Author's posts
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
Former Optum exec returns to helm company
Dr. Amar Desai, who had previously spent years in various leadership roles at Optum Health, has returned to the company and will take over the role of CEO, according to a message Desai posted on LinkedIn.
Elevance Health reaches $1.9B in profits in strong Q2
Elevance Health posted a strong second quarter, achieving about $1.9 billion in revenue, good for 13.2% growth over the previous year’s $1.6 billion haul, according to the company’s latest earnings report.
Revenues also grew 12.7%, hitting $43.7 billio…
