News & Updates, Health Care Finance & Policy, Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts News & Updates,Health and Human Services,Commonwealth of Massachusetts /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/news-and-updates.xml /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/news-and-updates.html © 2011 Commonwealth of Massachusetts 2011-10-04T00:00:00Z Hospitals Funded For Alternative Payment Models Health and Human Services eohhs http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2012/2012522-administration-proposal-approved.html 2012-05-22 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2012-05-22 00:00:00.0 Massachusetts Acute Hospital Financial Performance Report Health and Human Services eohhs http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/dhcfp-publications.html#hosp_fin 2012-05-17 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2012-05-17 00:00:00.0

The Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP) has released the Massachusetts Acute Hospital Financial Performance Fiscal Year 2011, Q1-Q3 report, which provides industry analyses and comparisons of financial performance trends.

 Health Care Cost Trends Preliminary Report - Premiums and Expenditures Health and Human Services eohhs http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/health-care-cost-trends/2012-health-care-cost-trends/health-care-cost-trends-preliminary-reports/premiums-and-expenditures.html 2012-05-04 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2012-05-04 00:00:00.0

Multiple studies have shown that health insurance premium costs in Massachusetts and the Northeast region are among the highest in the nation, placing a substantial burden on consumers and employers seeking good value for their spending on medical services. In 2010, Massachusetts had the ninth highest premium level for family coverage among all 50 states and the District of Columbia In 2011, the Northeast region had the highest premiums of any region across all plan types. Understanding the factors that influence premiums in Massachusetts and how those premiums are changing over time will help policymakers address rising costs with effective solutions.

 April 12th SQAC Meeting Materials Health and Human Services eohhs http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/commissions-and-initiatives/statewide-quality-advisory-committee/meeting-schedule-and-materials.html#meeting_4 2012-04-09 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2012-04-09 00:00:00.0 Blog: Improving health care quality, value Health and Human Services eohhs http://hhs.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2012/02/state-undertakes-a-new-initiative-to-improve-the-quality-of-health-care.html 2012-02-27 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2012-02-27 00:00:00.0 Feb 21st SQAC Meeting Materials Health and Human Services eohhs http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/commissions-and-initiatives/statewide-quality-advisory-committee/meeting-schedule-and-materials.html#meeting_2 2012-02-17 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2012-02-17 00:00:00.0 Hospital Financial Performance Report: FY11Q2 Health and Human Services dhcfp http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/dhcfp-publications.html#hosp_fin 2012-02-02 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2012-02-02 00:00:00.0 Statewide Quality Advisory Committee (SQAC) Webinar Health and Human Services eohhs /eohhs/gov/laws-regs/hcf/email/statewide-quality-advisory-comm-webinar.html 2012-02-01 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2012-02-01 00:00:00.0 Patrick-Murray Administration Announces Appointments to State’s Health Care Quality Advisory Committee Health and Human Services eohhs /eohhs/gov/newsroom/press-releases/eohhs/appointments-to-health-care-quality-advisory-comm-.html 2012-01-09 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2012-01-09 00:00:00.0 Notice of Public Hearing: Dec. 9, 2011 Health and Human Services eohhs /eohhs/gov/newsroom/notice-of-public-hearing-dec-9-2011.html 2011-12-03 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-12-03 00:00:00.0 Notice of Public Hearing: Dec. 2, 2011 Health and Human Services eohhs /eohhs/gov/newsroom/notice-of-public-hearing-dec-2-2011.html 2011-12-02 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-12-02 00:00:00.0 Special Commission On Provider Price Reform Final Report Health and Human Services eohhs /eohhs/gov/commissions-and-initiatives/provider-price-reform/special-commission-final-report.html 2011-11-09 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-11-09 00:00:00.0

This Special Commission is a statutory requirement created in Section 67 of Chapter 288 of the Acts of 2010 – the Small Business Health Care Cost Containment legislation enacted in 2010.  The Commission is charged to investigate the rising cost of health care insurance and the impact of reimbursement rates paid by health insurers to providers. In addition, it requires the commission to examine policies aimed at enhancing competition, fairness and cost-effectiveness in the health care market though the reduction of reimbursement disparities...

 Hospice Services Rate Update Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/regulations.html 2011-09-15 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-09-15 00:00:00.0 Fair Share Contribution: Filing Year 2010 Results and Analyses Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/dhcfp-publications.html 2011-09-13 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-09-13 00:00:00.0 This report provides an overview of the results from employer Fair Share Contribution filings, which are used to determine whether employers with 11 or more full-time equivalent employees made a "fair and reasonable" contribution toward the health costs of their workers. Health Care in Massachusetts: Key Indicators (May 2011 Edition) Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/dhcfp-publications.html 2011-09-09 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-09-09 00:00:00.0 Key Indicators provides an overview of the Massachusetts health care landscape based on data reported by providers, health plans, government, and surveys of Massachusetts residents and employers. Aron Boros appointed new commissioner for DHCFP Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/new-commissioner-for-dhcfp.html 2011-08-22 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-08-22 00:00:00.0 The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced the appointment of Áron Boros as Commissioner of the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy. DHCFP Releases Student Health Program Annual Report: Academic Year 2009-2010 Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/dhcfp-publications.html 2011-08-03 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-08-03 00:00:00.0 Employer Free Rider Surcharge: Policy, Objectives, and Results Health and Human Services eohhs /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/dhcfp-publications.html 2011-07-26 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-07-26 00:00:00.0 This report reviews the key objectives of the Free Rider Surcharge in the context of Massachusetts health reform and provides results for fiscal years 2008 and 2009. FY11 Q1 Hospital Fact Sheets Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/hcf-data-resources/financial-performance.html 2011-07-18 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-07-18 00:00:00.0 DHCFP Releases Massachusetts Employer Survey 2010 Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/dhcfp-publications.html 2011-07-11 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-07-11 00:00:00.0 DHCFP Releases HSN11 Quarter 1 Report Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/dhcfp-publications.html 2011-07-08 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-07-08 00:00:00.0 Health Care in Massachusetts: Key Indicators (February 2011 Edition) Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/dhcfp-publications.html 2011-07-07 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-07-07 00:00:00.0 Key Indicators provides an overview of the Massachusetts health care landscape based on data reported by providers, health plans, government, and surveys of Massachusetts residents and employers. Massachusetts Acute Hospital Financial Performance Fiscal Year 2010 Report Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/dhcfp-publications.html 2011-07-06 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-07-06 00:00:00.0 This report provides industry analyses and comparisons of financial performance trends across different hospital cohorts over nine periods (fiscal year 2002 through fiscal year 2010). Health care cost trend hearings held Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/health-care-cost-trend-hearings-held.html 2011-06-27 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-06-27 00:00:00.0 The Patrick-Murray Administration’s Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP) today began a series of hearings to explore progress on the Administration's health care cost containment efforts and discuss cost trends in the health care market. DHCFP recently released three reports highlighting the urgent need for action in the face of rising health care costs, and these reports, as well as data released by the Division of Insurance and the Office of the Attorney General, will inform testimony during the four days of hearings from June 27 through June 30. TME Baseline Report Health and Human Services eohhs /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/massachusetts-total-medical-expenses-2009.html 2011-06-24 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-06-24 00:00:00.0 DHCFP Releases Health Care Cost Trends Hearings Agenda Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/health-care-cost-trends/2011-health-care-cost-trends/health-care-cost-trends-public-hearings.html 2011-06-16 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-06-16 00:00:00.0 Trends in Health Expenditures Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/trends-in-health-expenditures.html 2011-06-13 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-06-13 00:00:00.0 This report documents the major trends in health care spending for care covered by fully insured and self-insured comprehensive private health plans in Massachusetts from 2007 to 2009, as well as trends in Medicare and MassHealth spending from 2007 to 2008. Sec. Bigby's blog: Health care premiums increase while benefits decline Health and Human Services eohhs http://hhs.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2011/05/two-reports-from-the-division-of-health-care-finance-and-policy-health-care-premiums-increase-while-.html 2011-05-27 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-05-27 00:00:00.0 Yesterday the state Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP) released its annual health care premium trend and price variation reports, in advance of health care cost trend hearings the Division will hold one month from now. Health care studies that show urgent need for cost containment released Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/health-care-cost-trend-studies-released.html 2011-05-26 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-05-26 00:00:00.0 The Patrick-Murray Administration’s Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP) today released two reports that highlight the urgent need for action in the face of troubling health care cost trends in Massachusetts. Premium Levels and Trends in Private Health Plans: 2007-2009 Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/premium-levels-and-trends-in-private-health.html 2011-05-26 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-05-26 00:00:00.0 The report discusses enrollee demographics in the Massachusetts commercial markets, trends in premiums paid by employers and consumers for health insurance, the medical expenses and retention charges included in those premiums, and the impact of premium trends on the health insurance purchasing decisions of employers and individuals Price Variation in Massachusetts Health Care Services Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/price-variation-in-massachusetts-health-care.html 2011-05-26 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-05-26 00:00:00.0 The report examines the prices paid by private health plans for commercially insured members in three service categories: inpatient hospital care, outpatient hospital care, and physician and other professional services. In each category, a sample of high-volume health care services was selected to maximize comparability across providers. Blog: First APCD forum a success Health and Human Services dhcfp http://hhs.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2011/05/first-all-payer-claims-database-apcd-forum-a-success.html 2011-05-10 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-05-10 00:00:00.0 Blog: Analyzing the cost of care Health and Human Services eohhs http://hhs.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2011/04/analyzingthe-cost-of-care-state-agency-moves-forward-with-health-care-cost-containment-by-dhcfp-acting-commissioner-seena-c.html 2011-05-10 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-05-10 00:00:00.0 Blog: Cost Containment Dialogue Continues Health and Human Services dhcfp http://hhs.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2011/04/dialogue-about-health-care-cost-containment-continues-with-public-hearings-in-june.html 2011-05-02 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-05-02 00:00:00.0 2011 Health Care Cost Trends Public Hearing Notice Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/2011-health-care-cost-trends-public-hearing-notice.html 2011-04-27 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-04-27 00:00:00.0 Pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L. c.118G § 6 1/2, DHCFP is required to hold annual public hearings concerning health care provider and private and public health care payer costs and cost trends, with particular attention to factors that contribute to cost growth within the Commonwealth's health care system and to the relationship between provider costs and payer premium rates. Sign up for DHCFP Regulatory Information Notices Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/gov/laws-regs/hcf/sign-up-for-regulatory-email-notifications.html 2011-04-26 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-04-26 00:00:00.0 Blog: APCD Community Engagement - Public Forums Health and Human Services eohhs http://hhs.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2011/04/apcd-community-engagement.html 2011-04-20 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-04-20 00:00:00.0 Blog: Moving Forward with Relative Prices Health and Human Services eohhs http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/2011/04/moving-forward-with-relative-prices-.html 2011-04-06 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-04-06 00:00:00.0 Press Release: Health Care Reform Discussion Health and Human Services eohhs /governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2011/governor-patrick-leads-health-reform-forum.html 2011-04-05 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-04-05 00:00:00.0 Building on the Patrick-Murray Administration's efforts to control rising health care costs, Governor Deval Patrick and members of his Administration today led a forum to discuss the cost challenges facing Massachusetts and the initiatives already underway to help address these issues. Relative Prices Workshop, Thursday, April 7th Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/hcf-data-resources/total-medical-expenses-relative-price/technical-assistance-and-contact-information.html 2011-04-01 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-04-01 00:00:00.0 APCD Events Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/apcd-events.html 2011-03-28 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-03-28 00:00:00.0 DHCFP hosts meetings to provide updates related to the APCD as well as receive input from interested parties. Blog: Mass. Hospital Financial Performance Health and Human Services dhcfp http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/2011/03/an-update-on-the-financial-performance-of-massachusetts-hospitals.html 2011-03-25 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-03-25 00:00:00.0 Acute Hospital Financial Performance Fiscal Year 2010, Quarter Three Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/researcher/physical-health/health-care-delivery/dhcfp-publications.html 2011-03-24 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-03-24 00:00:00.0 This report provides a statewide analysis of acute hospital financial data over nine periods (fiscal year 2002 through quarter three of fiscal year 2010) and comparisons of financial performance trends across different hospital cohorts. Health care cost-containment forum scheduled Health and Human Services eohhs /governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2011/administration-to-hold-health-care.html 2011-03-22 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-03-22 00:00:00.0 Governor Deval Patrick today announced his Administration will hold a forum to discuss health care cost containment efforts underway in the Commonwealth and gather feedback from stakeholders on current industry practices. Blog: APCD Engagement and Transparency Health and Human Services eohhs http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/2011/03/apcd-an-example-in-engagement-and-transparency.html 2011-03-18 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-03-18 00:00:00.0 Blog: Update on Recent Activities Health and Human Services dhcfp http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/2011/03/update-on-recent-activities.html 2011-03-15 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-03-15 00:00:00.0 Notice Regarding Proposed Amendments to Adult Foster Care, Day Habilitation, and Adult Day Health Health and Human Services dhcfp /eohhs/gov/departments/hcf/notice-regarding-proposed-amendments-to-adult.html 2011-03-14 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-03-14 00:00:00.0 Blog: Engaging You in 2011 Health and Human Services eohhs http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/2011/03/its-full-steam-ahead-at-the-division-of-health-care-finance-and-policy-dhcfp-last-weeks-successful-launch-of-the.html 2011-03-10 00:00:00.0T00:00:00Z 2011-03-10 00:00:00.0