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Hospital volumes, revenues rebounded as omicron cases waned in March

Many patients returned for nonurgent procedures and other non-COVID-19 care, especially outpatient, that had been previously delayed, according to a Kaufman Hall report.

Stanford nurses ratify deal, ending weeklong strike

Nurses will return to work Tuesday after ratifying a deal on new contracts that include measures to better retain and recruit nursing staff, the union said.

Insurers may be padding Medicaid physician networks, study finds

Some doctors listed in managed care provider network directories didn't file any Medicaid claims over the course of a year, according to new research published in Health Affairs.

Labor costs unlikely to wind down soon, for-profit hospitals report in Q1

Hospital operators hoped the need for temporary nursing staff and heightened labor costs would ease alongside dwindling cases of the omicron variant, as they did during previous waves. That wasn't the case in the first quarter.

Biden admin suspends Georgia plan to let private sector run ACA marketplace

CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said the controversial plan would provide coverage to fewer people and no longer complies with federal law and other policies.

Air ambulance provider latest to sue over surprise billing ban

The central issue of the new lawsuit is the guidance the federal government has provided to third-party arbiters.

ACA-related coverage enrollment tops record at nearly 36M

The expansion of health coverage to more Americans reflects pandemic-related policy efforts, but some of those flexibilities are set to expire this year.

'Very false and misleading' criticisms over direct contracting stoked model controversy, stakeholders say

Political ire around direct contracting that came to a head earlier this year was rooted in a "real lack of understanding," one CEO of a physician group said at NAACOS' spring conference.

Thousands of Stanford nurses in California reach deal to end strike

Nurses voted on a tentative agreement Sunday and if they ratify the deal they will return to work Tuesday under new contracts, according to the union.

Updated May 2, 2022

Medicare Advantage plans denied some members needed care, OIG finds

The report calls for improved oversight of MA and urges the CMS to update audit protocols and issue new guidance on medical necessity reviews performed by the plans.

Bristol Myers wins FDA approval for first drug to treat inherited heart condition

Bristol Myers paid $13 billion to acquire the drug's maker, MyoKardia, and expects it to become a blockbuster. But a tricky dosing regimen, as well as safety concerns, could challenge the pharmaceutical giant's lofty forecast.

Stericycle reports challenging Q1, outlines path to recover from labor and inflation effects

As it saw a decline in pandemic-related waste, Stericycle experienced its most acute period of driver illnesses yet. The company also previewed a new medical waste facility and closed out a $90 million corruption settlement.

Teladoc records $6.6B impairment charge on Livongo acquisition, spurring record net loss

Teladoc bought chronic care giant Livongo for $18.5 billion two years ago, but the asset's waning value and external market factors triggered the multibillion-dollar goodwill impairment charge in the first quarter.

Updated April 28, 2022

CommonSpirit names new CEO, Wright Lassiter of Henry Ford Health

Wright Lassiter will succeed Lloyd Dean, who announced his intent to retire last year, setting off a nationwide executive search.

Molina's first-quarter COVID-19 costs reached highest peak since pandemic's start, CEO says

Still, those costs were almost entirely offset by members cutting back on healthcare visits, a common trend throughout the pandemic, CEO Joe Zubretsky said Thursday.

Moderna seeks FDA clearance for COVID-19 vaccine in young children

The biotech's shot would become the first available to children under 6, the last remaining age group currently ineligible for vaccination. 

ACLA, AdvaMed urge Congress to immediately replenish COVID-19 testing fund

The lab and medtech groups joined a coalition of more than 60 organizations warning congressional leaders the funding expiration puts the most vulnerable Americans at risk of losing resources to diagnose new infections.

Does telemedicine result in duplicative care? Depends on the patient, study suggests

Whether or not telehealth visits result in duplicative care — a hot topic on the Hill as Congress debates future telemedicine regulation — could depend on if users have acute or chronic conditions, according to new research.

Centene addresses 'challenges' in California's Medi-Cal Rx launch

The payer's CEO is addressing concerns around the implementation of the state's new Medicaid prescription drug program, following reports of members struggling to get access and approvals to needed medications.

Centene adds 2 executives to office of the CEO

The now five-person office will assist CEO Sarah London in setting policy and executing the company's enterprise agenda, London announced Tuesday on a call with investors. 

Employers are reevaluating health benefits amid tight labor market, survey finds

Improving affordability, providing virtual care and boosting mental health offerings will be top priorities for U.S. employers over the next two years, according to a Willis Towers Watson report.

Tenet says 'cybersecurity incident' disrupted hospital operations

Most critical functions have been restored following the incident last week, while affected facilities are starting to resume normal operations, according to the Texas-based operator.

UnitedHealth plans to sell Change's claims editing unit for $2.2B to aid merger

"I don't think UnitedHealth's offer to sell Change's claims payment business is going to move the competition thermometer one degree," said antitrust attorney David Balto.

Rising expenses at hospitals are unsustainable, AHA says

Hospital labor expenses per patient alone increased about 20% from 2019 to 2021, according to a new report from the hospital lobby.

Healthcare M&A slowed in Q1 amid economic concerns, omicron impact, KPMG says

Deals across the sector fell by a third in the period from the brisk pace at the end of last year as buyers weighed an economic slowdown, the Russian-Ukraine war and the impact of the omicron variant, according to the new report.