Credit rating agency A.M. Best upgraded ratings of more health insurers in the first half of 2018 than in the same period last year, as companies reported improved operating results in ACA exchanges and continued to turn a profit in other markets.
Category: Modern Healthcare
Lack of provider data, scheduling options impedes care coordination
Physicians do not have the data to best use their referral network, which can hurt outcomes and damage the patient experience, according to a new survey.
CMS vows to curb costs of state Medicaid demonstrations
The CMS is tightening its financial oversight of state Medicaid waiver demonstrations, warning it would withhold approvals unless states show the changes won’t cost the federal government more money.
Older adults, women underrepresented in heart failure clinical trials
Women and older adults only make up a small percentage of patients in clinical trials for heart failure even though they make up a large portion of patients who suffer from the conditions, according to a new study.
Health systems launch collaboration to improve care for Medicaid patients
Fourteen health systems have launched a national collaboration to develop more effective ways of serving their Medicaid populations, starting with avoiding unnecessary emergency department visits.
5 burning questions senators had for Seema Verma
CMS Administrator Seema Verma faced senators for the first time since her confirmation Tuesday. Here are five major policy questions the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee had for her.
Feds want to force Anthem to comply with Medicare billing investigation
The Justice Department asked a federal court to force Anthem to provide testimony related to its Medicare Advantage billing practices. Anthem so far has refused to comply with the federal government’s demands.
Premier’s stock jumps 14% on Q4 earnings report
Premier’s stock price closed more than 14% higher after reporting strength in fourth-quarter revenue for its group purchasing business and modest growth in its performance services business.
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute awards $85M for studies
The board of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute agreed to award $85 million for 16 new studies on treatment options for conditions like opioid abuse and cancer.
Court upholds Wolf order organizing home healthcare workers
Pennsylvania’s highest court ruled that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf did not exceed his authority when he set up a process to give some union rights to home-based workers who care for elderly and disabled people.
