The care management code updates in the 2025 Final Physician Fee Schedule from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) could have far-reaching implications for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Organizations serving underserved areas are expected to benefit from the changes, which introduce enhanced reimbursement structures that will enable them to elevate patient services and accelerate their transition to value-based care models. Among the
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Health Equity
The Imperative of Health Equity: Why Data and Intention Matter
As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants who are both social workers, I observed how dedicated they were to their careers of service. Following in their footsteps, I am privileged to serve patients and families as a physician, and I have also become all too familiar with the undeniable truth about the impact of health inequities on specific populations.
The health care industry has made strides in addressing health inequities – but there is plenty of work to be done.
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Medicaid & Health Equity: Addressing Disparities in Maternal and Mental Health
Recent advancements in healthcare, such as telemedicine, automation, and clinical studies, have propelled the industry forward, unleashing new possibilities for fostering better patient outcomes. While many are lucky enough to reap the rewards of new research and technology, critical communities are being left behind.
The Medicaid population, who typically benefits from progress last, still grapples with harmful biases within the healthcare system that pose extreme barriers to care. A new
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3 Ways Healthcare Can Help Solve the Biggest Health Equity Challenges for Youth Impacted by the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems
All children deserve access to quality healthcare, including those involved with the foster care and juvenile justice systems. Health equity for system-involved youth, individuals who have been impacted by the child welfare or juvenile justice systems, is critical for children to lead fulfilling lives. System-involved youth face incredible challenges that make them a uniquely vulnerable population.
Often, their health needs are complex, influenced by significant trauma, and exacerbated
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN Launches Statewide Food as Medicine Initiative to Combat Food Insecurity
What You Should Know:
- FarmboxRx, a pioneer in food-as-medicine solutions, announced a new partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST) to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes for Tennesseans.
- Through this collaboration, BCBST members will receive fresh produce and condition-specific health education delivered directly to their homes.
Tackling Food Insecurity and Health Disparities
Tennessee faces significant challenges related to food
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CMS Finalizes Medicare Payment Rule for Hospitals, Focuses on Equity, Safety, and Innovation
What You Should Know:
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the final rule for Medicare payments and policies for inpatient hospitals and long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) for fiscal year (FY) 2025.
- The FY 2025 IPPS and LTCH PPS rule focuses on improving health outcomes, addressing social determinants of health, strengthening emergency preparedness, and promoting value-based care.
Increased Payments and Addressing Social Determinants of
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Responsible AI in Medicine for Underserved Populations
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making a tangible difference in healthcare today. It's not about science fiction or flashy gimmicks. It’s not about deep fakes or plagiarized term papers. AI is being responsibly used to prevent medical errors, enhance clinical decision-making, expand access to care, and lower costs. While there's certainly overenthusiasm and misleading claims about AI, we can't ignore the many instances where it's making healthcare more efficient, effective, and
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Clinical Trials Must Be More Equitable, Here’s How
The Need to Address Accessibility Gaps
Clinical trials are a driving force of medical innovation. However, they are predominantly conducted in large urban hospitals that have larger staff and more resources, which puts trial participation out of reach for the majority of Americans who live outside of major city centers. Despite having as much interest as city-dwellers, these individuals often find participation in clinical trials nearly impossible due to daunting travel, logistical and
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Bridging the Gap: Health Equity, Cancer Screening, and the Role of FQHCs
The Persistent Challenge of Healthcare Access and Cancer Screening Disparities
In the United States, the healthcare landscape remains plagued by significant disparities, particularly for underserved populations. People of color, low-income families, rural residents, and immigrant communities often face a daunting array of barriers that prevent them from accessing quality preventive and diagnostic services.
These barriers include limited access to healthcare facilities, financial
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Ensuring Food Safety in Healthcare
Food safety is of paramount importance for all industries. Ensuring the preparation, handling, and storage of food meets certain health and safety standards is critical for businesses involved in the production of food, its distribution and service, not only to uphold their reputation but also to safeguard the public from the spread of foodborne diseases.
The healthcare industry must also adhere to strict standards in the area of food safety. This is particularly important to protect
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