Tip sheets

Journalists and experts have written about covering health reform and presented discussions on the topic at AHCJ conferences and workshops. This is a collection of the most useful and relevant tips. Click the title of the tip sheet that interests you and you will be asked to login because these are available exclusively to AHCJ members.

Featured tip sheet

How to assess health care innovation centers popping up in your region

October 2017
It seems like every week there's a new press release about a new health innovation center opening up shop.

Since passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, which emphasized the transition from patient volume to value, innovation centers have been popping up all over the country. Becker's Hospital Review has identified at least 50 hospitals with innovation programs.

Look for additional tip sheets based on subject:

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

How to assess health care innovation centers popping up in your region

October 2017
It seems like every week there's a new press release about a new health innovation center opening up shop.

Since passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, which emphasized the transition from patient volume to value, innovation centers have been popping up all over the country. Becker's Hospital Review has identified at least 50 hospitals with innovation programs.

How to gauge ‘success’ at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation

August 2015
One agency created by the Affordable Care Act is the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). As the name implies, its task is to innovate: trying new ways of delivering health care and testing new incentives and payment models. Some ideas are likely, even expected, to fail. Others may lead to new ways of delivering higher quality care for less money.

CMMI also is supposed to help spread new ideas so they’ll take root in the real world. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Serviceshas the authority to expand approaches that reduce spending – and halt those that do not. This is a more flexible approach than officials had with “demonstration projects” prior to the ACA.

Cloud computing

Covering how health care organizations are using 'cloud computing'

September 2016
In an age when health care organizations are managing massive amounts of (often sensitive) data, cloud computing can help with storage, analytics and security of that data. Cloud computing is the advanced use of information and communications technology to remotely deliver a range of services including programs, storage, processing and tools. 

Rebecca Vesely provides some background on cloud computing in health care, including what it is, how health care organizations use it, security concerns and what questions reporters should ask about how it's being used.

Cybersecurity

Tips for covering the hidden trade in patient data

February 2017
The big health data bazaar: Author and journalist Adam Tanner has tips for covering the hidden trade in patient data. Tanner has written two books on the subject, finding that the business of patient data is an opaque trade that is hard to unravel.

He says that the big health data bazaar is complicated but fascinating, and one worthy of further reporting as society grapples with the balance between allowing patients to control their own data, and allowing outsiders to study it to advance commerce and science.

This tip sheet provides an overview of what kind of data is out there, how it is used, who the big players are in the business, why we should care and questions that journalists should explore.

What to know before diving into a health care cybersecurity story

August 2016
Breaking news on cyberattacks at hospitals and health plans is increasingly common. Here are some tips on reporting on health care data security breaches, what questions to ask and helpful resources.

Medicare

Latest innovations in Medicare

Don’t look only to Washington policymakers for strategies to control medical costs and improve care for our aging population. New pilot projects that could accomplish these goals, which are at the heart of health reform, are being tested in communities across the country. In this tip sheet, reporter Susan Jaffe provides an overview of projects sponsored by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, directs journalists to helpful resources, and supplies an extensive list of potential story ideas.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine: What reporters need to know

April 2016
Telemedicine is the use of telecommunications for clinical care. The American Telemedicine Association defines it as two-way video, email, smartphones, wireless tools and other forms of telecommunications that provide primary care, specialty care, remote monitoring, consumer and medical information and medical education. 

In writing and reporting on telemedicine, exact definitions matter because patients, organizations and policymakers see it differently. It can be very broad and open-ended or very precise. The explanation of exact uses can be finagled to manipulate payment and legality. 

Wearables

Exploring the exploding world of wearable health technology and devices

The terms “wearables,” “wearable technology“ and “wearable devices“ refer to electronic technologies that are worn on the body or clothing to perform computing tasks. Generally, wearables are able to store and transmit data, and information can be accessed in real-time.

The most commonly used wearables today are fitness trackers worn on the wrist made by FitBit, Jawbone and other competitors. But there are others: smart fabrics, smart backpacks, jewelry, headgear, belts and even diapers are in development. 

Rebecca Vesely, AHCJ's health IT core topic leader, breaks down exactly what they are, their economic impact, consumers' concerns and story ideas for reporters to pursue.