WellPoint Raises Stakes With New Hospital Reimbursement Policy
The Wall Street Journal: WellPoint Shakes Up Hospital PaymentsWellPoint Inc. is raising the stakes for reimbursing about 1,500 hospitals across the country, cutting off annual payment increases if they fail to deliver on the big health insurer's definition of quality patient care. WellPoint is replacing the system it uses to help offset rising medical and other costs at hospitals in 14 states that serve its Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, which cover 34 million people. In recent years, it has raised its payments to those hospitals by an average 8 percent a year (Adamy, 5/16). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.