Author's posts
HHS shows 63-fold increase in Medicare telehealth use during the pandemic
Telehealth utilization increased 63-fold during the pandemic, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Behavioral health providers saw the highest telehealth utilization in a 32-fold increase, HHS said.
Insurers are being required to cover at-home COVID-19 tests
Starting next month, health plans will cover at-home tests for the 150 million Americans with private health insurance, President Biden says.
Northwell Health launches patient engagement platform developed by health system incubator
Backed by Northwell Ventures, the Playback Health mobile platform gives patients a replay of their care instructions.
FDA committee narrowly recommends Merck’s antiviral pill to treat COVID-19
The FDA’s Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee voted 13-10 to recommend that the FDA authorize Merck’s antiviral pill to treat COVID-19.
Safety concerns include a recommendation that the drug not be used during pregnancy.
Many committee members said …
Numerous states win lawsuits against federal vaccine mandate
A federal judge in Missouri has granted 10 states a preliminary injunction against the Biden Administration’s rule requiring healthcare workers to get vaccinated.
The federal government overstepped its authority because the mandate was not authorized b…
Supreme Court to hear 340B drug discount arguments today
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments today in the case involving 340B payments for hospitals’ outpatient drugs.
WHO declares COVID-19’s Omicron a ‘Variant of Concern’
The World Health Organization has declared the new COVID-19 variant Omicron a “Variant of Concern.”
The WHO Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution convened on Friday to assess the variant that was first reported to WHO from South Afric…
Rural providers are getting $7.5 billion in American Rescue Plan funds
The average amount is $170,700, with payments ranging from $500 to $43 million.
Surprise medical bills average $750 to $2,600, new federal report says
Millions of Americans with private health insurance experience some kind of surprise medical billing, according to a new government report released less than six weeks before the No Surprises Act goes into effect.
House passage of Build Back Better gets mixed reaction
The House on Friday morning approved President Biden’s $1.7 trillion social spending plan, in a 220 to 213 vote largely along party lines.
“This bill is monumental, it’s historic, it’s transformative, it’s bigger than anything we’ve ever done,” House …
