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Mayo Clinic halts scheduling of out-of-network Medicare Advantage patients
The Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is no longer scheduling appointments for patients in most Medicare Advantage plans, and has been gradually notifying patients throughout the year, in a move that could have consequences for insurers operating plans in the a…
California lawmakers introduce bill to mandate vaccinations in workplaces
A group of California lawmakers, led by District 15 Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, have introduced a bill proposing that all businesses in the state mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees.
Kaiser Permanente’s net income increases in 2021, but operating margins fall sharply
Kaiser Permanente experienced mixed financial results in 2021, with an increase in net income for the year but steep declines in operating income and operating margin, the company recently revealed.
AHA urges Congress to increase financial support
At an American Hospital Association virtual policy briefing last week, hospital and health system leaders told congressional staff about the continued challenges their organizations are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and why additional sup…
Sentara invests $125 million in pay increases, benefits for employees
Sentara Healthcare, the largest integrated health system in Virginia and one of its largest employers, announced recently it will offer employees $110 million in pay increases and $15 million in benefit enhancements in 2022.
Prescription drug prices have risen 2.5% since the start of the pandemic
While prescription medication prices are no longer the fastest-growing commodity or service, prescription drug costs have still increased 2.5% since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from GoodRx.
AHIP lauds CMS decision on Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm
Insurer advocacy group AHIP has praised the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for its decision to have Medicare cover an Alzheimer’s drug only for beneficiaries in clinical trials, agreeing with the federal agency that more evidence is needed …
OSHA asks healthcare employers to reduce worker injuries
During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. healthcare workers experienced a whopping 249% increase in injury and illness rates in 2020 while serving patients. In fact, workers in the healthcare and social assistance industries combined suffered more injuries a…
Survey finds just 14% of hospitals are compliant with price transparency
In a federal price transparency rule that took effect January 1, 2021, hospitals were tasked with posting all of their prices online in clear, easily accessible formats. But a new survey from patientrightsadvocate.org has found that, to date, just 14.3…
FDA recalls illegally imported COVID-19 test
South Korean diagnostics company SD Biosensor has recalled its COVID-19 at-home tests after news broke that the kits were being imported into the U.S. illegally, according to an announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
