CMS insurer price transparency rule has taken effect. Signs are good for compliance

The Latest

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  Ongoing coverage of Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade

  Many provider groups protested the 6-3 decision, with the American Medical Association saying it was "deeply disturbed" by the court overturning Roe v. Wade, which was precedent for almost half a century.

  Hospitals

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  Biden signs law requiring more VA transparency on EHR rollout costs

  The new law received bipartisan support as lawmakers become increasingly frustrated with the VA’s management of the seven-year-old program, which has been dogged by delays, growing spending and operational issues.

  Health IT

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  Overturning of Roe v. Wade

  HHS issues guidance on when providers may be forced to share patient information

  The HHS Office for Civil Rights issued privacy guidelines Wednesday clarifying how to protect patient health information following the Supreme Court's ruling ending the constitutional right to an abortion.

  Hospitals

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  UHS lowers financial outlook on 'unfavorable' operating environment, making good on April warning

  UHS is not the first system to slash guidance this year citing adverse operating conditions, trailing peers HCA and CHS.

  Hospitals

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  CVS long-term care unit Omnicare taps new president

  Ahmed Hassan, who will assume the role Friday, will be tasked with leading CVS’ long-term care business and formulating business strategy.

  Payer

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  Deep Dive

  Companies see a future for smart implants. Doctors are waiting for proof.

  Zimmer Biomet and Canary Medical are rolling out the first knee implant with an integrated sensor, though it will take time to learn how to incorporate that data into patient care, experts say.

  Health IT

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  House hearing ups ante on Medicare Advantage reform

  Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are taking a harder look at coverage denials, fraud and waste in the popular program.

  Payer

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  Democrat governors urge Congress to prevent 'disastrous' coverage loss by preserving ACA subsidies

  The 14 governors said they’re concerned many Americans will be forced to reduce insurance coverage or forgo it entirely if Congress allows the subsidies to expire.

  Payer

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  Rising expenses offset small hospital gains in May, report finds

  The report from Kaufman Hall displays a continued trend of lackluster hospital performance that’s expected to continue throughout 2022, with margins expected to remain below pre-pandemic levels for the rest of the year.

  Hospitals

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  Mass General Brigham's health plan launches rebrand as it looks to expand

  AllWays Health Partners will change its name to Mass General Brigham Health Plan as it looks to leverage the name recognition of the system and deepen integration with the provider.

  Hospitals

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  CMS launches voluntary incentive program aiming to cut cancer death rate

  The Enhancing Oncology Model requires participating providers to offer services including patient navigation, 24-hour access to clinicians, a detailed care plan and screening for social needs.

  Payer

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  Overturning of Roe v. Wade

  Almost half of nation's OB-GYN residents train in states poised to ban abortion

  Physicians warn that the Supreme Court ruling will have a dire impact on training, ultimately affecting patient care.

  Hospitals

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  Overturning of Roe v. Wade

  Following Roe ruling, Biden administration warns payers they must cover contraception

  Historically, insurer compliance with this provision of the law has been inconsistent, but the stakes for women’s health are significantly higher given the Supreme Court’s decision on Friday.

  Payer

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  Overturning of Roe v. Wade

  Some state abortion laws put on hold as providers grapple with aftermath of Dobbs decision

  In Louisiana and Utah, judges put temporary holds on abortion bans and set future court dates to litigate the issue. Other states still have trigger laws currently in effect.

  Hospitals

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  Overturning of Roe v. Wade

  End of Roe causes confusion at Michigan's largest health system

  The turbulence in Michigan underscores the complexities health systems and providers face as access to abortion will now be decided by each state.

  Hospitals

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  'Most socially responsible' hospitals ranked

  The Lown Institute index, which measures hospitals with metrics such as value and health equity, found that the best performers were often located in smaller communities.

  Hospitals

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  Sentara appoints new CEO

  Dennis Matheis will assume his new role Sept. 1 with the nonprofit system that operates 12 acute care hospitals across Virginia and North Carolina and a health plan with over 800,000 members.

  Hospitals

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  Supreme Court rules in favor of HHS in Medicare disproportionate share payments case

  The highest court upheld HHS' method of calculating Medicare payments to hospitals serving a high proportion of low-income patients, rebutting hospitals’ efforts to recoup potentially billions of dollars from the program.

  Hospitals

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  Health services M&A slowed in Q1, but rebound anticipated

  Private equity and corporate funding remains available and is driving competition for assets, especially for physician medical groups, home health organizations and long-term care facilities.

  Finances

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  UnitedHealth's Optum looks to cut down on unnecessary lab testing

  Optum says roughly 13 billion clinical lab tests are performed each year and 30% are unnecessary.

  Payer

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  Overturning of Roe v. Wade

  Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, ending constitutional right to abortion

  As it currently stands, 26 states are deemed certain or likely to end abortion rights, making abortion effectively illegal in half of the country, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

  Hospitals

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  Firearm-safety law is move toward acknowledging gun violence as public health issue, physicians say

  Medical associations representing physicians voiced their support for the legislation and have recently strengthened their messaging on gun reform following mass shootings.

  Hospitals

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  Overturning of Roe v. Wade

  'Chaos' from state abortion bans going into effect will have legal, criminal implications for providers

  The effect of Friday's opinion will be felt by providers, medical groups and hospitals across the country, including primary care doctors and emergency physicians, experts say.

  Hospitals

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  Colorado first state to launch public option via federal waiver

  Through the waiver granted by the CMS on Thursday, Colorado can use federal funds to set up a government-run health plan, a long-held progressive healthcare goal.

  Payer

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  Kaiser nurses in Los Angeles wage 1-day strike

  The health system has contingency plans in place and does not expect the strike to impact scheduled procedures and services, according to a statement.

  Hospitals

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