Author's posts
More ACA exchange members, Fidelis deal bolster Centene’s revenue
Centene Corp.’s Affordable Care Act exchange membership reached nearly 1.5 million last year, helping boost the health insurer’s revenue during the fourth-quarter and full-year 2018.
Senate panel hears pitch on physician-dispensed generics
A Senate panel focused on bringing down healthcare costs hears a different pitch on drug pricing: swap insurers for wholesalers.
Commercial plans’ lower rates for mental healthcare may reduce patient access
Commercial and Medicare Advantage plans pay mental health providers in their networks significantly lower rates than traditional Medicare pays, which likely reduces access for patients.
Premier reports strong performance services revenue growth
Premier reported strong growth in its performance services segment in the second quarter of its fiscal 2019, while its much larger supply chain services segment grew only 1% year-over-year.
Senators seek industry data on surprise medical bills
The debate on how to fix balance billing for patients is intensifying, and senators leading the charge on legislation want hard answers from industry.
Baylor Scott & White, Memorial Hermann call off merger
While executives didn’t outline why the deal fell through, there had been some concern regarding the alignment of their academic missions as well as a mismatch of their physician-management models, sources close to the matter said.
HHS official wants states to know the risks of pot legalization
A top HHS official called for grassroots organizers to inform states of the perils of marijuana use as more states consider legalization.
Hepatitis C cases spiked after Oxycontin reformulated to deter opioid abuse
A new study found the increased rate of hepatitis C cases is linked to 2010 changes to the painkiller OxyContin that made it harder to abuse.
Bipartisan lawmaker group seeks more briefings on VA Mission Act, EHRs
Congress’ leaders on VA issues are urging VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to communicate more on the implementation of the VA Mission Act, the Cerner electronic health records contract.
Report: Hospitals pushed costs to privately insured patients
Colorado hospitals could have passed on savings to consumers of as much as $11.5 billion over a nine-year period if they had better contained costs and lowered their margins, according to a new state report.
