Finance
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Nonprofit hospitals on solid footing to handle outside disruption, S&P says
The sector has been "heavily resilient," mostly due to strong management and governance over the past 20 years, according to a new report.
By Rebecca Pifer • May 15, 2019 -
In US-China tariff poker game, health supply chains stand to lose
Tariffs on medical equipment and supplies, plus duties on imported steel and aluminum, could result in millions of increased costs for the healthcare industry and U.S. patients.
By Barry Hochfelder • May 15, 2019 -
UPMC revenue, expenses up in Q1
The Pittsburgh-based nonprofit pulled in $257 million from investment and financing gains but continues to struggle with shrinking margins.
By Tony Abraham • May 06, 2019 -
CVS exec: 'We don't discount Amazon'
Big insurers are wary of the e-commerce giant, but say they haven't closed the door on any potential collaboration.
By Rebecca Pifer • May 03, 2019 -
People spend less, use fewer services with consumer-directed health plans, study shows
A separate survey found that four in 10 people with employer-sponsored health coverage had trouble paying medical bills, premiums or out-of-pocket costs.
By Meg Bryant • May 03, 2019 -
Humana beats Q1 expectations as MA growth continues
CEO Bruce Broussard on Wednesday became the latest payer chief to speak out against "Medicare for All" type plans and highlighted the threat they pose to the Medicare Advantage market.
By Tony Abraham • May 01, 2019 -
Teladoc revenue hits $128M in Q1, visits up 75%
The virtual care provider exceeded the 1 million visit threshold for the first time this quarter, CEO Jason Gorevic told investors.
By Meg Bryant • May 01, 2019 -
Tenet slows bleeding volumes in Q1 beat, Conifer sale lingers
The Dallas-based hospital operator cut net losses and posted improved admissions on a same-facility basis, but revenue still slipped due to divestitures and struggling subsidiary Conifer.
By Tony Abraham • April 30, 2019 -
HCA beats revenue estimates, logs 20th straight quarter of admissions growth
The chain is coming off its $1.5 billion purchase of Mission Health. Executives told investors Tuesday they are pleased with how the integration is going and Mission's "performance is on plan at this point."
By Shannon Muchmore , Tony Abraham • April 30, 2019 -
Centene-WellCare megadeal hikes M&A value, but total volume falls: PwC
Still, the consultancy predicts a rebound, citing sustained pressure to contain costs, available capital and other factors.
By Les Masterson • April 29, 2019 -
UHS sees net income, revenue gains in Q1
The hospital operator narrowly missed analysts' expectations. Shares were down roughly 5% after the company's earnings call Friday morning.
By Tony Abraham • April 26, 2019 -
Cerner hits Q1 expectations despite bookings drop
"We are doing too many things and we believe we can do better if we target our attention on areas that represent the largest and most profitable growth opportunities," CFO Marc Naughton said about the EHR vendor's new focus.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 26, 2019 -
Health system M&A recedes slightly in first quarter of 2019
Total revenue for the transactions, however, was down sharply — at nearly $5 billion from $12.7 billion the year prior, according to consultancy Kaufman Hall.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 24, 2019 -
Half of middle-income seniors won't be able to afford healthcare, housing in a decade
Over the next decade, 60% of seniors will have mobility limitations and 20% will have high healthcare needs, according to a new study published in Health Affairs. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 24, 2019 -
Private equity deals set record in healthcare sector
Deal value also spiked to record levels, reaching a total disclosed sum of $63.1 billion, the highest on record since 2006, according to a report from consulting firm Bain & Company.
By Samantha Liss • April 18, 2019 -
Chronic illnesses will play even bigger role in healthcare in coming years
Conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, obesity and cancer cost more than $1 trillion annually.
By Les Masterson • April 17, 2019 -
Hospital M&A hits lowest point in nearly a decade
A new report from Ponder & Co. posits the slowdown is due in part to the decelerated pace of for-profit divestitures following the frenzied activity of 2017 and 2018.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 17, 2019 -
Digital health investment interest strong, but could be in for slowdown
Of the more than 250 healthcare sector respondents to a recent Venrock survey, 36% said capital markets will become more difficult for early-stage health IT startups and 16% predicted fundraising will be tougher at all stages.
By Meg Bryant • April 15, 2019 -
Better quality, lower costs when providers and payers share risk
Integrated Healthcare Association's review of California care found that capitation is connected with better healthcare quality.
By Les Masterson • April 15, 2019 -
Safety net hospitals near 'breaking point,' advocacy group says
America's Essential Hospitals said safety net facilities saw their average margin cut in half in 2017.
By Les Masterson • April 12, 2019 -
Atrium, Wake Forest start merger talks for $13B system
The combination of nonprofit Atrium and the Winston-Salem-based academic medical center would create an organization with nearly $13 billion in annual revenue, almost 50 hospitals and about 1,300 additional care locations.
By Tony Abraham • April 11, 2019 -
Pact with activist investor sends Cerner stock soaring
The EHR vendor has agreed to make changes suggested by hedge fund Starboard Value that include new board appointments and an expanded buyback program.
By Tony Abraham • April 10, 2019 -
Healthcare administrative costs will tally nearly $500B this year
The price tag includes $158 billion in private insurance overhead, $56 billion for public insurance program administration and $282 billion for providers' billing and insurance-related costs, according to the Center for American Progress.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 09, 2019 -
Emergency department visits rose, but misuse fell in 2016
Wait times improved, according to the CDC data. Nearly 40% of patients had wait times of less than 15 minutes and 72% waited less than an hour.
By Les Masterson • April 08, 2019 -
New York, Connecticut health systems merge to form $2.4B provider
The new system, called Nuvance Health, will serve an estimated 1.5 million people over seven hospitals in the western Connecticut and Hudson Valley areas.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 04, 2019
