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Operating margins up but still in the red as expenses soar

Hospital operating margins were up slightly from May to June, but were still negative overall due to still-soaring expenses, according to the latest Flash Report from Kaufman Hall.
Margins were still significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels, and ev…

New York AG sues CVS over 340B discounts for safety net hospitals

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed suit against CVS Health, saying the former violated antitrust laws and prevented safety net hospitals from receiving millions in 340B discounts.

CMS only collected half of $498 million in Medicare overpayments, OIG found

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has collected just little more than half of $498 million in Medicare overpayments identified in eight-year-old audits, according to Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector general.

CMS seeking feedback to improve Medicare Advantage

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is looking for ways to make Medicare Advantage better. The agency has released a Request for Information seeking public comment on the popular offering, and is seeking input on ways to make it more equitab…

Healthcare spending declines for first time since 1960

Adjusted for inflation, healthcare spending in the U.S. declined for the first time in more than half a century in 2021, according to a new report from Altarum. 
The first time the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services officially tracked health sp…

House committee advances bill reforming MA prior authorizations

The House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday convened a markup session regarding a bipartisan bill, “Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2022,” which seeks to modernize the way Medicare Advantage plans and healthcare providers use prior …

Humana reorganizing, paring down to two main units

In a move meant to simplify its organizational structure, Humana will pare itself down into two main units, Insurance Services and CenterWell, while launching an executive search for president of insurance and enterprise services.

CMS releases maternity care plan, extends Medicaid and CHIP coverage

As part of the Biden Administration’s bid to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities for people during and after pregnancy and childbirth, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced a Maternity Care Action Plan – saying it will…

Universal Health Services sees profits plunge 50% in Q2

Acute and behavioral hospital operator Universal Health Services saw higher revenue in the second quarter but a much lower profit, with profits dipping by half compared to its quarterly performance in Q2 2021, according to financial documents released …

Centene divesting Spanish, central European businesses

In another round of divestitures, Centene will be selling off its Spanish and central European businesses to French hospital operator Vivalto Santé for an undisclosed sum, in a transaction expected to close before the end of the year.