News Opinion

Taking the Pulse of Primary Care in the Age of the ACO, By Richard Asinof, ConvergenceRI

The Margolin Group applauds Al Puerini for his ongoing effort as the CEO of Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corporation (RIPCPC) — the largest independent practice association (IPA) of primary care physicians in Rhode Island — and as a Partner in the Win44RI Initiative to transform the way healthcare is paid for and delivered in the State. His ardent support for and advocacy of the patient through primary care has helped to strengthen relationships between those who seek care in Rhode Island and those who deliver […]

Medicare Vies to Keep ACOs on Board with More Flexible Rules, by Bob Herman, ModernHealthcare

Medicare recently released a final rule for accountable care organizations (ACOs) that provides them with greater flexibility in selecting a risk-sharing arrangement. Specifically, Medicare ACOs may now select a risk-sharing model that offers greater financial risk with a potentially higher return. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been working to refine ACO rules to ensure a “balance between maintaining the program’s rigor and making sure providers continue to participate.” Click Here to Read the Full ModernHealthcare Article Click Here to Read the Full CMS Rule

Why Insurance Doesn’t Always Prevent Giant Medical Bills, Article by Margot Sanger-Katz, The New York Times

A recent article published in The New York Times highlights the growing problem of ‘underinsurance’ in the U.S. In fact, 23 percent of Americans were considered “underinsured” in 2014 (defined as “someone who has paid more than 10 percent of household income in medical bills in the last year or had a deductible that was at least 5 percent of their income”). The full study, conducted by The Commonwealth Fund, notes that underinsured individuals received a range of coverage […]

The Bricks and Mortar of a New Model of Health Care Delivery Emerges, Article by Richard Asinof, ConvergenceRI

According to a recent article by ConvergenceRI, Blackstone Valley Community Health Care, in affiliation with Care New England’s Memorial Hospital, will soon launch an innovative Neighborhood Health Station — the first of its kind in Rhode Island. These Neighborhood Health Stations have been touted by the Rhode Island Department of Health as an effective way to provide comprehensive community-based care under one roof (including dentists, pharmacists, and others) and to expand access […]

American Express Company Elects Michael Leavitt to Board of Directors, Press Release Posted by American Express

The Margolin Group commends the appointment of Mike Leavitt by American Express to its Board of Directors. As a trusted friend, colleague and strategic thought partner to the Margolin Group, Mike and his firm, Leavitt Partners, continually seeks creative, collaborative solutions to vexing healthcare issues. According to the American Express press release, “Governor Leavitt has tremendous leadership experience serving as three-time elected Governor of Utah and a track record of […]

Nurses and Physicians Need to Learn Together in Order to Work Together, Article by Maja Djukic, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

A new report published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation highlighted the importance of collaborative practice between nursing and medical students. Specifically, the report outlines the groundbreaking New York University project called, ‘NYU3T: Teaching, Technology, Teamwork.’ The Margolin Group supports such collaborative, ‘barrier busting’ team-based care and coverage as a way to improve coordination and quality while reducing costs. Click Here to Read More About the NYU3T: Teaching, Technology, Teamwork Project Click Here to Read […]

Secrets of the ACO That Gave Its Savings to Its Employees, Article Posted by Integrated Healthcare News

The Margolin Group applauds the decision by Coastal Medical of Rhode Island to share its ACO shared savings rewards with its employees. This move represents a significant step toward the development of a fully aligned system of healthcare and coverage in which ‘everyone wins.’ When incentives align, The Margolin Group believes cost, quality, safety and service experience improve to the benefit of all parties, in particular the individuals and communities […]

Can Transparency Tools Further the ACA’s Goals of Reducing Costs?, Editorial by Heather Drost, California HealthLine

The passage of the Affordable Care Act has prompted an increase in the need for more ‘healthcare price and quality information as consumers shoulder a larger share of healthcare costs, particularly through the rise in popularity of high-deductible health plans.’ California HealthLine explores the effectiveness of healthcare transparency tools in reducing healthcare costs and improving quality. Click Here to read the Full California HealthLine Editorial

Admitted to Your Bedroom: Some Hospitals Try Treating Patients at Home, Article by Daniela J. Lamas, The New York Times

In order to improve quality of care, enhance the patient experience and reduce costs, several hospital systems have begun ‘taking the house call to the extreme’ by offering intensive, hospital-style treatments in the home. Click Here to Read the Full New York Times Article

Embedding Civil Legal Aid Services in Care for High-Utilizing Patients Using Medical-Legal Partnership, Article by Jeffrey Martin, Audrey Martin, Catherine Schultz and Megan Sandel, Health Affairs Blog

A growing number of hospital systems are embedding lawyers in inter-professional health teams to address a patient’s social, financial and environmental problems that require legal assistance to remedy. Lawyers and caregivers in these teams facilitate expanded access to healthcare benefits and services. The Margolin Group supports similar innovative work through The Gitenstein Institute for Health Law and Policy, which links law and medicine to break down psychosocial, financial, and societal barriers to care and to improve healthcare quality outcomes. Click Here […]