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ECRI Institute launches site to replace shuttered National Guideline Clearinghouse
The ECRI Institute on Monday launched its much-anticipated online repository for clinical guidelines. Officials hope the website will replace the federal government’s National Guideline Clearinghouse, which shut down in July.
Ascension’s outpatient transformation comes at a cost
Ascension reported higher proportions of publicly insured patients and dips in some volume metrics in the third quarter amid its transformation from being an inpatient to an outpatient provider.
CHS settles lawsuit against former CEO of Fort Wayne hospitals
Community Health Systems has settled a lawsuit against the former CEO of its Fort Wayne, Ind., subsidiary, Lutheran Health Network, more than a year after it alleged the CEO used confidential information to lure a competitor to the Fort Wayne area.
Pharmacists take aim at benefit managers
Independent pharmacists in New York are calling for a state investigation into the practices of pharmacy benefit managers—the companies that negotiate drug prices on behalf of insurers and employers. They blame the PBMs for forcing owners to…
New York-Presbyterian and Empire BCBS negotiating deal that could affect 300,000
New York-Presbyterian is struggling to reach an agreement to remain in Empire BlueCross BlueShield’s network. If the two sides can’t agree before Jan. 1, New York-Presbyterian estimates that about 300,000 patients could face higher charges next year.
Cleveland Clinic-Oscar Health pairing is exceeding hopes
The partnership, which marked the Clinic’s first heavy play in the insurance business, vastly exceeded expectations in the first year, securing what they estimate to be a 15% share of the individual market in the 2018 open enrollment season.
Improper Medicare payments hit lowest level in nearly a decade
More targeted enforcement activity and reduced regulatory burden led to a nearly $5 billion drop in improper Medicare payments in fiscal 2018.
Branded-drug price hikes dwarf higher utilization of lower-cost generics
In 2017, brand-name prescription drugs made up only 17% of total prescriptions filled but represented 79% of total drug spending, according to an updated study from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Geisinger tackles post-op pain management without opioids
Geisinger on Thursday announced the launch of a surgical redesign program aimed at expediting healing, improving pain management and reducing opioid use.
Partners, Harvard Pilgrim table merger talks
Massachusetts’ dominant health system and one of its largest payers have put their merger talks on hold, after executives reportedly felt the deal was getting too complicated.
