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DaVita group to pay $270M to settle Medicare Advantage false claims probe with DOJ
A medical care group part of dialysis giant DaVita Inc. will pay $270 million to resolve claims it provided inaccurate information that caused Medicare Advantage plans to receive inflated Medicare payments.
GAO: These are the rural hospitals most likely to close
The federal watchdog agency raised new concerns about the rate of rural hospital closures in the U.S. last week. Here’s a look at which hospitals appear most at risk.
Federal watchdog suggests increased oversight for VA’s pharmacy inventory management
The Government Accountability Office recommended the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers’ pharmacy inventories could benefit from a little more oversight after years of challenges—including difficulties with accurately accounting for and upd…
Community Health Systems-owned hospital chain agrees to pay $262M settlement for kickback, fraud allegations
A health system that is part of hospital giant Community Health Systems Inc. agreed to pay more than $262 million to resolve criminal charges and civil claims, the Justice Department announced on Tuesday.
Fitch: Margins getting harder to meet at nonprofit hospitals
While nonprofit health systems are doing more than ever to run efficiently, it’s getting harder for them to make money. That’s according to a new report from Fitch Ratings, which said it’s maintaining a negative outlook for the sector based on its eval…
Former CMS administrator Andy Slavitt’s venture firm closes $115M fund
Can investing in companies that focus on helping vulnerable populations also be lucrative? The venture capital firm started by former Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt is making that bet and just closed its firs…
Moody’s: Rising U.S. healthcare costs could hit other sectors of the economy
A new report from Moody’s Investors Services warned that factors such as the continuing rise of healthcare costs and an aging population could cause a ripple of negative impacts across the U.S. economy.
Senate passes massive opioid package, bill to ban gag clauses
The opioid package will now head to reconciliation with the House of Representatives before advancing for the president’s signature. The Senate also passed a measure aimed at addressing high drug prices by banning contract clauses that stop pharmacists…
CVS’ Larry Merlo defends rebates, touts pending Aetna deal at Morgan Stanley conference
With the Trump administration’s focus on curbing high prescription costs, drug rebates negotiated by pharmacy benefit managers have become a popular whipping boy. But CVS CEO Larry Merlo said he doesn’t foresee either going away anytime soon.
With $200M investment, cancer practices launch startup OneOncology to help doctors keep independence
With a dedicated EHR platform through Flatiron Health, three large cancer practices are partnering to create economies of scale and push back against consolidation by pulling together more than 200 oncology providers at more than 100 care locations.
