Use of Clinics, Other Alternative Care Sites, Swells, Survey Finds

Healthcare consumers are looking to alternative care site for their care needs, Healthcare Finance News reports. These sites include telehealth, retail health clinics and urgent care centers. Of those who have visited a retail health clinic, 80 percent found the experience to be the same or better than a traditional office visit while 30 percent noted their experience was better or much better. Variety of ages are utilizing these alternative care sites including retirees.

Report: 13% of Servicemember Debt Collection Complaints Concern Medical Bills

A recent report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that most debt collection complaints coming from servicemembers are regarding inaccuracies. Commonly mentioned are inaccuracies of medical bills. Becker’s Hospital Review reports how majority of these medical debt complaints are from veterans who were under the assumption their healthcare service was covered by their VA health insurance.

Covered California Wants to Grade Hospitals on Cost

California’s state insurance exchange, Covered California, plans to grade hospitals on quality and costs. According to Fierce Health Finance, Covered California will not offer health plans that include providers delivering subpar performance.  If this plan were to be approved by the state’s exchange board of directors, hospitals will be graded starting 2018 while medical groups will be graded the following year.