Category: Healthcare Finance News

Increased patient volumes stabilize hospitals’ financial performance

Hospitals across the U.S. are seeing steady financial performance, driven by increased patient volumes, even as high expenses remain a persistent challenge, according to Kaufman Hall’s January 2025 National Hospital Flash Report.
The report, based on d…

HCA gets approval for new emergency room

An administrative law judge at the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings has reaffirmed the State Health Planning Agency’s approval of Mission Hospital’s Certificate of Need (CON) application for a new emergency room in West Asheville, accor…

AHA and Health-ISAC warn hospitals of a potential terrorist attack

The American Hospital Association and the nonprofit Health-ISAC (Information Sharing and Analysis Center) are warning of a potential terrorist threat against U.S. hospitals in the coming weeks.

Cyberattackers exploiting ChatGPT vulnerability to target healthcare

A vulnerability in ChatGPT that was identified last year is being used by would-be cyberattackers to target security flaws in artificial intelligence systems, with the healthcare industry one of the top targets, according to a report from Veriti.

Weight loss drugs not cost effective at current prices, study finds

Weight loss drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound are clinically effective but not cost effective at their current prices, according to a study published in JAMA Health Forum.

Johns Hopkins to lay off over 200 after federal grant funding cuts

Johns Hopkins is laying off 237 people in Baltimore, according to two Work Adjustment and Retraining Notification notices filed in Maryland on March 13.
The layoffs include 107 staffers at the Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health…

Instacart embracing AI in push for nutrition

Artificial intelligence is permeating healthcare in a number of different ways, even affecting the food we choose. Grocery technology company Instacart has announced new AI-powered features for users to make healthy food choices.

HCSC acquires Cigna’s Medicare Advantage, CareAllies businesses

Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) has completed its acquisition of Cigna’s Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Benefits, Medicare Part D and CareAllies businesses, in a deal that was originally announced over a year ago.
At the time the sale…

Optum Rx announces a reduction in drug prior authorization

Optum Rx has announced it will drop prior authorization for an estimated 80 drugs starting May 1. 
The program targets reauthorizations of drugs. For instance, once a genetic condition such as cystic fibrosis is confirmed through testing, there is mini…

Hazel Hawkins discovers ransomware threat is a hoax

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital (HHMH) recently thought it was the victim of a ransomware demand, but it turns out the incident was actually an elaborate social engineering hoax.
Earlier this month, the hospital received correspondence implying that an…