San Francisco patient-dumping incident costs Nevada $400,000

San Francisco filed a lawsuit claiming a Las Vegas hospital bused patients with mental health issues to the Bay area without care plans. 

By Nina Flanagan • Oct. 8, 2015

Study finds complex patients tend to switch out of Medicare Advantage

The results and responses raise questions about Medicare Advantage serving patients with complex care needs. 

By Nina Flanagan • Oct. 8, 2015

Out-of-network charges average 300% more than Medicare rates, AHIP finds

Analysis finds some out-of-network treatments 1,400% higher than Medicare reimbursements but certain industry experts aren't buying it.

By Nina Flanagan • Oct. 6, 2015

Medicare and Medicaid lead federal improper payments, GAO finds

The increase in improper spending is on an unsustainable course, experts say.

By Heather Caspi • Oct. 5, 2015

GAO: Value-based purchasing having little impact at 3-year mark

The CMS and GAO suggest further change could take place with more time.

By Heather Caspi • Oct. 5, 2015

Anthem CEO not anticipating divestitures with Cigna purchase

CEO Joe Swedish is expressing optimism as he seeks to close the proposed deal.

By Heather Caspi • Oct. 2, 2015

Report finds health prices not tied to use

Health Care Cost Institute analysis finds some markets have both high prices and use, among other findings.

By Jeff Byers • Oct. 1, 2015

U.S. suiting up to battle national heroin epidemic

Heroin is costing the healthcare industry billions of dollars. Can it be stopped? 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 28, 2015

Health systems project increase in capital spending

Stability surrounding the ACA is one factor driving the trend, reports Fitch Ratings.

By Heather Caspi • Sept. 25, 2015

Employee insurance deductibles rising faster than earnings

A Kaiser survey shows such deductibles have risen six times faster than earnings since 2010. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 24, 2015

Aetna, Anthem say megamergers will benefit consumers, maintain competition

Insurance CEOs assure Senate subcommittee mergers won't affect the market. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 24, 2015

Surviving the rural hospital closing challenge

Rural hospital closings have a wider impact on communities than you think. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 23, 2015

CDC estimates 47% Americans received flu shot last season

The flu causes thousands of hospitalizations and deaths every year. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 22, 2015

UK report: 32% of those born in 2015 will develop dementia

Report emphasizes need for more Alzheimer's funding.  

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 22, 2015

Survey shows U.S. obesity rates hold strong

Adult obesity rates stayed the same in 2014 in most states. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 22, 2015

Virginia hospitals push for alternative to Medicaid expansion

Call it whatever you want, but find a solution, hospital officials say.

By Heather Caspi • Sept. 18, 2015

Medicare Advantage enrollment hits close to 18M members

CMS data show program enrollment up by 7.3% since 2014.

By Jeff Byers • Sept. 17, 2015

U.S. Census: Uninsured Americans down 13.3% from 2013

Federal data show people without health insurance for the entire 2014 calendar year was 10.4%.

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 17, 2015

Feds firm on out-of-pocket limits

Limits establish how much out-of-pocket expenses employers with high-deductible plans can require employees to pay. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 17, 2015

Stalled tax plan leaves California with $1.1B Medi-Cal shortage

The Legislature failed to pass Gov. Brown's broad tax on health plans. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 15, 2015

Incarceration impacts healthcare economics

More former inmates in an area can result in increased uncompensated care and other issues, says a new Penn study.

By Heather Caspi • Sept. 14, 2015

Survey says healthcare costs stunt US entrepreneurship

The cost of healthcare in the US has ramifications beyond those related to health, a new survey suggests.

By Heather Caspi • Sept. 11, 2015

University of Utah Health Care thanks software for keeping costs down

A computer program that tracks costs and outcomes is cutting excess expenses. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 10, 2015

300,000 dropped health coverage since March

Premiums were obtained via HealthCare.gov and state exchanges. 

By Nina Flanagan • Sept. 10, 2015

Healthcare adds 40,000 jobs in August

The growth in the sector accounted for nearly a quarter of all new US jobs.

By Randy Lilleston • Sept. 9, 2015