Author's posts
White House evaluating provider billing practices, medical bill collection
In a move signaling its intent to relieve medical debt burden, the Biden White House has said it would task the Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate provider billing practices, and how they factor into healthcare affordability and the ac…
UnitedHealth Group investing $100 million in affordable housing initiatives
UnitedHealth Group is investing an additional $100 million toward affordable housing initiatives with a focus on the Health and Housing Fund, a partnership with Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future and National Affordable Housing Trust.
Nonprofit hospitals slowly recuperating from the worst effects of COVID-19
It’s been a long pandemic for the U.S. healthcare system, but just as there are signs that the pandemic may be fading, so too is the situation improving for nonprofit hospitals in particular, which are slowly recuperating from the worst effects of COVI…
Healthcare mergers and acquisitions hit new low in first quarter
Healthcare mergers and acquisitions data shows only 12 transactions recorded during the first quarter of the year, continuing a downward trend: To date, it’s the lowest number of consolidations since Kaufman Hall first started tracking these statistics…
Second booster offers short-term COVID-19 protection, study finds
The U.S. government, as well as pharmaceutical companies that manufacture COVID-19 vaccines, have promoted booster shots as a way to ramp up protection when inoculation from the initial round of vaccines begins to decrease. A new study has found that p…
Prices of two expensive drugs more than double under Medicare
Eliquis and Xarelto, two blood-thinning medications that are already among Medicare’s costliest, have seen their list prices more than double since entering the market, finds a new report by Patients for Affordable Drugs.
Walgreens’ home delivery pharmacy rebrands
AllianceRx Walgreens Prime, a specialty home delivery pharmacy owned by Walgreens, will be rebranding this summer as AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy, reflecting Walgreens’ full ownership of the service, which was announced in January.
AllianceRx Walgreen…
Blue Shield CA, Walgreens expanding access to in-person, virtual care
Blue Shield of California and Walgreens Health are expanding access to in-person and virtual care options through the launch of 12 new Walgreens Health Corner locations in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County.
Intermountain, SCL Health complete merger, creating 33-hospital system
Intermountain Healthcare, headquartered in Salt Lake City, and Colorado-based SCL Health, have finalized their merger after getting official approval from the Colorado attorney general’s office.
The AG’s office issued an opinion allowing the merger to …
AHIP expresses concerns on CMS’ Final Rate Notice for Medicare Advantage, Part D
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services yesterday released 2023 Medicare Advantage capitation rates and Parts C and D payment policies, and it has drawn reaction from insurer group AHIP, which praised the administration for promoting innovation …
