The Latest
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New CMS database aimed at interoperability in post-acute care
The Data Element Library includes health IT standards to facilitate collection and exchange of patient health information.
Health IT -
Opioid supply levels decline in most states, report finds
States that passed laws to limit opioid prescriptions, such as Maine, appeared to have the biggest reductions.
Policy & Regulation -
AHIP18: CEO warns payers of urgency for 'change and innovation'
The potential threat from Amazon and others to the industry hovered over the conference. Atul Gawande is set to speak later today.
Payer -
CMS seeks input on Stark Law changes amid value-based care shift
The American Hospital Association has been vocal in pushing for changes to the physician self-referral law, calling it outdated.
Payer -
Ascension spins out hospital automation tool service
Named Agilify, the unit seeks to help hospitals with repetitive tasks.
Health IT -
Omada Health launches new programs for obesity-related diseases
One program offers personalized interventions for people with diabetes.
Health IT -
Veritas' Verscend to buy healthcare payment company Cotiviti
The new, merged business will operate as a private healthcare IT company.
Health IT -
Allegheny Health Network plans four micro-hospitals
The neighborhood hospitals, part of a for-profit venture with Emerus, are planned for construction in western Pennsylvania.
Finance -
FDA unveils software Pre-Cert update
The agency hopes to finalize the working model by the end of the year and launch a large-scale pilot program in 2019.
Health IT -
Amazon-Berkshire-JP Morgan healthcare venture names Gawande CEO
The New Yorker staff writer and Harvard Medical School surgery professor is seen as an unconventional choice.
Practice Management -
AMA opposes CVS-Aetna deal
Company officials argued the deal could reduce healthcare spending, improve efficiencies and help patients with chronic illnesses, but the AMA said less healthcare competition would be bad for consumers.
Payer -
Trump admin finalizes Association Health Plans expansion
The final rule appears to contain protections for pre-existing conditions, age and gender, but allows AHPs to skirt the ACA's 10 essential health benefits.
UPDATED: June 20, 2018 at 10:05 a.m.
Payer -
BCBS of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic forge pact on tech coverage
The five-year agreement calls for a joint governance structure to assess advancements in areas such as radiation therapy and genomics.
Health IT -
MD Anderson slapped with $4.3M HIPAA fine
An HHS investigation into three data breaches found the health information of more than 33,500 people was compromised. The hospital contends no patient information was in jeopardy and said it will appeal.
Health Law -
CVS offers at-home Rx delivery amid Amazon threat
The pharmacy giant said it will become the first national drugstore to deliver prescriptions directly to consumers.
Payer -
Deductibles, coinsurance on the rise, but cost of copays are down
A new Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker report on large employer health plans also found that insurers are paying slightly less on covered medical expenses than a decade ago.
Payer -
Walmart wins patent for medical records stored on blockchain
The patented system would allow first responders to access data if a person is incapacitated.
Health IT -
Humana, Walgreens expand primary care program for seniors
The companies will partner on two new senior-focused primary care clinics in the Kansas City, Missouri area.
Health IT -
340B audit imbalances under fire at Senate panel
The director of the agency overseeing the drug discount program for hospitals said legislation is needed for it to do a better job at oversight and transparency.
Payer -
IBM Watson Health paring down hospital projects
The announcement follows recently confirmed layoffs at the company.
Health IT -
Deep DiveHospital CEO pay rises steadily, but still lags many sectors
Median CEO pay at hospital and health systems is stable with very modest increases in the range of 2.5% to 3% year-over-year.
Health IT -
Nonprofit hospitals vulnerable to declining rate of insured, S&P says
To date, the rise in uninsured has no discernible effect on for-profit hospitals. But over time it could hurt credit ratings for nonprofit hospitals and health systems.
Payer -
Quest Analytics takes on network accuracy with BetterDoctor buy
The deal combines Quest Analytic's network decision support tools with BetterDoctor's provider data management platform.
Health IT -
Patients want better communication, care coordination, survey shows
Insurance giant Aetna finds physician respondents working within value-based care models have better access to community resources.
Hospital Administration -
Payers moving to value-based care faster than expected
Insurers can take a while to implement programs, however, with 21% needing 18 months and 13% requiring up to two years or more, according to a survey from Change Healthcare.
Payer