Author's posts
The outlook for nonprofit hospitals in 2019 is bad—but it’s not that bad
New reports from the two top rating agencies—Moody’s Investors Services and Fitch Ratings—offer a gloomy outlook for 2019 as nonprofit hospitals grapple with a tough reimbursement environment and weak inpatient volumes. But here’s why the sector is sti…
UPMC, Highmark breakup making it hard to do enrollment for seniors
This week marks the end of the enrollment period for Medicare Advantage recipients in Pennsylvania. But this sign-up season has been a bit of a trick for seniors in the western part of the state stuck in the middle of the breakup between the region’s l…
AHA, AAMC sue Trump administration over site-neutral payment rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which will gradually institute site-neutral payments in the Medicare program over the next two years. In a suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the American Hospital Associat…
Federal watchdog: Nearly half of Medicare patients in long-term-care hospitals experienced harm
Nearly half of Medicare patients in long-term-care facilities have experienced some type of harm as the result of their care, endangering their health and increasing Medicare costs, according to a report from a government watchdog.
Trump administration proposal would allow Part D plans to negotiate prices of drugs in ‘protected’ classes
Among the latest proposed rule changes announced by CMS on Monday, officials also said the agency is considering a policy that would require pharmacy rebates to be passed on to seniors.
Report: Employers need to ask these questions before they cover genomic tests
There’s a lot of hype around the still-emerging science of genomics. A new guide released by the Northeast Business Group on Health this week offered some guidelines for employers about how to figure out what’s worth covering—and what might not be wort…
Atrium Health agrees to settle antitrust lawsuit over contract language
Formerly known as Carolinas HealthCare System, Atrium will resolve more than two years of civil antitrust litigation over contract provisions that blocked health insurers from promoting innovative health benefit plans and cost-effective services to con…
Why HHS wants Medicare Advantage plans to pay for home modifications, transportation for seniors
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar also teased work by CMMI to pay for benefits like food and housing through Medicaid as he addressed a crowd in D.C. on Wednesday.
Is there an ROI on wishes granted through Make-A-Wish? This study says yes
There are sustained health benefits resulting in fewer unplanned admissions and emergency department visits among seriously ill pediatric patients who have a wish granted from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a new study found.
Premier acquires Cedars-Sinai Medical Center spinout Stanson Health in $51.5 million deal
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Premier Inc. will acquire health tech company Stanson Health in a $51.5 million deal expected to close by the end of the year.
