The CMS released updated guidance requiring healthcare facilities receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding in 24 states to ensure eligible workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by March 15. The guidance, issued a day after the CMS rule was upheld by the Supreme Court, does not apply to Texas where a preliminary injunction is still in effect, and CMS said the high court ruling won't affect the Feb. 28 vaccination compliance date in 25 states, Washington D.C., and US territories that did not challenge the rule.

Research published in JAMA Health Forum indicates that more low-value healthcare services may be seen in health systems that are investor-owned and have fewer primary care physicians. Higher-value care was seen in more integrated healthcare delivery systems.

A report from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission found Medicare Advantage enrollment continues to see rapid growth, and the commission expects the number of beneficiaries in Medicare Parts A and B enrolling in MA plans to jump from 46% to more than 50% in 2023. Data showed 98% of Medicare beneficiaries can select a plan with a Part D benefit, and 99% have access to at least one MA plan.

Aetna has signed a multiyear deal with mobile at-home health services provider DocGo. The deal will allow Aetna's 2.5 million commercial and Medicare Advantage members in New Jersey and New York to access DocGo's at-home care services including emergency care and episodic care.

Healthcare systems should establish a modern digital infrastructure, offer smarter virtual options to link patients with care teams and ensure patient data is secure, private and easy to access, writes CDW Vice President of Small Business Sales Mike Grisamore. These components of a durable digital health program are inextricably linked and will bolster health systems as value-based care becomes the industry standard, Grisamore writes.

A Health Affairs report found that US healthcare spending jumped 9.7% to $4.1 trillion in 2020, largely due to a 36% jump in federal healthcare spending for COVID-19 response. Hospital spending was responsible for 31% of total spending at $1.3 trillion, while private health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid spending accounted for 28%, 20% and 16% of national healthcare spending, respectively.