reminiscent of the old cable monopoly days. In the private sector, at least there's a semblance of choice: HMOs, PPOs, HSAs... But for Medicaid recipients? Sorry, the state chooses for you. Hope you like it. Our Medicaid system desperately needs a dose of competition. Isn't it time we offer Medicaid patients the luxury of choice that drives quality up and costs down? https://t.co/C7XE6CpIIP Joe Grogan Lisa Grabert Joanne Spetz Cheerag Upadhyaya, MD, MBA, MSc, FAANS, FACS Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, FAANS, FACS Sanjay Dhall Larry Bucshon, M.D.

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When used purposefully and responsibly, artificial intelligence improves equity in every part of a hospital, including the emergency department. Previous research found Black patients have a 20% greater chance of being mis-triaged in the emergency department, potentially delaying urgently needed care. Now, the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research is developing a clinical decision support tool that runs on machine learning to improve emergency department patient assessments. #AI #EmergencyMedicine #HealthEquity https://ow.ly/Rlz450Ub6NP

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In a move to streamline care, LA Care Health Plan which managed Medi-Cal and several other plans for low-income Californians is cutting back 24% of its prior authorization requirements. "This change aims to reduce administrative burdens and speed up patient access to necessary treatments," the article explains. This is good to see. Could significantly benefit patient care by removing unnecessary delays in treatment approvals. Devil is in the details but still good progress, particularly for the most vulnerable. Check out the article by Nona Tepper in Modern Healthcare at https://lnkd.in/evVP3eqP

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On October 8th, U.S. News & World Report released its annual rankings of Children's Hospitals, called "Best Children's Hospitals". It is a 174-page report describing the methodology and data tables which I scanned through. Appendix C-10 has the data on Pediatric Pulmonology which I took a deep dive into. In the attached carousel, I have recreated two datasets that matter. If I were to shop around for a hospital for my care, what really matters to me is the outcome data for a particular condition I am seeking care for and not the reputation score. However what separates the top-ranked "Best Children's Hospitals" is their reputation scores, not the outcome scores for selected conditions as in asthma here. It's a different matter whether the outcome scores used in the rankings are good measures. We will discuss them in another post. What are your thoughts? Feel free to like, share, and comment. #healthcare #hospitals #physician

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How can Medi-Cal improve its transportation benefit? In 2020, the California Health Care Foundation released a study of the Medicaid benefit, calling out several ways the state and managed care plans could make it better for members, providers, and California. Have those recommendations been implemented? Read our latest blog to find out. https://hubs.li/Q02B9_780

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In a recent PCC interview, Blue Shield of California's Peter Long urged policymakers to set clear outcome measures for defining health care success and ensure health plans allow flexibility to support improvement. Hear more from this primary care champion: https://lnkd.in/dYYsGwAD

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#Oregon Health Authority launches Oregon Health Forward alongside the Transparency, Accountability, and Belonging Initiative (TABI) tacked on to the recently released updated #strategic plan. Plenty of #BHAG’s along with partnership & possible grants from the #CDC Foundation. Plans a big Culminating Event next fall. Interestingly, population based payments for rural Oregon hospitals (ala Pennsylvania & Vermont) are under consideration. #HealthcareReform #HealthcareTransformation #SDoH #Medicaid #HealthcareCosts #HealthcareQuality #PopulationHealth #BehavioralHealth #PublicPrivatePartnership #PublicPrivatePartnerships #MentalHealth #TripleAim

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Remember to tune in to Blue Shield of California's webinar on primary care delivery in California today at 12 PM PT. Learn from our CEO, Khanh Gia Nguyen, and other industry leaders on steps being taken to improve primary care service delivery in California and the launch of a value-based payment pilot. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eqwr4RH6 #primarycare #valuebasedcare #healthcareinnovation

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#HASC2024AM 12:45, Laviana: Hear how Zephyr Healthcare Advisors & Altius Healthcare helped a CA hospital address post-pandemic workforce issues and save $12 million yearly. Zephyr is now assisting a SoCal hospital with these challenges. #workforce #performanceimprovement

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As Denver Health strives to become Colorado's most trusted healthcare provider, its mission is grounded in core values of respect, belonging, and responsibility. In this conversation, Amy Friedman and Sharif Abdelhamid, leaders in Denver Health’s experience department, share insights on how a committed workforce and robust community partnerships enable the essential hospital to deliver high-quality, safe care. Together, they discuss how these guiding values help Denver Health foster trust, bring hope, and promote healing among marginalized populations. Listen to the podcast https://ow.ly/UaMH50Ue5MN

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Promoting digital equity in #healthcare is essential for accessibility! In California, health care entities have numerous opportunities at the state level to elevate digital equity needs. Learn more in this ITUP Issue Brief! https://lnkd.in/gcEYT_sX

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Discover why healthcare providers struggle with manual Revenue Cycle Management and how automation or outsourcing can resolve these challenges.

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Healthcare organizations are looking for creative ways to reduce provider burnout and improve the quality of documentation. It's important to include appropriate oversight from a governance perspective with your strategy.

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Secretary Xavier Becerra, has declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) to address the devastating health impacts of the wildfires in Los Angeles County. This declaration, following President Biden’s major disaster declaration, enables greater flexibility for healthcare providers to support Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries during this challenging time. HHS and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) are working tirelessly alongside state and local officials to provide critical public health and medical support. From deploying responders and medical resources to sharing wildfire-specific preparedness tools, we are committed to ensuring the safety and recovery of affected communities. Key initiatives include: ✅ Mobilizing the Long Beach Medical Reserve Corps to assist local efforts. ✅ Leveraging the HHS emPOWER program to support at-risk residents reliant on medical equipment and services. ✅ Offering 24/7 emotional support via the Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990). ✅ Providing HIPAA waivers and guidance to streamline emergency healthcare delivery. Together, these actions reflect a coordinated response to support individuals, hospitals, and shelters affected by this crisis. Our thoughts remain with all impacted, and we stand ready to assist in recovery and healing. ---- https://lnkd.in/e3XgeFNF. ----- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) American Hospital Association American Medical Association

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CDI2 is transforming health care through data science. This annual report highlights the work that’s improving outcomes, especially for marginalized communities, and shaping care far beyond California. 📖 Read it here: https://bit.ly/3BWT7LV #DataDrivenInnovation Cora Han Atul Butte

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🌟 Whether you’ve determined now is the time for you to begin the process toward FACHE or you’re still deciding, the next stop on your journey is our FACHE Overview Webinar. This webinar is free for you to attend but it requires registration. Learn more and save your place here: https://bit.ly/3MkxxT8

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Once again, we see patients stuck in the middle of a payor/provider negotiation. The stakes seem to get higher and higher for both sides. This article puts out a couple of observations: Stremikis noted that as mergers occur in the health industry, patients are left with fewer choices. Any time there are disputes, disruptions are felt more widely. And such fights rarely result in lower costs for consumers long-term across California; and A KFF analysis found widespread evidence that consolidation of health providers leads to higher health care prices for private insurance. The same brief from 2020 found some evidence suggesting that large, consolidated insurance companies are able to obtain lower prices from providers, but that has not necessarily led to lower premiums for patients. Lets hope the pendulum swings back into equilibrium soon... https://lnkd.in/gwfkXFPt

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