The Latest
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Premier joins forces with Amphastar on 7 drugs in short supply
The agreement is another example of how healthcare companies are searching for new ways to address drug shortages.
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SponsoredHow to use AI to reduce diabetes costs
Using AI to predict which type 2 diabetics will experience a diabetes-related complication can help payers save millions of dollars.
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As Medicaid work requirements cost taxpayers $408M, government watchdog calls for more oversight
"More money, fewer people with care. And you paid for 87% of it!," Andy Slavitt, who headed up CMS under former President Barack Obama, tweeted of the administrative costs associated with Medicaid work requirements.
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Providers mostly cheer anti-kickback revamp but some still wary
The Medical Group Management Association said the proposals fall short, citing a need for clarity on imaging, physical therapy and laboratory services as well as an overhaul of penalties.
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From robots to staplers, a top 10 list of medtech safety hazards
The nonprofit ECRI identified increased use of certain devices outside of acute care settings and adoption of some technologies before safety is fully assessed as common themes in its annual ranking.
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UnitedHealth doubles down on telemedicine with app in employer-sponsored plans
The insurer currently contracts with Teladoc, American Well and Doctor on Demand to offer virtual visits, though it is in talks to partner with local providers.
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Fresenius to pay $5.2M to settle Medicare overbilling allegations
DOJ alleged the company overbilled Medicare for more than seven years by ordering hepatitis B tests for patients it knew to be immune to the virus.
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For COPD patients with high deductibles, more trouble getting care
Authors of a published study said plans that "raise out-of-pocket costs or give individuals more 'skin in the game' could harm patients."
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Colorado's public option plan cuts provider rates to lower premiums
The state hospital association immediately slammed the proposal as akin to government rate-setting with "the potential to significantly damage the health insurance market in our state."
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HHS pitches sweeping revamp of Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law
The department proposed several new safe harbors to encourage value-based care, allow patient engagement through furnishing of tools and supports and permit certain remuneration in some CMS-sponsored models.
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Former FDA chief Gottlieb predicts Trump-pitched pricing model easy to game
"I don't want to give too much away, because I'll tell people how to game around this," said the former commissioner, who now sits on Pfizer's board of directors.
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Confidence, investment in AI remains high, Optum says
Health executives plan to invest almost $40 million in AI-related projects over the next five years, according to a survey, up more than $7 million from last year's estimate.
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Frustrated patients ready to switch providers over poor digital experience, report finds
Patients are seeking more clarity on bills and flexible payment options. More than half want out-of-pocket cost estimates and creative payment options, according to the survey.
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With new report, ICER puts itself at center of drug pricing storm
Pharma price hikes added billions of dollars to U.S. spending in 2017 and 2018. For seven top drugs, the watchdog found those increases came with little new clinical evidence in support.
UPDATED: Oct. 8, 2019 at 1:03 p.m. -
PPO? Co-pay? Cigna tries to explain health coverage to new members
"The ACA was really able to open the doors for a segment of the population that had really limited knowledge about how health insurance works," said Manish Naik, who leads the individual and family plans business for the payer.
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Startup Devoted says it's 1st MA plan to offer Apple Watch
It's not the first time Apple has made a wearables deal with an insurer, but does represent the tech giant's first concrete foray into Medicare Advantage.
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Livongo scores biggest diabetes contract yet
Investors reacted to the news of the BCBS federal employee program agreement by bumping up Livongo's shares more than 18%.
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Waste gobbles up 25% of US healthcare spending, JAMA study finds
In accompanying editorials, former CMS officials lamented that many initiatives aimed at cutting unnecessary spending haven't been that successful and blamed the political landscape.
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Mayo Clinic's legal tussle over $11.5M tax refund drags on
At issue is whether the top-ranked Rochester, Minn.-based nonprofit is an educational organization and, as such, entitled to collect certain tax refunds.
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Healthcare leads the way as US hits lowest unemployment mark in decades
"[T]he combination of strong demand growth from healthcare employers and shortages of many clinicians (nurses, physicians) creates a positive set-up for the healthcare temp staffing industry," Jefferies analysts wrote.
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Trump signs executive order bolstering MA in pushback on 'Medicare for All'
The directive would let commercial Medicare plans offer more novel benefits and allow beneficiaries to join in on some of the savings payers are able to deliver through cash or rebates.
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CommonSpirit Health posts $600M operating loss in 2019
The entity coming from the marriage of Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives said the results from its first annual financial report were expected given the complexity of the merger.
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As docs ditch primary care to become hospitalists, MedPAC warns of shortage
The number of hospitalists increased nearly 50% between 2010 and 2017 while the number of PCPs is basically flatlining, according to a new report from the Medicare advisory commission.
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Dartmouth-Hitchcock, GraniteOne to merge, consolidating Vermont, New Hampshire providers
The deal will create a company with eight hospitals and nearly $3 billion in revenue.
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Ramping up rhetoric against 'Medicare for All,' Trump looks to bolster popular MA program
Though administration officials were light on details, they said an executive order the president will sign Thursday aims to expand access to healthcare providers and the latest therapies.
