Category: Becker’s Hospital Review

HCA subsidiary to close California hospital pediatric unit

Thousand Oaks, Calif.-based Los Robles Regional Medical Center will close its 12-bed pediatric unit July 1 due to low patient volumes, the VC Star reported Feb. 20.

1 year later: The Change Healthcare cyberattack and its lasting impact on healthcare

One year after a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealthcare, the breach—which exposed the personal and health data of 190 million individuals—has been deemed the largest in healthcare history.

Suicide ideation rises among physicians: 6 notes

Suicide ideation among physicians has risen after being stagnant for two years, a Feb. 21 Medscape report found.

VP of prescription platform pleads guilty in $1B fraud scheme

A Kansas man has pleaded guilty to operating a fraud scheme that billed Medicare and other health insurers more than $1 billion through an online platform for durable medical equipment and fake physician orders.

Indiana House passes bill aiming to strip nonprofit status of hospitals overcharging patients

The Indiana House passed a bill that would revoke nonprofit status if it charges patients more than 300% of the Medicare reimbursement rate,  The Indianapolis Star reported Feb. 20. 

Fitch affirms CommonSpirit's 'A-' rating despite 'stubbornly persistent' operational challenges

Fitch affirmed Chicago-based CommonSpirit’s “A-” rating despite some of the health system’s financial metrics suggesting a lower category.  

Avera McKennan taps regional chief medical officer

Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center named Jared Friedman, MD, chief medical officer of the Avera McKennan region.

DOJ probes UnitedHealth's Medicare Advantage billing practices: WSJ

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating billing practices at UnitedHealth Group following reports that the company inflated charges to maximize Medicare Advantage reimbursements, The Wall Street Journal reported in an exclusive.

3 years into Cleveland Clinic's MRI brain study: What to know

Cleveland Clinic researchers are three years into a longitudinal brain study, in which volunteers are undergoing periodic medical imaging, cognitive assessments and neuropsychological exams to help identify biomarkers associated with neurological disor…

Wyoming reports 1st human bird flu case: 3 updates

A woman in Platte County, Wyo., has been hospitalized with the state’s first reported case of H5N1 avian flu, the fourth severe case in the U.S., CIDRAP reported Feb. 17.