---
title: "Best reads of the week, 11-15"
description: "This week's reading on PDPM and therapy reimbursement, the Google and Ascension partnership, and Amazon Care, selected for long-term care and defense readers."
url: "https://excelas1.com/blog/best-reads-of-the-week-11-15"
published: "2019-11-15"
updated: "2026-09-14"
type: "post"
---

# Best reads of the week, 11-15

_2019-11-15 · Filed under [Blog](https://excelas1.com/blog/categories/blog)_

> Topics: PDPM & therapy reimbursement, Google & Ascension partnership, Amazon Care

![Best Reads 10-11 Excelas Medical Legal Solutions](https://excelas1.com/api/media/file/2019-10-roundup.jpg)

Here are our picks for the week. Have a great weekend!

### PDPM AND THERAPY REIMBURSEMENT

Therapy advocates are concerned the proposed 8% cut to Medicare payments for occupational and physical therapy services will threaten patient access to care. ([McKnight’s](https://www.mcknights.com/news/providers-sweating-proposed-8-cut-to-therapy-services-theres-just-no-reason-for-that))

Genesis Healthcare reorganized its therapy gyms in preparation for PDPM implementation and says the staff cuts should save the company $30 million in annual operating costs. ([McKnight’s](https://www.mcknights.com/news/therapy-staff-cuts-pdpm-will-save-genesis-30m-ceo-says))

### GOOGLE, ASCENSION DATA SHARING

The recently disclosed partnership between Google and Ascension, the largest non-profit health system in the U.S., is raising eyebrows. Some Ascension employees have concerns about the ways Google is gathering patient data. ([CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/12/google-project-nightingale-hospital-data-deal-raises-privacy-fears.html))

Eduardo Conrado, executive vice president of strategy and innovations at Ascension, has published his response to this news on the company’s website. ([Ascension](https://www.ascension.org/News/News-Articles/2019/11/12/21/45/Technology-that-improve-patients-lives-caregivers-experience))

### AMAZON CARE

Amazon has put its own spin on telemedicine with the launch of their virtual care app, offering virtual healthcare services to Seattle-based employees. ([Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/6-glimpses-into-the-amazon-care-app-employees-first-stop-for-healthcare.html))

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