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Centene more than doubles Q2 profit amid pandemic

The results were aided by the COVID-19 crisis as medical use fell due to stay-at-home orders and patients delaying care, though the payer had slower enrollment gains as employers furlough workers instead of terminating them.

UHS posts $252M in income, helped by bailout funds, but withholds full-year guidance

The hospital operator, which rescinded its full-year earnings forecasts after an ominous first quarter, is continuing to withhold earnings guidance due to ongoing uncertainty as COVID-19 cases surge again in the U.S.

Mayo Clinic is U.S. News top hospital for 5th straight year

The data used for the rankings predates the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The publication said it "will initiate a dialogue" with hospitals on changes to its rankings or methodology for next year considering the crisis.

Deep Dive

6 months in: What will the new normal look like for hospitals?

Whether there is a nationwide second wave or smaller surges in regions at different times, hospitals will need to remain vigilant and in an effective state of emergency until there is a cure or vaccine for COVID-19.

Lifespan pays $1M to settle potential HIPAA violations over stolen laptop breach

HHS found "systemic noncompliance" with the privacy law and a lack of control over devices on this type of issue. The nonprofit health system contends there is no indication the information was accessed.

CMS to begin recouping COVID-19 Medicare loans

Hospital groups have pleaded with the Trump administration and Congress to forgive the loans, or relax repayment terms, with no relief so far.

COVID-19 public health emergency extended

Extending the emergency allows several regulatory changes meant to help providers manage outbreaks of the novel coronavirus to continue, including the rollback of telehealth restrictions and Medicare add-on payments.

Healthcare investment flowed freely in Q2, reaching $18B

Telehealth activity exploded, with 154 deals taking place in the second quarter — a 23% increase compared to the first quarter and a record number, according to a new report from CB Insights.

Coronavirus vaccines speed ahead, but experts fear not everyone will take them

Gaining trust will be a big task as public health officials gear up for one of the biggest immunization campaigns in decades. 

Skinny short-term plans deny coverage for pre-existing conditions: Commonwealth Fund

The analysis of more than 400 plans called junk by critics concluded few offer tangible benefits. The Trump administration backs short-term plans, arguing they're a low-cost alternative to broader coverage.

Opinion

Why COVID-19's biggest impact on healthcare may not be until 2022

This perfect storm of a shift in payer mix, the impending insolvency of Medicare and the inability of states to absorb the growing costs of Medicaid represent a tsunami of challenges, former VA Secretary David Shulkin writes.

Providers scramble for telehealth, pick Microsoft, Zoom and doxy.me in pandemic's early days

A little more than 80% of providers reported significant budget cuts in their organizations, but 74% of that group said they will invest more in technology moving forward, according to a recent Klas report.

M&A volume in health services for H1 was lowest since 2015, PwC finds

The subsector with the most deals in terms of volume was long-term care, continuing a trend since 2014, followed by other services, physician medical groups, hospitals and home health, according to the analysis.

Direct primary care backers hope COVID-19 entices docs to alternate payment model

Some practices using the model, where patients pay a flat fee with no insurance accepted, say their finances have been relatively unchanged since the start of the pandemic.

Walmart to expand health centers to Florida next year

The retail giant, which has been expanding its healthcare presence during the COVID-19 pandemic, also plans to open additional clinics in Georgia this year and is eyeing an expansion into Chicago.

UnitedHealthcare gets lowest grades in Leapfrog poll, average plan gets C+

The biggest commercial payer got the lowest satisfaction ratings on moving toward cost and quality and also the lowest GPA, the new survey of more than 170 employers found.

HCA volumes plunge as Q2 captures full effects of coronavirus

Despite the steep declines, the hospital operator still reported almost $1.1 billion in net income in the quarter, bolstered by a sizable amount of taxpayer dollars from bailout legislation.

As Congress weighs next COVID-19 relief bill, 4 healthcare sticking points

For one, hospitals want $100 billion more in federal aid, a figure endorsed by House Democrats but likely to be whittled down by Senate Republicans.

Hospitals facing depleted volumes beg for more funds, advanced Medicare loan forgiveness

About half of the country's hospitals could be operating on negative margins by the end of 2020, according to a new industry analysis funded by the American Hospital Association.

Coronavirus vaccine developers make case to Congress they can win public's trust

While developing a safe and effective vaccine remains the chief challenge, lawmakers grilled pharma officials on how any successful shot would be fairly priced and distributed.

Flooding in China disrupts medical, PPE suppliers. Shippers should expect delays

Extensive flooding in China is disrupting the flow of personal protective equipment and medical equipment into the U.S., with an expected economic impact of $12 billion.

California, 22 other AGs sue Trump admin over rolling back transgender protections

The coalition argues the pullback of Affordable Care Act protections related to how sex discrimination is determined during a global pandemic is particularly egregious. 

HHS reminds providers of civil rights obligations amid COVID-19 race disparities

The agency on Monday said it's seen an uptick in complaints since the pandemic began and issued guidance to ensure providers comply with federal civil rights laws.

As pandemic rages on, hip and knee surgeons lay out elective procedure guidance

An international group of orthopaedic experts recommended changes to hospital protocols to prevent transmission of COVID-19 when elective procedures are resumed.

Molina to acquire Kentucky's 2nd-largest Medicaid plan for $20M

The buy of regional player Passport Health is the latest in Molina's slow march of snapping up assets that fit into its core business of government-sponsored health plans.