Category: Healthcare Finance News

Supreme Court to hear arguments over vaccine mandates on January 7

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments over federal vaccine mandates in a special session on Friday, January 7, 2022.
This is an unusual move by the justices to hear two cases to determine whether the mandates stand, as legal challenges move throug…

Omicron variant not convincing unvaccinated people to get the COVID-19 shot

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is the latest variant of concern in the global fight against the disease, but attitudes differ wildly about it – especially when it comes to vaccinated vs. unvaccinated individuals.

CMS issues final rule on durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies

In a final rule issued on Tuesday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has expanded access to certain durable medical equipment, such as continuous glucose monitors that increase diabetes treatment choices for people with Medicare. 

How Oracle’s acquisition of Cerner is positive for providers

Oracle’s acquisition of Cerner for $28.3 billion is positive for providers, as the deal’s primary objective is a decrease in the amount of time spent on electronic health records. 

Biden releases plan to use the military to beef up hospital staffing

President Joe Biden plans to combat the Omicron variant by using the military to ramp up hospital staffing, adding vaccination sites and getting free at-home COVID-19 test kits into the hands of Americans.
Biden’s plan, released Tuesday, will mobilize …

Medicare Advantage, consolidation drove healthcare insurer trends in 2021

It was difficult to predict trend lines for the payer and health insurance industry in 2021, largely because of persistent uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumer behavior has become more unpredictable, care models and offerings are changi…

Medicaid/Chip enrollment increases to more than 83 million, says CMS

The latest enrollment figures released this week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shows that an estimated 83 million people are now enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), representing an increase of ne…

RWJBarnabas affiliate partners with data analytics firm to create Predictive Health Solutions

An affiliate of RWJBarnabas Health’s Children’s Specialized Hospital and Pinnacle Solutions have partnered to create Predictive Health Solutions.
The Center for Discovery, Innovation and Development (CDID), an affiliate of RWJBarnabas Health’s Children…

Medicare patients challenged to access opioid use disorder medication, OIG finds

While more than 1 million Medicare beneficiaries had a diagnosis of opioid use disorder in 2020, fewer than 16% of those beneficiaries received medication to treat their condition, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General. They ac…

Saint Vincent, nurses union reach agreement to end 9-month strike

The Massachusetts Nurses Association and Worcester-based Saint Vincent Hospital have reached a tentative agreement, inking a contract that will end a strike that has lasted almost nine months.