Author's posts
GAO clears HHS of wrongdoing in ACA social media dispute
The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that HHS did not violate lobbying laws by producing and posting videos on social media where citizens called for repealing the Affordable Care Act.
LifePoint Health CEO Carpenter to be replaced by Dill
LifePoint Health CEO Bill Carpenter will retire after the Brentwood, Tenn.-based health system completes its merger with RCCH HealthCare Partners. Lifepoint’s President and Chief Operating Officer David Dill will take his place.
Community Health Systems subsidiary hit with $262 million billing settlement
Health Management Associates allegedly billed government healthcare programs for inpatient services that should have been billed as outpatient or observation services, paid physicians in return for patient referrals and submitted inflated claims for…
House passes insurer, PBM anti-gag clause bills
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have both passed measures to halt the use of “gag clauses” by insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bills soon.
Healthcare remains prime target for hackers
Healthcare data breaches have risen nearly every year from 2010 through 2017. Although physical theft used to be the data breach method of choice, hacking has become the most prevalent method.
Hospitals lobby Congress to kill CMS’ proposed site-neutral pay policy
The AHA is looking for lawmakers to join its fight against the CMS’ proposed site-neutral payment policy that would equalize Medicare rates for off-campus hospital facilities and independent physicians’ offices.
UnitedHealth warns hospitals over Envision contract
If UnitedHealth and Envision don’t reach a deal to extend their contract beyond Dec. 31, patients who visit emergency departments or certain other hospital departments staffed by Envision physicians could receive big out-of-network bills.
Drug prices going up despite Trump promise
An analysis of brand-name prescription drug prices shows it’s been business as usual for drugmakers, with far more price hikes than cuts. The number of increases slowed somewhat and were not quite as steep as in past years.
Congress keeps IMD provision in final opioids package
Congress finalized its deal on opioids legislation, including one longshot measure to free up Medicaid funds for inpatient addiction treatment in the package.
Gapstur to lead WellSpan Health next year
Roxanna Gapstur will succeed Dr. Kevin Mosser as the next president and CEO of WellSpan Health after Mosser retires on Jan. 1.
