Category: Healthcare Finance News

Aetna to pay $935,000 in settlement with California in envelope data breach case

The settlement also requires Aetna to implement mailing procedures that protect the confidentiality of medical information and complete a yearly compliance assessment.

Drop in hospital-acquired conditions results in $7.7 billion in savings for providers

CMS had hoped the threat of penalties would focus more attention on improving care quality, but most of the changes have been to coding practices.

Anthem accelerates start for pharmacy benefit manager IngenioRX

Cigna’s acquisition of current pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts helped spur the early launch.

Are healthcare jobs safe from AI? More so than many might think

No occupation will be unaffected by the technology, but healthcare will be affected less than other industries, owing much to its inherent complexity.

Avera taps pharmacogenomics to help providers choose the right medicine

The system’s pharmacy team conducts a targeted gene panel for medication metabolism for psychiatry, pain and oncology, among other conditions.

Medicare Advantage revenue expected to increase 1.59 percent under proposed rate changes

For the first time, MA plans may lower cost sharing for drugs such as Naloxone, to treat opioid overdoses.

New Association Health Plans showing promising trends, double-digit cost savings

The data shows a trend toward comprehensive benefits and significant cost savings, though concerns remain, especially regarding consumer protections.

Medical University of South Carolina set $137 million price cap for 4-hospital deal with CHS

The deal is a milestone for the South Carolina public health system, as it is the first time MUSC has acquired other hospitals.

Addressing social determinants of health? Consider artificial intelligence and machine learning

The technology is still maturing, but already can be used to make sense of social determinants data — a must in modern care delivery.

University of Chicago Medicine study shows need to enhance patient rest, evaluate overnight interruptions for better patient experience

The program used electronic "nudges" to clinical staff to forgo overnight vitals and medications as well as clinical staff education on improving patient sleep.