Finances: Page 137
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Online ER appointments gain popularity
...but do they encourage inappropriate ER utilization? Online appointments may add to consumer convenience, but do they reduce costs?
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 7, 2014 -
VA's chief medical inspector is out
Heads keep rolling at the VA, as another higher-up resigns after a scathing report that his office downplayed whistleblower complaints. What comes next?
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 7, 2014 -
California's huge Medi-Cal backlog stalls expansion
Nearly 1 million Californians are waiting for the state to process Medi-Cal cards for them. Where are they heading for care in the meantime?
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 3, 2014 -
Deep Dive
How the ultra-narrow NH network impacted excluded hospitals
Twelve of New Hampshire's 26 acute-care hospitals aren't in the lone exchange carrier's network this year. Here's why this year's network exclusion riled them, and how 2015 is shaping up.
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 3, 2014 -
Home health may see Medicare payment cuts, value-based payment
The proposed rule could result in a $485-million payment decrease for home health agencies.
By Anne Zieger • July 3, 2014 -
Indiana hospitals urge swift CMS approval on coverage expansion
Indiana's hospitals are gung ho about getting the governor's Medicaid alternative plan up and running, but others have concerns about Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0.
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 3, 2014 -
Strong Q2 expected for publicly-traded hospitals
Reform and Medicaid expansion—and a break in the winter weather—are likely to have a big impact on hospitals' bottom lines.
By Katie Bo Williams • July 2, 2014 -
Two large Georgia systems announce partnership
The agreement is not a merger, but still aims to improve patient health through economies of scale. How popular is this kind of deal?
By Katie Bo Williams • July 2, 2014 -
Why is healthcare spending going down?
The 1.4% drop in the first quarter was large enough to shrink the nation's overall GDP.
By Anne Zieger • July 2, 2014 -
SC limits patient health record copy cost
Outdated laws mean one woman was charged almost $4,000 for a digital copy of her father's record. Is legislation catching up with the market?
By Katie Bo Williams • July 2, 2014 -
NIH taps six clinical sites for 'undiagnosed diseases' network
The initiative is well-funded and expertly-staffed, but will make a difference to ailing patients?
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 2, 2014 -
Survey: Nurses are stressed out and over-burdened
Not only do patients suffer from burned-out nurses, but providers do as well. So how do hospitals calm things down?
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 1, 2014 -
Only filling four beds: Tiny Ohio hospital decides to close
To better serve community needs, the provider is shifting to outpatient services instead. Is this the future of small community hospitals?
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 1, 2014 -
Deep Dive
6 types of hospital M&A structures execs need to know
Not all M&A deals are created equal, and several new kinds of "hybrid" transactions are emerging.
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 1, 2014 -
Medicare expands bundled payments
Does bundling payments for care episodes work better than traditional Medicare financing? CMS wants to know.
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 1, 2014 -
Study: Hospitals saved 10% per admission with advanced EHRs
...but is the study concrete evidence of a positive return on investment for EHR implementation?
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 1, 2014 -
Geisinger finds better way to manage diabetes care
Most of the risk reduction occurred in the first year of the new system, suggesting that this kind of effort to improve quality of care can work quickly.
By Judy Packer-Tursman • July 1, 2014 -
Consultant: Hospitals need swift action on unions
The number of unionized hospital workers is growing, and an industry consultant said hospitals must be prepared in the face of union activity.
By Judy Packer-Tursman • June 30, 2014 -
New statewide health organization forming in Arizona
University of Arizona entities and Banner Health are embarking on a clinical and academic partnership. Will the agreement improve the finances of the struggling UA Health System?
By Judy Packer-Tursman • June 27, 2014 -
Tenet, TriWest partner on veterans' care
One VA doctor argues that while more private options represent a modest step forward, wholesale change to the VA healthcare system is still needed.
By Judy Packer-Tursman • June 27, 2014 -
Highmark, UPMC agree to state-brokered end of contract
The agreement puts an end to years of feuding, but some, including Highmark members losing in-network access to UPMC hospitals, are not pleased.
By Judy Packer-Tursman • June 26, 2014 -
The most expensive drug shortage in history is still going
Almost every patient on every floor of every hospital requires IV saline. What can hospitals do to cope with low supplies and skyrocketing costs?
By Judy Packer-Tursman • June 26, 2014 -
Deep Dive
By the numbers: 2015 exchange premium hikes aren't that bad
Early numbers are trickling in and so far, increases could be worse — but stay tuned through the summer as high-population states release rates.
By Katie Bo Williams • June 26, 2014 -
Need for improved psychiatric services rises
With a U.S. mental health system badly in need of help, what comes next?
By Judy Packer-Tursman • June 26, 2014 -
Survey finds newly insured are relatively sicker
A new Gallup poll says newly-insured Americans are sicker than anticipated. What does it mean for the healthcare delivery system?
By Judy Packer-Tursman • June 25, 2014
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