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Healthcare tops industries affected by data breaches
While data breaches affect all industries, healthcare suffers the largest financial hit, according to data compiled by the Ponemon Institute.
This year, the average cost of a data breach reached an all time high of $4.4 million. That’s a 2.3% increase …
Community Health Systems sells three hospitals to Tampa General for $290M
Subsidiaries of Franklin, Tennessee-based Community Health Systems have agreed to sell three Florida hospitals to Tampa General Hospital in a deal estimated to be worth $290 million, with the transaction expected to close later this year.
The hospitals…
Proposed rules build on Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
The departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury have proposed new rules meant to better ensure that those seeking coverage for mental health and substance use disorder can access treatment more easily – as easily as, say, seeking c…
Hospital consolidation hurts consumers’ wallets, report finds
Hospitals have been acquiring ambulatory care centers at a decent clip in many markets, and this could have a detrimental effect on consumers’ premiums and out-of-pocket spending due to the resulting outpatient facility fees, according to a new report …
FTC withdraws advocacy for pharmacy benefit managers
Claiming that its old policy statements no longer reflect current market dynamics, the Federal Trade Commission has voted to rescind its prior statements of advocacy for pharmacy benefit managers, effectively ending the agency’s previously stated endor…
OIG: Prior authorization denials raise concerns about Medicaid Advantage
The Office of Inspector General has released a report examining prior authorization patterns from seven managed care companies, and based on the findings is urging increased oversight of prior authorization denials in Medicaid Advantage.
Dr. LaShawn McIver named new CHEO at AHIP
AHIP has named Dr. LaShawn McIver as its new chief health equity officer, effective immediately. The insurer group is framing the hire as part of its efforts to advance health equity.
McIver will lead AHIP’s health equity initiatives, setting and drivi…
HHS distributes $47.8 million to expand access to opioid use disorder medications
The Department of Health and Human Services, through its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is announcing awards in five grant programs devoted to combating multiple facets of substance misuse and the nation’s overdose epidemic….
Colorado the latest to liquidate Friday Health Plans
Due to the financial instability of Friday Health Plans of Colorado and growing concerns about healthcare providers refusing to treat Friday enrollees, the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), is a…
FTC withdraws healthcare enforcement policy statements
The Federal Trade Commission has signaled the withdrawal of two antitrust policy statements related to enforcement in healthcare markets: Statements of Antitrust Enforcement Policy in Health Care, published in August 1996, and
