Author's posts
Medicare Part D premiums to fall next year
HHS will lower premiums for Medicare prescription drug plans next year, and the agency credited lower drug prices for the change.
CHS, LifePoint complete divestitures in Florida, Louisiana
Community Health Systems and LifePoint Health announced they have closed on divestitures of four hospitals in Florida and Louisiana.
Molina Healthcare shares soar after cost-cutting success
Molina is undergoing a companywide overhaul to improve profit margins, and investors are beginning to see results as profit surged in the second quarter.
UHS subsidiary acquires U.K. autism provider
UHS’ U.K. subsidiary, Cygnet Health Care, acquired U.K. autism-care provider the Danshell Group, which has 25 facilities and 288 beds. Leerink Partners estimates the deal will increase UHS’ U.K. beds by 12%.
Trump administration to allow renewable, short-term insurance that lasts up to a year
The Trump administration has touted the move to expand access to short-term insurance coverage as a way to make healthcare coverage more affordable for people who have been priced out of the individual market.
National Academy of Medicine convenes opioid crisis coalition
The 35-member coalition wants to speed up the national response to the opioid epidemic.
Academic hospitals could see Medicare cuts under billing code plan
Academic and rural hospitals will likely see a cut in Medicare funding if the CMS finalizes its proposal to reduce reimbursement for more-complex patients, according to Moody’s Investors Service.
Post-acute care providers get more than $900M in Medicare raises
The CMS will give post-acute care providers more than $900 million in collective raises next year, including a 2.4% increase for skilled-nursing facilities and 1.3% for inpatient rehab centers.
Providers ramp up preparation for drug shortages
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists published new guidelines that outline a detailed action plan for providers preparing for drug shortages.
Senate panel eyes regulating insurance prior authorizations
A key Senate health panel explored ways to standardize prior authorization across the insurance industry, but at least one witness was frustrated lawmakers focused on creating new regulations before rolling back existing rules.
