From improving patient communication and self-management skills to boosting preventive services, CMS’s Chronic Care Management Program has proven to be a tremendously successful platform for providers. In many instances, however, the clinical and financial benefits have not been fully realized.

To counter the opioid crisis, holistic solutions that rely on technology, intervention and education, and account for social determinants of health, must be prioritized. Population health management platforms and artificial intelligence can analyze enormous amounts of data and play a vital role in addressing this epidemic.

About 30 years ago the World Wide Web was developed. About 15 years ago researchers cracked the human genome. About 10 years ago the first iPhone was rolled out. Yet, in the year 2018 at the height of the digital age, why is it so difficult to visualize a scenario where every single patient’s PCP is notified once they are admitted to the emergency room?

Predictive analytics are all around us. And as the digital age progresses, using data to forecast outcomes will be used even more across the industrial landscape, including healthcare. But, how do you look at healthcare data to predict future clinical outcomes?

When asked about provider acceptance of population health management initiatives, the leaders charged with implementing these programs are apt to say that most physicians see them as little more than an unnecessarily complex administrative endeavor instead of a tectonic shift in how health care will be delivered over the next several decades.

Implementing a value-based care model and increasing physician awareness of high-risk, high-cost patients is just like beginning a new diet and exercise program – that is, starting is the hardest part.

By acting as an intermediary between patients and providers, care coordinators play a vital role in the delivery of healthcare. And just like diplomats translating the comments of global leaders, care coordinators translating the languages of "doctor speak" and "insurance speak" can have a significant impact – maybe not on global affairs, but certainly on patient health and the cost of care.

Recognizing value-based models as the future direction of health care, Alliance Cancer Specialists began a population health management (PHM) journey in 2016.

In the spirit of the winter Olympic Games, where hard work and dedication can lead to a gold medal, let’s take a closer look at MIPS quality calculations, as these same traits can optimize a provider’s bonus for Performance Year 2018.

As health care providers adjust to payment reform, MIPS reporting deadlines and electronic record keeping, it sometimes feels like the industry is in a race against time. But as we all know, today’s health care information systems weren’t built for speed or agility.

Artificial intelligence within the healthcare IT space is gaining momentum. And while its applications may not align directly with popular consumer solutions like Amazon's Alexa that can play music or order pizza on command, health care-based AI will be capable of doing other really cool things in the not-too-distant future - like saving your life.

Happy New Year! Now it’s time to focus on all those resolutions.

And along the lines of making personal changes in the new year, it’s also time for professional ones – more specifically, focusing on MIPS reporting changes for 2018 as part of CMS’s efforts to reduce complications and unnecessary utilization of resources through more efficient, holistic patient care management.

With the March 31, 2018 MIPS reporting deadline for Performance Year 2017 fast-approaching, some providers might be feeling a similar type of stomach-turning anxiety that affected them years ago – exam stress.

Just as the case may have been in med school before a big test, providers have a small window of time to prepare their reporting. And just like in med school, some find it easier to go at it alone. Most, however, would agree that conferring with a trusted advisor often yielded new insights and streamlined the learning process.

Running a consumer-facing business in today's world can be difficult. In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations, keeping up with technology, and staying compliant with applicable regulations, business owners must have a handle on reputation management.

Lesson 1 in any reputation handbook should note that word of mouth is practically a thing of the past. Today, everything is done online.

With the rise of websites like Angie's List, Yelp and other service-review pages, online consumer reviews (fair or not) can have a significant impact on any business's reputation, and more importantly, their bottom line.

As healthcare providers acclimate to new value-based payment models, they face the two-pronged challenge of achieving better outcomes while reining in costs. Providers face increasing pressure to shore up funds to support new quality payment program initiatives and offset potential revenue losses and are looking toward data analytics solutions to identify savings and clinical improvement opportunities with the biggest potential to improve the revenue cycle.