Author's posts
Surprise billing interim final rule gets mixed reaction from industry
The American Hospital Association claims the rule is a windfall for insurers, while BCBSA calls it a “win for patients.”
Biden Administration advances new protections against surprise medical bills
The Biden Administration, through the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, Treasury and the Office of Personnel Management, has issued an interim final rule with a comment period to further implement the No Surprises Act, introducing a disp…
CDC releases health advisory to increase vaccination rates among pregnant people
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a health advisory meant to increase rates of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant people, in light of data showing that only 31% of pregnant people were vaccinated as of September 18.
The low vac…
AMA: Nearly three-quarters of metropolitan areas are concentrated health insurance markets
About 73% of metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S. are concentrated health insurance markets, meaning large health insurers control the market in nearly three-quarters of the country, according to a new analysis from the American Medical Association.
SAMHSA awards $825 million in grants to community mental health centers
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) will invest $825 million in funding to 231 Community Mental Health Centers across the country, the organization announced this week.
Clinicians ethically challenged when it comes to caring for undocumented immigrants
In one of the first studies to explore clinician moral distress related to the ethically challenging issue of providing healthcare to undocumented immigrants, researchers from Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine surveyed phy…
Humana, Kelsey-Seybold team to expand Humana’s Medicare Advantage provider network
Major insurer Humana has partnered with multi-speciality group practice Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, signing an in-network agreement that Humana hopes will allow expanded access to value-based care, through a broadening of its Medicare Advantage provider net…
Biden Administration awards $15 million to 20 states for mobile crisis intervention
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded $15 million in planning grants to 20 states to support expanding community-based mobile crisis intervention services for Medicaid beneficiaries.
The goal is to connect people who are experienci…
OIG: Some MA companies used chart reviews, HRAs to drive $9.2B payments
A new report examining Medicare Advantage plans released by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General found that some MA plans are leveraging chart reviews and health risk assessments to drive up to $9.2 billion in pa…
Rural hospitals see improvements in mortality rates after acquisitions, finds JAMA
Hospital merger and acquisition activity is expected to remain robust throughout the year, and a new report in JAMA Network Open sees advantages to this trend.
Rural hospital consolidation in particular has improved mortality rates among various condit…
