News
Discern Health Submits COVID-Related Improvement Activity to CMS
July 2020
At the end of June, Discern Health submitted to CMS a proposed new Improvement Activity (IA) for use in its physician Quality Payment Program. The IA addresses the need for physician practices to plan for use of personal protective equipment (PPE), which will better prepare the US health system to respond to infectious disease pandemics…
W2O Acquires Discern Health to Offer Expertise in Value-based Care Solutions for the Healthcare Industry
July 2020
Sixth acquisition in just over a year deepens firm’s value, access and pricing insights, policy, communications, marketing and consulting capabilities San Francisco and Baltimore, July 28, 2020 – W2O, the leading independent provider of analytics-driven, technology-enabled marketing and communications solutions to the healthcare sector, today announced the acquisition of Discern Health. This health economics and…
Donna Dugan Presents on Improving Quality for Rural Communities At Risk for Opioid Abuse
June 2020
The 2020 Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) Annual Meeting attracted health care executives and quality professionals from across PQA’s multi-stakeholder membership. The three-day meeting featured many speakers and educational sessions addressing top issues and emerging trends in medication quality, measure development and implementation, care transformation, and technology. During the virtual meeting, Discern Health Vice President Donna…
HHS Releases National Health Quality Roadmap to Align & Improve Programs
June 2020
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released the National Health Quality Roadmap, a plan to align and improve quality measurement and data collection across its programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Affordable Care Act exchanges, and the military and Veterans Affairs health systems. According to HHS,…
Discern Health Offers Life Sciences Companies Solutions for Improved Quality & Market Differentiation
June 2020
Top-performing health care organizations understand that value-based care is a transformational force in the industry. Life sciences companies such as pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers are adapting their business models by implementing value and quality strategies that meet the demands of changing regulations, evolving science, new care delivery methods, and shifting patient priorities. Discern Health…
Will Montgomery Joins Discern Health as Project Analyst
June 2020
Will Montgomery, MPH, recently joined Discern Health as a Project Analyst. In this role, Will will use his experience with communicable disease prevention methods, pediatric care delivery, vaccine policy and prescription drug monitoring programs, and community health research to support clients through projects related to quality improvement and value-based care strategies. Prior to joining Discern,…
Discern Health Acts to Address Social Justice & Health Equity
June 2020
Events over the past several weeks have, yet again, demonstrated that the US has a significant amount of work to do to ensure equal treatment and rights for all citizens. The senseless deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Rayshard Brooks, and so many others are a tragic reminder of the systemic…
New Report: Best Practices for Increasing Use of Advance Care Planning
May 2020
The Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC) has released a report designed to identify strategies to boost the use of advance care planning (ACP), a practice that is now more important than ever as the world faces the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discern Health conducted the report research, which will help to further develop…
Quality Outlook Blog: Why Indirect Benefits of Cancer Care Matter
May 2020
In the latest installment of Discern Health’s Quality Outlook blog series in the Journal of Clinical Pathways, Partner Tom Valuck and Directors David Blaisdell and Manasi Tirodkar explore how indirect benefits related to the use of cancer care products and services fit into health care value assessments. These indirect benefits include avoidance of costs to patients, caregivers, employers, and society…
Discern Health Offers Vendor Solutions for Improved Quality and Market Differentiation
May 2020
As value-based care transforms the US health care system, health service and product vendors—including care management, health coaching, technology, and telehealth companies—must differentiate themselves in a competitive market. Health care vendors that proactively implement strategies, such as strengthening value propositions, expanding offerings, and developing strategic partnerships, can position themselves as leaders in the value-based environment….