Kelly Emrick MBA, PhD

  Nothing in life is a guarantee other than death and taxes. But it is almost certain that there will be another global pandemic. It is only a matter of time. Right now, a virus lurks in the shadows, ready to take advantage of any weaknesses in human biology, and it is ever-present. These silent invaders, microscopic yet monumental, have shaped our societies in ways we are only beginning to understand fully. “The Silent Enemy: Preparing for and Stopping the World’s Next Pandemic” is not just a title; it’s a mission statement, a roadmap charting the course through uncharted waters of viral threats and global health challenges. Globalization has contributed immensely to advancing human knowledge and civilization, but with this globalization come unintended consequences, such as the spread of viruses, which can happen in a matter of days. Imagine a world where bustling city streets turn eerily quiet and playgrounds and parks, once teeming with laughter, stand deserted. This isn’t a scene

    In “Globesity: Your Guide to Health and Wellness,” I explore a crucial global health crisis: obesity. This sets the stage for a deep, multifaceted analysis of obesity, not just as a personal health issue but as a complex phenomenon interwoven with societal, economic, and environmental factors. As a healthcare professional with decades of practical experience in health sciences, health management, and leadership, I attempt to put the pieces of the puzzle together so that the readers of this book can make personal decisions about their health journey. Over the past twenty years, I have observed a significant increase in metabolic diseases for the worse. This book builds on my professional knowledge, personal experiences, and social observations. In addition, as a certified health and wellness coach, I seek to incorporate psychological factors that parallel metabolic disorders. This book investigates the sensitive and often stigmatized topic of obesity, addressing its taboo nature

Equitable Access to Imaging : Ensuring equitable access to imaging is crucial for reducing disparities in health outcomes. This involves making radiological services available to all population segments, irrespective of socio-economic status. Incorporating Social Determinants of Health : Radiology needs to address social determinants of health, which include factors like lifestyle, environment, and community engagement. This broadens the scope of radiological care beyond traditional clinical settings. Integrated Care Delivery : Integrating radiological services with other healthcare services is vital for a cohesive approach to population health. This might involve collaborating with other healthcare providers and systems to ensure comprehensive care. Community Engagement : Actively engaging with communities can help understand their specific health needs and design more relevant and effective radiological services. Foc

Recently, the healthcare sector has been steering towards a value-based care model, aiming to enhance the quality of healthcare services while reducing costs. The focal point of this transition is to shift from a fee-for-service model to a more holistic and outcome-driven approach. This blog delves into the overarching concepts of value-based care and how it intertwines with population health strategy. A Glimpse into Value-Based Care From Fee-For-Service to Value-Oriented Model: The market is starting the evolution of value-based care, delineating the gradual shift from fee-for-service to a value and outcome-oriented model. The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed this transition, highlighting the need for a more robust, flexible, and value-driven healthcare model. Embracing Digital Health: The role of data is transforming healthcare delivery. With new AI and EMR, analytics are quickly moving to remote patient monitoring, virtual care, and at-home care as burgeoning trends abound. These digital

  Why Hospitals Need a Population Health Strategy Kelly Emrick MBA, Ph.D. September 30, 2023 The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) has set a goal of having every Medicare beneficiary and the majority of Medicaid beneficiaries covered by some type of alternative payment model (APM) by 2030. CMMI considers APMs to be any arrangements whereby providers are held accountable for the quality and costs of care, not just paid based on the volume of services they deliver. The agency also pledged to promote health equity by making it easier for providers serving racial and ethnic minorities to participate in APMs. Government and private payers emphasizing accountability and value-based purchasing are rapidly replacing the traditional fee-for-service model. What does this mean? This means that delivering services will no longer guarantee payment. Every provider must track patient outcomes for provider-specific population cohorts, and healthcare providers face new financial risks.

In the vast and intricate tapestry of healthcare, the concept of population health has emerged as a pivotal thread, weaving together diverse disciplines, methodologies, and objectives. At its core, population health seeks to understand and address the health outcomes of a group of individuals, encompassing the distribution of these outcomes within the group. This holistic approach transcends the boundaries of individual patient care, focusing instead on the health of populations as cohesive units. Kelly Emrick.  Defining Population Health Population health, as a discipline, delves into the health outcomes of specific populations, analyzing the determinants that influence these outcomes. These determinants range from social, economic, and environmental factors to individual behaviors, genetics, and healthcare access. By examining the intricate interplay of these factors, population health provides insights into patterns, disparities, and determinants of health within specific commun

The science of learning is not a monolithic entity; it is an intricate amalgamation of diverse disciplines, interwoven with the finesse of a masterful tapestry. It transcends the pedagogical confines of traditional Education, reaching into the vast realms of neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, and even philosophy. In this book, "The Science of Learning," the reader will embark on an odyssey through this complex landscape, exploring the science that underpins how we acquire, process, and retain knowledge. A. Cognitive Neuroscience: Decoding the Brain 1. The Neural Symphony: Our brains, those enigmatic organs ensconced within our skulls, are veritable orchestras of activity. Many neurons fire in synchronous harmony, enabling us to think, comprehend, and remember. Cognitive neuroscience probes these neural machinations, elucidating the intricate pathways that constitute learning. 2. Plasticity and Growth: Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself by

In the contemporary digital milieu, the pervasive digitization of patient data has heralded unparalleled convenience and efficiency within the healthcare domain. However, this epochal technological stride has also exposed healthcare organizations to an escalating peril - the specter of cyber attacks. When hospitals' data becomes ensnared in the clutches of breach incidents, the consequences reverberate beyond the ephemeral realm of cyberspace. The integrity of patient care, the confidentiality of medical information, and the trust in healthcare systems stand imperiled, necessitating urgent and all-encompassing action at the federal level to grapple with this pressing quandary. This blog endeavors to delve into the perils of data breaches on patient care and endeavors to proffer salient measures that ought to be undertaken at the federal echelon to fortify the sanctity of sensitive health information. The Impact on Patient Care: 1. Compromised Patient Confidentiality: Data breaches,

Are you looking for a fresh perspective on leadership in the healthcare sector? Fed up with conventional leadership models that no longer serve your organization? Let’s break the mold. Here are five unconventional leadership styles that are shaking things up in the healthcare industry and might be just what your team needs to thrive. **Style 1: Empathetic Leadership** Not just a buzzword, empathetic leadership is transforming how we approach healthcare management. Leaders who practice empathy can better understand their team members and patients, leading to improved communication and cooperation. From my personal journey, I can attest to the power of empathetic leadership. But it's not always easy. Empathy requires emotional intelligence and the ability to balance compassion with critical decision-making.  **Style 2: Servant Leadership** What if, as a leader, your primary role was to serve others? Sounds radical, doesn’t it? Servant leadership turns the conventional power hierarchy

In the perpetually fluctuating and constantly progressing milieu of modern society, the quest for adept leadership has arisen as an essential cornerstone for the triumph and prosperity of any organization or community. In order to persist at the forefront of advancement and successfully navigate intricate obstacles, the acquisition of expertise in leadership is not simply a choice; it is an inherent necessity. At the core of attaining mastery in leadership resides self-awareness, a notion that profoundly resonates with leaders who aspire to flourish and ignite others. Having a profound awareness of one's aptitudes, limitations, and emotional quotient establishes the foundation for genuine and compassionate leadership. By recognizing and harnessing these aspects, leaders can cultivate unyielding confidence in their teams, fostering an atmosphere where collaboration and innovation can thrive. Moreover, a proficient leader is characterized by their astute cognitive framework, which en

Unraveling the Enigmatic Dilemma: The Intricate Nexus of Weight Challenges and Community Health Enhancement The challenging surge in the ubiquity of weight-related concerns on a global scale has undeniably materialized as a formidable quandary in public health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it has been observed that the prevalence of weight-related issues in the United States during the period spanning from 2017 to March 2020 reached a staggering 41.9%. Simultaneously, there was an observed escalation in the prevalence of severe weight issues, increasing from 4.7% to 9.2%. The observed pattern, one must acknowledge, transcends the realm of personal well-being and assumes a formidable role in the broader context of communal welfare, thereby demanding expeditious and decisive measures to be taken. By implementing strategies to address weight-related issues, it is plausible to envision a notable advancement in enhancing the collective well-being within

 According to an article released by Fierce Healthcare, Optum Health is growing a new value-based healthcare arm.: July 19, 2023: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/unitedhealth-taps-company-veteran-lead-growing-optum-health-arm A primary focus at Optum Health has been the push toward value-based care, and UHG said that in the second quarter, it added nearly 900,000 patients treated under these arrangements. What are Value-Based Care Models? Good Books Explaining: VBC and Population Health Models: By Kelly Emrick MBA, Ph.D. (Find on Amazon) Value-based care is a healthcare delivery approach in which caregivers are compensated based on the health outcomes of their patients. The idea is to reward the quality of treatment above many other services. This contrasts with fee-for-service arrangements, in which clinicians are compensated depending on the number of tests, treatments, and appointments. The following are the fundamental concepts of value-based care: ·          Fo

CMS Proposes Expanding Coverage for PET Scans Related to Alzheimer’s Disease (July 18, 2023): The agency is looking to lift the longstanding NCD that restricts patients to one amyloid-detecting positron emission tomography exam in their lifetime. Imaging Vendor ViewRay Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy (July 18, 2023): The Denver-based company is letting go more than 100 staffers, including its CEO, interim CFO, and chief legal officer. AMA Working with Radiology Groups to Fix Flawed Approach That’s Driving Medicare Payment Decisions (July 17, 2023): The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule utilizes 2006 cost information to develop practice expense relative values and resulting reimbursements. Momentum Builds as Missouri Becomes the 18th State to Pass Law Bolstering Breast Imaging Coverage (July 17, 2023): It’s also the fifth local legislature to do so in 2023, following in the footsteps of Tennessee, Washington, Maryland, and New Mexico. Radiology Partners Officially Served with UnitedHealth

The baby boomer generation's aging has resulted in substantial growth in the number of Americans eligible for Medicare. Over 60 million Americans were enrolled in Medicare as of 2020, accounting for roughly 20% of the population (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2021). Understanding how cost and access influence this rising demographic is crucial, with 10,000 Americans becoming eligible for Medicare daily (Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation, 2019). This paper will look at the evidence of how Medicare premiums, deductibles, and provider access affect older persons' health and well-being. Medicare Fees The out-of-pocket expenditures connected with Medicare are a significant barrier to treatment for seniors. These include Part B and D payments, deductibles, and coinsurance. According to research, Medicare users spend 41% of their Social Security income on healthcare, with 1 in 4 spending more than half (Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation, 2020). This huge healthcare expense

The following image represents the population of the United States from 1960 to 2050. The image is a population pyramid, which is a graphical representation of the age distribution of a population. The population pyramid is divided into two parts: the male population is shown on the left side, and the female population is shown on the right. The height of each bar represents the number of people in that age group. The image shows that the population of the United States has been aging since 1960. In 1960, the population pyramid was more of a pyramid shape, with a broad base and a narrow top. This indicates that there were a lot of young people in the population. By 2050, the population pyramid will be more of a pillar. The population pyramid is divided into two parts: the male population is shown on the left side, and the female population is shown on the right. The height of each bar represents the number of people in that age group. The image shows that the population of the Unit

Healthcare quality and performance metrics are foundational concepts in the delivery of health services. This book aims to introduce these binding terms, their importance in the healthcare landscape, and how they contribute to the betterment of health outcomes for patients. Health care quality, in its most essential sense, refers to the degree to which health services increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge. It is a multi-dimensional concept encompassing various aspects such as safety, effectiveness, timeliness, efficiency, equity, and patient-centeredness. Safety ensures that the risk of harm to patients during the provision of health care is minimized. It is a fundamental principle of health care quality and requires actively reducing risk in clinical processes. Effectiveness refers to providing care based on evidence and results in improved health outcomes for the patient. Timeliness of care emphasizes the reduction

Book By: Kelly Emrick A new leadership style is starting to emerge; Precision Leadership. Aubrey Daniels International (ADI), a behavioral consulting firm, first coined this leadership style. (ADI) inferred that the  primary objective of precision leadership is to assist leaders in harmonizing their actions with their objectives and propelling business triumph. This is accomplished by instructing leaders on impartially evaluating behaviors crucial to their enterprise, scrutinizing the outcomes that sustain desirable and undesirable conduct, and employing leadership expertise to influence performance directly. After acquiring knowledge of leadership principles, a coaching process is furnished to facilitate the application of said principles by leaders in their respective work milieu. Precision leadership is centered around implementing management strategies prioritizing positive reinforcement instead of punitive measures, with the ultimate goal of inspiring employees to perform at their

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of the Actuary released National Health Expenditure (NHE) projections and health insurance enrollment for 2022-2031. The report contains expected impacts from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), including that people with Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) are projected to experience lower out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs for 2024 and beyond as several provisions from the law begin to take effect (CMS, 2023). CMS projects that over 2022-2031, average annual growth in NHE (5.4%) will outpace average annual growth in gross domestic product (GDP) (4.6%), resulting in an increase in the health spending share of GDP from 18.3% in 2021 to 19.6% in 2031. The insured percentage of the population is projected to have reached a historic high of 92.3% in 2022 (due to high Medicaid enrollment and gains in Marketplace coverage). It is expected to remain at that rate through 2023. Given the expiration of the Medicaid