The Latest
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Medical practice groups saw better margins in 2018
Total profit per physician in independent practice associations rose to $2,510 per doctor last year, up from $2,396, according to AMGA Consulting's annual physician group survey.
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UnitedHealth Q2 revenue growth fueled by Medicare, Optum
The insurance giant's revenues grew 8% year over year to $60.6 billion — a "solid start" to managed care organizations' reporting season, according to Jefferies analysts.
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Oscar to enter Medicare Advantage market in New York, Texas
For New York residents, the upstart health insurer is planning to sell an MA plan co-branded with Montefiore Health System. In Houston, it intends to partner with multiple providers.
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Most hospitals don't meet watchdog group's safe volume thresholds for high-risk surgeries
The Leapfrog Group analysis looked at eight high-risk procedures, including mitral valve repair and replacement, performed at more than 2,000 hospitals.
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Healthcare leads in data breaches reported, survey finds
Seven in 10 organizations said they had experienced a data breach at some point, and one-third said there had been one in the past year, according to French security company Thales and analysis firm IDC.
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High-deductible plans can offer more access to preventive treatment under new rule
Under the guidance, potentially life-saving healthcare services and products used to treat common chronic diseases can be covered as preventive services in high-deductible health plans before enrollees reach their annual deductible.
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Surprise billing fight escalates as providers win arbitration add to House bill
Insurers and health policy experts are pushing back against the controversial change to the bill, which will let providers or payers appeal to an independent arbiter in cases where the median in-network rate tops $1,250.
UPDATED: July 17, 2019 at 4:11 p.m. -
Spending on primary care paltry, but some states ramping up
Increasing spending on primary care lowers emergency department visits and hospitalizations, according to the Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative's 2019 Evidence Report, but America isn't funding it.
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Surprise billing legislation saves $7.6B, trims premiums, budget watchdog says
The sweeping Senate bill, which also tackles drug costs and bars certain contracts between payers and providers, was passed out of committee with bipartisan support last week.
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ACA premiums for unsubsidized consumers hit new highs
The average monthly premium for a family of two hit $1,000 per month in 2019, according to eHealth's analysis of data on the unsubsidized market.
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Care New England pulls out of merger discussions
CNE and Lifespan, Rhode Island's two largest healthcare systems, had been in talks with Brown University about creating a locally run academic medical center.
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UnitedHealth to jumpstart Q2 results with eyes on volume, 'Medicare for All'
The healthcare giant will report its earnings Thursday, setting the stage for the rest of the season.
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CVS launches home hemodialysis device clinical trial
The drugstore giant, which now includes insurance heavyweight Aetna, said it can help reduce the $35 billion in Medicare costs associated with the treatment of end-stage renal disease.
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CMS proposes Medicare cover acupuncture for patients in approved studies
Medicare doesn't usually cover alternative medical procedures, but the government is looking for ways to reduce the nation's dependence on highly addictive opioids for chronic pain.
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Intermountain starts new company to spur shift toward value
The effort will be led by Rajesh Shrestha, Intermountain vice president and chief operating officer of community based care.
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Uptake remains low, but doctors of all ages interested in telemedicine
The study by professional medical network Doximity also found the number of doctors calling telemedicine a skill doubled over the past three years.
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Participation in APMs, MIPS climbed significantly in 2018
Many physicians have rejected the programs, saying they contain too many rules and rely too much on expensive investments in EHRs.
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Plaintiffs in ACA lawsuit may not have exchange plans. Could that derail the entire challenge?
The two men claim the individual mandate forces them to buy expensive insurance. But they may no longer have minimum essential coverage, raising questions about whether they have standing in the high-profile case.
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CMS to delay star ratings update pending expert panel review
The agency will convene an expert panel to look at the star ratings system, which is deeply unpopular with providers, and decide whether it's due for a facelift.
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OpinionAn important first step toward eliminating the transplant waitlist
Global Liver Institute president and CEO Donna Cryer discusses how the U.S. liver transplant system has failed patients — and how President Donald Trump's ambitious new renal care plan could help.
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Health IT committee addresses some, but not all industry concerns with TEFCA
The advisory group recommended ONC align the HHS blueprint to foster interoperability with corresponding proposed rules to crack down on information blocking and proposed multiple incentives for industry adoption.
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CMS proposes new home infusion therapy benefit
Home infusion therapy allows for the delivery of certain drugs, such as anti-infectives, chemotherapy or treatment for immune deficiencies, with the use of a durable medical equipment pump at a patient's home.
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Trump executive order seeks to overhaul US kidney care
The government push for home dialysis will help major payers like UnitedHealth Group, Cigna, Anthem and Humana and interested companies like CVS Health move into the space.
UPDATED: July 10, 2019 at 1:48 p.m. -
Deep DiveACA's legal jeopardy: 4 questions
The embattled landmark law is again before jurists, this time a panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Arguments this week offered more insight into what's at stake.
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FCC approves rural telehealth pilot
The three-year, $100 million program would give an 85% discount on connectivity for broadband-enabled telehealth services that directly connect doctors and patients.
