Kaiser is 'absolutely' staying with ACA exchanges

Aetna and other insurance giants have recently announced they will be dropping out of some of the exchanges.

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 18, 2016

Medicare reimbursement data reveal gender wage gap

It was largest among physicians in nephrology ($16,689), rheumatology ($15,406), and pulmonary medicine ($11,018), a new analysis finds.

By Luke Gale • Aug. 17, 2016

Accolade Health snares $70M for concierge health service

The Menlo Park, CA-based firm will use the funds to expand its technology platform, R&D, and sales and marketing efforts.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 12, 2016

New HHS data suggest risk pools are stabilizing but insurers stay skeptical

A CMS official suggests a new rule could be coming to help strengthen the ACA markets.

By Meg Bryant & Jeff Byers • Aug. 12, 2016

Healthcare added 43,000 jobs in July, on pace to become biggest US industry

The sector has continued to trend up and outpace others in job creation with ambulatory services gaining 19,000 jobs while hospitals gained 17,000.

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 8, 2016

This may hurt a little: Readmission penalties expected to reach new record for hospitals

More than half a billion dollars in payments will be withheld from hospitals when the new penalties take effect in October.

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 3, 2016

Appeals court: Maryland health co-op must make $24M risk adjustment payment

The co-op is optimistic it will be able to settle the balance.

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 2, 2016

Consolidation in healthcare continues, but nontraditional alliances are also on the rise

More healthcare companies are looking to partner with organizations, rather than purchase them outright, an expert says.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 2, 2016

Alphabet is losing millions on 'Other Bets' but made $21B in Q2 overall

Revenue and losses were both up for Alphabet's "other bets" -- which includes its healthcare investments -- in its third consecutive quarter breaking out such data.

By Heather Caspi • Aug. 1, 2016

Hospice, rehab, skilled-nursing facilities to face payment changes under 2017 Medicare rates

Payments will increase and new quality measures will be adopted once CMS' final rules become effective on October 1. 

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 1, 2016

HCA Q2 earnings continue to grow, buoyed by admissions

The hospital giant adjusted its guidance for 2016, on lower-than-expected growth in the first half of the year.

By Meg Bryant • July 29, 2016

Anthem Q2 profits drop amid uncertain transaction with Cigna

The insurance giant is grappling with increased medical spending on top of its fight with the DOJ. The insurer's CEO said the pending Cigna acquisition "will help stabilize pricing" in the ACA market.

By Heather Caspi • July 28, 2016

How UnitedHealthcare is making a purchase offer this Colorado insurer can't refuse

In exchange for access and a presence in Colorado's Medicaid market, the payer is investing to stabilize Rocky Mountain Health Plans.

By Ana Mulero • July 26, 2016

HHS dedicates $36M to advance health IT adoption

Support to Health Center Controlled Networks will help boost the technology at more than 1,000 health centers around the U.S.

By Heather Caspi • July 25, 2016

Report finds high risk of harm in rehab hospitals

Nearly half of harmful incidents could have been prevented, a government report finds.

By Meg Bryant • July 22, 2016

As feds set to quash merger plans, Humana floats exit of most ACA exchanges in 2017

The decision comes as the health insurance giant reported better than anticipated second-quarter results for its individual Medicare Advantage and healthcare services businesses.

By Meg Bryant • July 22, 2016

HRSA to expand primary care workforce with $149M

The awards aim to train health professionals to better serve vulnerable populations.

By Heather Caspi • July 21, 2016

Report: Federal health IT spending spiked to $6.5B

Research firm Govini found CMS and HHS led expenditures from 2011 to 2015.

By Ana Mulero • July 21, 2016

UnitedHealth's profits grew 13% in Q2, despite $200M Obamacare losses

Strong growth was fueled by Optum, which saw revenues jump 51.5% to $20.6 billion during the quarter.

By Meg Bryant • July 20, 2016

Physicians see little change in compensation in recent years

Specialties with the biggest increases were emergency medicine; cardiac and thoracic surgery; cardiology and hypertension; and nephrology.                              

By Meg Bryant • July 20, 2016

Cerner carves out new revenue cycle leadership role

Jeff Hurst will join Cerner as senior vice president of revenue cycle management, after spending 19 years at Adventist Health System. 

By Meg Bryant • July 20, 2016

Healthcare job growth poses 'ultimate conundrum' for economy

The issues of healthcare spending and healthcare job growth pose hopelessly entwined, competing priorities.

By Heather Caspi • July 14, 2016

Evolent, Valence Health join forces in $145M deal

The deal will shape the companies' future impacts on the value-based care market.

By Heather Caspi • July 14, 2016

Potential Yale-New Haven, Lawrence + Memorial merger facing pushback from within

The proposed affiliation has support from city and labor officials but is facing pushback by hospital employees who fear patients could lose out on the deal.

By Meg Bryant • July 13, 2016

UPMC enlists IBM's Watson in new supply-chain venture

The pairing will help hospitals attack growing supply-chain costs — the second greatest healthcare expense behind labor for providers.

By Heather Caspi • July 11, 2016