Higher Thinking
Quick, timely blog posts. Thought-provoking trends. How-to guides and in-depth case studies. Use this page to explore all of our best thinking on US healthcare delivery, plus the occasional news from our firm. Find something that inspires or troubles you? Contact us any time – we’d love to be your thought partner in delivering more accessible, sustainable, and equitable healthcare. >>
Blog Posts
Medicare (Dis)Advantage: Hospital Observation Downgrades
Research shows that observation status is much more common under Medicare Advantage – bad news for patients and hospitals alike.
Blog Posts
Medicare (Dis)Advantage: DRG Downgrades
MA plans are using millions of DRG downgrades as a "backdoor" tool for cutting hospital payments. Here are 3 ways to fight back.
Blog Posts
Medicare (Dis)Advantage: 35 Million Prior Authorizations
Prior authorizations have become the norm in Medicare Advantage, causing treatment delays for patients and financial headaches for providers.
Blog Posts
Medicare (Dis)Advantage: Hospitals Count the Cost
Medicare Advantage now covers more than half of U.S. seniors, putting huge new strains on healthcare delivery.
Blog Posts
Total Cost of Care: Lessons from the Maryland Model
A Maryland expert shares her experience with total cost of care as CMS pushes other states to consider the approach.
Blog Posts
Can an Insurance Company Transform Healthcare?
An upstart insurance company hopes to transform healthcare with a carrot-and-stick approach to primary care. Here's why it matters.
Blog Posts
Rural Emergency Hospital Questions: Just the FAQs
We have answers to the 9 biggest questions we've been hearing about Medicare's new Rural Emergency Hospital model.
Guides
The Ascendient Guide to Rural Emergency Hospitals
Is the new REH model right for you? Here's an in-depth look at some implications for finances, strategy, and mission.
Blog Posts
Will Congress Finally Invest in End-of-Life Care?
Biden's spending bill includes strategic funding for end-of-life care, including hospice & palliative medicine. Here's why it matters.
Blog Posts
What Hospitals Need to Know About Medicare Advantage Growth
With CMS targeting 100% accountable care for Medicare enrollees, Medicare Advantage is poised for even faster growth.
Blog Posts
Why the Deafening Silence Around Medicare Insolvency?
Healthcare providers face a 6% reimbursement cut in the event of Medicare insolvency – a scenario that looks increasingly likely.
Blog Posts
Hospital at Home: A Valuable Tool for Transformation
A PHE waiver gave a huge boost to the Hospital at Home model, which shows great promise for advancing the "healthcare trifecta."
Blog Posts
Mobile Integrated Healthcare: A Valuable Tool for Healthcare Transformation
Bolstered by CMS payment incentives, mobile integrated healthcare is reducing ED visits and improving population health.
Blog Posts
The Maryland Model (Part 3): Lessons Learned from Maryland’s Payment Models
Maryland's experiment with healthcare transformation has been encouraging but not perfect. Here are some of the biggest lessons learned.
Blog Posts
The Maryland Model (Part 2): Understanding How Maryland’s Payment Models Work
In the second of our three-part series, we examine how Maryland’s unique payment models work – and what other states can learn.
Blog Posts
The Maryland Model (Part 1): Understanding Maryland’s Medicare Waiver
Maryland's Medicare waiver is getting national attention as CMS rolls out its new AHEAD model. Here are the essentials you need to know.