Health services M&A holding steady despite economic headwinds

Deal volumes declined 4% in the year ended May 15 compared to 2022, according to a PwC report. But the consulting firm is “optimistic” about the sector’s M&A outlook for the rest of the year.

By Emily Olsen • June 23, 2023

State Medicaid spending fell below pre-pandemic levels during continuous enrollment

An analysis by KFF found state spending on Medicaid fell during the COVID-19 pandemic even as enrollment soared. But spending will likely increase as the federal government begins to pare back its increased contribution.

By Emily Olsen • June 21, 2023

SEIU accuses HCA of inappropriate patient transfers to hospice to boost profits, executive pay

HCA called the allegations “not serious” and “propaganda filled with misleading and absurd accusations that are not supported by facts” in a statement following the union report’s release.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated June 22, 2023

Oracle reportedly lays off hundreds of Cerner employees amid VA contract troubles

The layoffs, reported by Insider, come after the VA renegotiated its contract with Cerner over patient safety issues and follow massive job cuts from other tech giants this year.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 20, 2023

Cano CEO steps down after push from former board members

Prior to the leadership change, three former board members, who jointly own the largest stake in the company, accused the Florida-based chain of poor corporate governance and urged Cano to oust CEO Marlow Hernandez.

By Emily Olsen • June 20, 2023

Humana becomes second major payer to flag higher outpatient volumes in Q2

Pent-up demand for healthcare delayed during COVID-19 is making a reappearance, pressuring medical costs for health insurers that had a financial windfall during the pandemic.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 16, 2023

US health spending to surpass $7T by 2031, CMS actuaries say

The unwinding of the COVID-19 public health emergency and recent legislation are expected to influence health spending across the country’s major payers over the next decade.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 15, 2023

Large, geographically diverse insurers see ‘very stable’ operating performance

Payers including UnitedHealth, Elevance Health, Cigna and Humana are benefiting from strong market share that aids them in negotiations with providers, Fitch Ratings found.

By Emily Olsen • June 14, 2023

UnitedHealth expects higher medical costs in Q2 as delayed care makes comeback

The insurer expects its medical loss ratio in the second quarter to reach or exceed its full-year target. UnitedHealth’s stock, along with that of other major Medicare payers, fell in Wednesday morning trading as a result.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 14, 2023

Wage growth at nonprofit hospitals falls below 2022 highs, but remains elevated

Nonprofits continue to add to payrolls as wage growth remains elevated above pre-pandemic levels, forcing hospital systems to consider cost-saving measures to offset labor costs.

By Susanna Vogel • June 12, 2023

Walgreens sells remaining stake in Option Care Health for $330M

Walgreens said it will use the proceeds to pay down debt and support strategic priorities. Option Care is currently under an agreement to buy Amedisys, but Optum recently made a competing bid for the home care company.

By Emily Olsen • June 12, 2023

FTC urges North Carolina legislators to drop UNC Health antitrust exemption bill

The bill’s sponsor previously told local media that it could give the nonprofit, state-owned system the chance to save struggling rural hospitals.

By Emily Olsen • June 7, 2023

Nonprofit hospitals have decreased charity care spending even as operating profits, cash pools grow

The new study is the latest in a string of research suggesting nonprofit hospitals’ balance sheets benefit from the latitude they have regarding charity care spending.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 6, 2023

UnitedHealth’s Optum makes all-cash bid for Amedisys

The $100-per-share offer comes a month after the home health company agreed to a deal with Option Care Health, which was set to close in the second half of the year.

By Emily Olsen • June 6, 2023

Biden signs debt deal, clearing path for $27B in COVID-19 clawbacks

Some of the funding is healthcare-related, and major programs like Medicaid and Medicare emerged unscathed after weeks of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 5, 2023

BJC HealthCare, Saint Luke’s Health System merge

The Missouri-based health systems closed their merger on Monday, after announcing plans to create a $10 billion health system in May.

By Emily Olsen • Updated Jan. 2, 2024

Healthcare costs top $31,000 for family of 4 in 2023

After declining briefly in 2020, family healthcare costs are rising as the industry faces an uncertain macroeconomic environment.

By Emily Olsen • June 1, 2023

Medicaid changes, end of COVID emergency hampered hospital margins in April

Inflation and high expenses are placing a burden on hospitals as they recover from COVID-19 challenges. Hospital labor expenses rose 3% in April from March, according to Kaufman Hall.

By Brian T. Horowitz • June 1, 2023

Advocate Health reports 0.1% operating margin in inaugural Q1 earnings

The nonprofit giant formed in December barely made it into the black, after revenue of $7.54 billion squeaked past expenses of $7.53 billion.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • May 31, 2023

Kaiser pledges $10M to safety-net hospital to stem ‘unprecedented financial challenges’

Denver Health — the largest provider of care for uninsured people in the city — has struggled with rising costs and a surge in sicker patients.

By Sydney Halleman • May 31, 2023

Persistent expenses drove Ascension to $1.8B operating loss

Improving volumes, especially outpatient surgeries and emergency room visits, failed to outpace growing expenses in the nine-month period.

By Sydney Halleman • May 30, 2023

Healthcare provisions of the debt limit deal: COVID-19 funding clawbacks, no Medicaid work requirements

Congressional Republicans and the White House reached a deal over the weekend to raise the debt ceiling that includes healthcare policy wins for both sides of the aisle.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • May 30, 2023

Securing mergers and acquisitions in healthcare

Netskope’s Damian Chung outlines how healthcare organizations can avoid cyber risks when executing acquisitions or partnerships.

By Damian Chung • May 26, 2023

CVS could lose up to $1B next year from MA star ratings drop

Just 21% of CVS’ MA members are currently in plans with a star rating of at least four, down from 87% at the end of 2021, the payer disclosed.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • May 26, 2023

Walgreens laying off 10% of corporate workforce

The cuts, affecting more than 500 employees, come as the pharmacy chain expands in consumer-focused care delivery.

By Emily Olsen • May 26, 2023