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HHS earmarks $80M from ARP for public health IT and better COVID-19 data collection
As part of the American Rescue Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is establishing an $80 million Public Health Informatics and Technology Workforce Development Pr…
Vaccination rates for Blacks and Hispanics could lead to wider disparities
COVID-19 vaccination rates are lower among Blacks and Hispanics than for other groups, and will likely remain lower even after the country has met its vaccination goals, which could lead to widening disparities and hamper recovery from the pandemic, new
AHA wants Express Scripts to rescind 340B claims reporting policy
The American Hospital Association has sent a letter to Express Scripts asking the pharmacy benefit manager to rescind a policy requiring contract pharmacies to apply a unique code for claims under the 340B drug discount program.
Cleveland Clinic, IBM, Aetna and Anthem partner to form blockchain firm Avaneer Health
Major healthcare companies Cleveland Clinic, IBM, Aetna and Anthem have joined forces to create a new blockchain health firm, Avaneer Health, which will be housed in Chicao and work to use blockchain to increase efficiency in healthcare and reduce admi…
Humana acquiring onehome in effort to expand value-based home care
Major insurer Humana has signaled its intent to acquire One Homecare Solutions, or onehome, in an effort to grow its presence in the value-based home healthcare space. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though the insurer expects it will n…
Young people drove ER utilization for suicide attempts during the COVID-19 pandemic
Emergency department utilization has spiked this year due in large part to suspected suicide attempts by peple ages 12-17, many of them girls, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
During 20…
COVID-19 having an impact on physicians’ salaries, though pay remains high
Physicians’ earnings are on the rise, but the coronavirus has had a dampening effect, and many practices are struggling.
HHS providing $424 million to rural health clinics for COVID-19 testing
As part of the American Rescue Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, is providing $424.7 million in funding to more than 4,200 Rural Health Clinics for COVID-19 testing and mit…
UnitedHealthcare temporarily reverses ER claims denial policy after backlash
Pressure from industry groups caused the insurer to balk, though the policy is still slated to take effect when the pandemic ends.
