White Papers

Today, Leavitt Partners released a Medicare policy guide that provides an accessible overview of several major policy concepts that have circulated in Medicare reform conversations in recent years. With debate mounting over the future of Medicare, it is imperative that policymakers first understand these core policy proposals–including site neutral payments, competitive bidding in Medicare Advantage, … Continue reading

Information blocking continues to hinder timely access to electronic health data for patients, providers, payers, and the federal government. While federal regulations prohibit interference with data exchange, in practice information blocking remains largely unchecked. Because of insufficient enforcement of these regulations, data continue to be delayed or withheld from patients, clinicians, payers, and networks–resulting in … Continue reading

With the transition to a new administration, our Kill the Clipboard White Paper presents an opportunity to build on the work that has been done to date and accelerate our need to move to a more interoperable, patient-centered, digital health focused model of care. Now is the time to provide space for new innovations so … Continue reading

The use of digital mental health technology (DMHT) has rapidly increased in recent years. While DMHT has the potential to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder care, as well as address workforce challenges, payers, providers, and consumers lack information on effectiveness, quality, and privacy protections of specific DMHT.   With support from … Continue reading

Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) face unique challenges in equitable access to high-quality health care and experience poorer health outcomes. These challenges are compounded by difficulties that clinicians face in providing care to this population, with barriers impacting clinician-to-patient time, time to prepare for visits, coverage and payment for services, infrastructure and accommodation … Continue reading

Increasingly, attention and resources are being focused on addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) as awareness grows that SDOH, or the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, are a primary driver of health outcomes. However, collection and exchange of SDOH data is lagging, hampering efforts to address SDOH. Leavitt Partners … Continue reading

Employers generally want to provide comprehensive medical and pharmacy benefits to their employees, but many organizations and their employees are struggling to cover healthcare costs. In 2018–2023, the average annual premium for family coverage in the commercial market increased by 22 percent. In 2024, employer healthcare costs are expected to continue increasing. In recent years, … Continue reading

Future Visions of Reform: Policy Options for The Medicare Advantage Quality Bonus Program and Star Ratings In this report, Leavitt Partners has identified a set of eight policy options to reform the Medicare Advantage (MA) Quality Bonus Program (QBP) and the Star Ratings System. These policy options are intended to improve the MA program for … Continue reading

Several organizations convened by Leavitt Partners met to discuss ways to support the CMS Innovation Center’s goals that further elevate the beneficiary perspective. The organizations provided their feedback on opportunities to help ensure that the Innovation Center’s objectives were met and that the agency efforts were accountable to stakeholders and transparent in their execution. These … Continue reading

Today, Leavitt Partners released a new policy framework that proposes a compromise path forward on implementing site-neutral payments. Medicare is an incredibly important program, providing more than 65 million Americans with access to robust health care benefits. As the program has grown, mounting concerns have been raised about its affordability for Medicare beneficiaries and the … Continue reading