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HHS seeks comment on efforts to improve organ transplant equity, dialysis care
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is soliciting public feedback on potential changes to rulemaking it’s considering to improve both the organ transplantation system and dialysis ca…
FDA investigating possible impacts of Omicron variant, urges vaccination and boosters
As with previous variants of the COVID-19 virus, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has signaled its intent to actively work with federal partners, international regulators and medical product companies to quickly address any potential impacts of th…
Hospital margins shrinking as labor expenses grow, finds Kaufman Hall
Hospital margins became even thinner in October due primarily to rising labor expenses, which largely offset reductions in high-acuity COVID-19 cases caused by the Delta variant, according to Kaufman Hall’s new November flash report.
HCA is building three Florida hospitals as part of a $3 billion investment
HCA Healthcare has announced plans to build three new acute care hospitals in Florida to help meet the state’s growing need for healthcare services.
The new hospitals include a 90-bed acute care facility in Gainesville, a 60-bed hospital near The Villa…
TeamHealth wins lawsuit against UnitedHealth
Tennessee-based TeamHealth Holdings has won a lawsuit against UnitedHealthcare, which alleged the insurer’s shared savings plan encouraged the underpayment or termination of physician contracts. The suit claimed UHC underpaid on 11,000 claims for a tot…
COVID-19 vaccine protection wanes with time, strengthening case for boosters
Protection against COVID-19 infection following inoculation from the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine begins to gradually wane over time, particularly 90 days after receiving the second dose, strengthening the case for booster shots, according to new findings p…
Value-based contracts led to better care quality, says Humana
Looking at new data published on its Medicare Advantage members, major insurer Humana found that those MA patients receiving value-based care had better outcomes overall, along with lower costs and more preventative care.
Humana announces value-based agreement with Minnesota-based Allina Health
Insurer Humana and nonprofit healthcare system Allina Health are expanding their existing agreement to focus on value-based care for Humana’s Medicare Advantage members in Minnesota, the organizations said this week.
The multiyear agreement, which take…
American Society of Anesthesiologists accuses BCBS NC of abusing No Surprises Act
The American Society of Anesthesiologists has accused BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina of abusing new federal law designed to protect patients from out-of-network bills.
HHS announces a record number of healthcare workforce awards in rural and underserved communities
The Biden Administration, through the Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded a historically high number of health workforce loan repayment and scholarship programs due to a new $1.5 billion investment, including $1 billion in supplemental…
