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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.
Vulnerabilities in health data privacy causing tension among patients
Confidence in the security and confidentiality of personal health information is beginning to erode, if the results of a new survey are any indication. Released by the American Medical Association, it showed that more than 92% of patients believe priva…
Permanently extending enhanced ACA subsidies would result in increased enrollment, CBO finds
If the enhanced subsidies on the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges were extended on a permanent basis, there would be just shy of 5 million new signups annually, according to a letter sent to the Senate Finance Committee by the Congressional Budget Office.
Consumers want better digital tools for finding care, Optum survey shows
Increasingly, consumers are growing dissatisfied with their current digital experiences in healthcare, saying they would prefer a more seamless means of scheduling and interacting with their provider or health plan.
According to a new survey from Unit…
