Category: Healthcare Finance News

California COVID-19 surge leaves hospital nurses frustrated over staffing shortages

The state’s nurses union urges Congress to pass President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.
The state’s nurses union urges Congress to pass President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

New COVID-19 model shows little benefit in vaccinating high-risk individuals first

To obtain significant improvements, a very large fraction of the town population should, in fact, be vaccinated.

Elizabeth Richter named interim head of CMS as Biden transitions to new era

The move is the first sign of future healthcare policy changes, given Biden’s promises to reform the industry.

Micky Tripathi named by Biden administration to lead ONC

As National Coordinator for Health IT, the interoperability veteran will bring deep standards expertise as the rubber hits the road on nationwide API-based data exchange.

Physician medical group M&As peaked in fourth quarter for 2020

Analysts predict that the uptick will continue and that this year could be record-setting for physician practice deals.

Healthcare workers’ capacity for change key in fighting COVID-19-related burnout

Work environments and job demands have a significant effect on the health and well-being of frontline care workers.

HHS pushes back CARES reporting timeline, updates guidance

HHS is encouraging all relief fund recipients that have received aggregate payments exceeding $10,000 to establish a reporting account.

President Joe Biden’s plan to control the COVID-19 pandemic on day one

Biden is expected to issue a national mask mandate and create an office of COVID-19 response, headed by the new coronavirus czar.

CMS receives payer pushback on final interoperability and prior authorization rule

Rule requiring payers to implement APIs for data sharing and to streamline prior authorization is "half-baked," AHIP says.

CMS touts falling premiums in announcing Medicare Advantage and Part D rates

This earlier release of the rate announcement will help MA and Part D plans better plan for 2022 plan costs, CMS says.