Tennessee releases proposal to convert federal Medicaid dollars into block grant
by Robert King
fiercehealthcare.com – Tennessee released its proposal to the federal government to become the first state to convert Medicaid funding into a block grant.
The state’s Department of Finance and Administration said in a notice Tuesday it intends to file an amendment to its Medicaid program to get the block grant. The expected request comes as the Trump administration has been talking with other states over similar proposals.
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Judge strikes down Trump administration’s site-neutral payments rule
fiercehealthcare.com – In a huge win for hospitals, a federal judge has tossed the Trump administration’s rule instituting site-neutral payments.
District of Columbia Judge Rosemary Collyer ruled Tuesday that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) overstepped its authority when it finalized a plan to extend a site-neutral payment policy to clinic visits with the goal of paying the same in Medicare for evaluation and management services at physician offices and hospitals.
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How One Couple Keeps Traveling Despite End Stage Kidney Failure
Technology and dialysis centers around the country help make it possible
By Deb Hipp
Nextavenue.org – Most people receive dialysis treatments in a hospital or clinic dialysis unit. However, thanks to advances in home dialysis treatment, along with access to a network of kidney care clinics throughout the U.S., the Hendersons aren’t letting this medical challenge fence them in.
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Cancer Patients Turn to Crowdfunding to Pay for Medical Care
UCSF Study Shows GoFundMe is Financing Medical Travel, Alternative Treatments – and Funerals
Ucsf.edu – With patients increasingly resorting to crowdfunding websites to pay medical bills, a new UC San Francisco study finds that online donations are sought for lost wages, child care and even occasionally experimental treatments.
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Dental tourism — bargain dentistry and a vacation to boot
By Mike Salmon
Washingtonpost.com – The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis says Americans spent $2.6 billion on medical and dental tourism in 2018. That’s up from just $757 million in 2008.
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Harrisonburg tourism revenue up from previous year
Whsv.com – The United States Travel Association released tourism numbers for 2018, which showed an increase in tourism revenue in all areas in the Valley.
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Medical tourism can save employers, patients money
Abcnews.go.com – In a new twist on medical tourism, North American Specialty Hospital, known as NASH and based in Denver, has organized treatment for a couple of dozen American patients at Galenia Hospital since 2017.
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