Finances: Page 34


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    Hospitals need 'transformational changes' to stem margin erosion

    A combination of higher rate hikes, aggressive cost-cutting and M&A could help ailing nonprofits avoid negative rating actions, according to Fitch.

    By Susan Kelly • July 20, 2022
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    Dollar Photo Club
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    Lawmakers urge HHS to fine drugmakers restricting 340B drug discounts

    Currently, 18 drug manufacturers are limiting discounts dispensed through pharmacies that contract with 340B providers, according to a letter from bipartisan House members to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

    By July 18, 2022
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    UnitedHealth Group
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    UnitedHealth to offer some drugs, including insulin, at no cost share in 2023

    The new offering is a bid to address inflationary pressures and prevent worse health outcomes down the line, CEO Andrew Witty told investors Friday.

    By July 15, 2022
  • Megadeals lift healthcare M&A revenues to record in Q2

    Fewer but larger deals are becoming the norm in the hospital sector, according to Kaufman Hall's latest update on deal activity.

    By Susan Kelly • July 14, 2022
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    Digital health funding is cooling down

    This year’s trajectory suggests overall funding will fall significantly short of last year’s, as investor confidence is shaken by global conflict and inflation concerns, according to Rock Health reports.

    By July 12, 2022
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    CMS proposed payment rule includes major updates for ACOs

    Changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program would give some accountable care organizations more time to ramp up to performance-based risk and updated quality reporting.

    By July 8, 2022
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    Feds brokered record $5B in healthcare fraud cases last year

    Cases ranged from improper psychiatric treatment to providing false Medicare claims and illegal kickback schemes.

    By July 6, 2022
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    UHS lowers financial outlook on 'unfavorable' operating environment, making good on April warning

    UHS is not the first system to slash guidance this year citing adverse operating conditions, trailing peers HCA and CHS.

    By June 30, 2022
  • Health services M&A slowed in Q1, but rebound anticipated

    Private equity and corporate funding remains available and is driving competition for assets, especially for physician medical groups, home health organizations and long-term care facilities.

    By Susan Kelly • June 27, 2022
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    Karen Ducey via Getty Images
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    Inequities in healthcare cost nearly $320B annually, new research shows

    Spending due to inequities that drive late diagnoses and comorbidities is only expected to rise over the next few decades without intervention, according to research from Deloitte.

    By Hailey Mensik • June 22, 2022
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    Finances of older Americans being dinged by high health costs, survey finds

    It’s the latest picture of how exorbitant healthcare costs in the U.S. are increasingly impacting the financial stability of Americans, especially older adults.

    By June 15, 2022
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    CMS
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    Most Medicare Advantage enrollees like their plans, survey finds

    As the program has soared in popularity, it has attracted the attention of federal investigators, including an HHS OIG report finding inappropriate prior authorization and claims denials.

    By Susan Kelly • June 14, 2022
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    Deep Dive

    Despite rosier trust fund outlook, time running out to stabilize Medicare funding, researchers warn

    Though it’s tempting to interpret the recent Medicare trustees report as good news, academics are arguing lawmakers can’t wait until hospital trust fund insolvency is imminent before taking action to bolster the program.

    By June 13, 2022
  • Oracle closes $28B buy of 'huge growth engine' Cerner

    With the deal’s close, the days of standalone EHR vendors are increasingly in the rearview mirror.

    By June 8, 2022
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    Carol Highsmith. (2005). "Apex Bldg." [Photo]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    FTC launches investigation into PBMs; CVS, UnitedHealth, Cigna and more hit with requests for data

    Pharmacy groups cheered the news, which reversed a vote earlier this year by FTC commissioners not to investigate PBMs' pricing and contractual practices.

    By June 7, 2022
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    Courtesy of Teladoc
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    Teladoc hit with class-action suit alleging it misled investors

    The complaint accuses the company, along with CEO Jason Gorevic and CFO Mala Murphy, of downplaying competition that stifled growth in Teladoc's mental health and chronic care businesses.

    By June 6, 2022
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    Payers to return $1B to enrollees after record years of rebates, KFF says

    The amount reflects the third-straight year of large insurer rebates as payers experienced high profits from the COVID-19 pandemic.

    By June 3, 2022
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    Trustees' report shows additional breathing room for Medicare solvency, though concerns remain

    Stronger-than-expected economic recovery from COVID-19 pushed back Medicare's go-broke date by two years, though budget hawks are warning the sunnier outlook might rely on outdated assumptions.

    By June 3, 2022
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    Steep expenses, falling patient volumes stifled hospitals in April

    Kaufman Hall's new findings reverse trends from March, when hospitals posted a modest rise in patient volumes and temporary expense reliefs.

    By June 1, 2022
  • PBM practices are keeping consumers from generics savings, white paper finds

    Consumers are overpaying for generic drug prescriptions by as much as 20% due to pharmacy benefit manager practices like copay clawbacks and spread pricing, researchers found.

    By June 1, 2022
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    Cleveland Clinic, scrambling to staff hospitals, posts Q1 loss

    The academic medical giant is paying higher employee wages and hiring more agency nurses and other temporary personnel to cope with a nationwide shortage of healthcare workers.

    By Susan Kelly • May 31, 2022
  • Change shares peek at 2023 as UnitedHealth merger trial looms

    The data analytics company highlighted its momentum heading into the next fiscal year, outlining what 2023 could look like if its controversial $13 billion merger with UnitedHealth falls through.

    By May 31, 2022
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    Megan Quinn/Healthcare Dive
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    Healthcare spending could drop $11.4B next year if ACA premium subsidies expire, research finds

    The looming coverage cliff would also hit providers financially, according to a new report. President Joe Biden has pushed Congress to extend the more generous financial aid provided by the American Rescue Plan.

    By May 26, 2022
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    AHA urges DOJ to probe Medicare Advantage plans that deny care

    The hospital lobby is pushing the Justice Department to punish Medicare Advantage organizations that routinely deny coverage to beneficiaries.

    By Susan Kelly • May 23, 2022
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    Hospitals charge employer health plans more than 2 times what they charge Medicare for same services

    Rand researchers also found wide price variations across states. Florida, West Virginia and South Carolina had relative prices at or above 310% of Medicare prices, according to the report.

    By Hailey Mensik • May 18, 2022