Labor costs unlikely to wind down soon, for-profit hospitals report in Q1

Hospital operators hoped the need for temporary nursing staff and heightened labor costs would ease alongside dwindling cases of the omicron variant, as they did during previous waves. That wasn't the case in the first quarter.

By Hailey Mensik • May 2, 2022

Stericycle reports challenging Q1, outlines path to recover from labor and inflation effects

As it saw a decline in pandemic-related waste, Stericycle experienced its most acute period of driver illnesses yet. The company also previewed a new medical waste facility and closed out a $90 million corruption settlement.

By Megan Quinn • April 29, 2022

Teladoc records $6.6B impairment charge on Livongo acquisition, spurring record net loss

Teladoc bought chronic care giant Livongo for $18.5 billion two years ago, but the asset's waning value and external market factors triggered the multibillion-dollar goodwill impairment charge in the first quarter.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated April 28, 2022

Healthcare M&A slowed in Q1 amid economic concerns, omicron impact, KPMG says

Deals across the sector fell by a third in the period from the brisk pace at the end of last year as buyers weighed an economic slowdown, the Russian-Ukraine war and the impact of the omicron variant, according to the new report.

By Susan Kelly • April 26, 2022

HCA lowers expectations for the year, citing ongoing labor challenges

Heightened spending on salaries and benefits is primarily related to the ongoing use of contract labor, though the system is also adjusting wages to stay competitive, CEO Sam Hazen said on a Friday call with investors.

By Hailey Mensik • April 22, 2022

DOJ cracks down on 'largest and most wide-ranging' COVID-19 fraud

Defendants — including doctors, medical business executives and fake vaccination card manufacturers — caused nearly $150 million in false billings to federal programs, the DOJ alleged.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 21, 2022

Drug price hikes moderate as rebates rise, report finds

List prices for branded medicines rose by nearly 5% last year, according to Iqvia, a figure that fell to 1% after accounting for rebates and discounts.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 21, 2022

Larger, less profitable hospitals more likely to have ownership change

In data released for the first time Wednesday, HHS also found changes in ownership over the past six years have been much more common in nursing homes than hospitals, with wide variations in ownership by state.

By Hailey Mensik • April 20, 2022

Hospitals blast 'unacceptable' inpatient payment bump

Despite the 3.2% overall hike, the AHA argued that net payments to hospitals may decrease due to cuts in other areas, including uncompensated care.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 19, 2022

Bright Health exits 6 states amid financial, operational woes

Bright, which went public in June last year, wants to refocus on growth in markets where it can have a bigger impact. The seven-year-old startup lost almost $1.2 billion in 2021.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 18, 2022

Global digital health funding reaches 6-quarter low, at $10.4B

Even as the pandemic continues, digital health funding slowed significantly in the first quarter of 2022, according to new data from CB Insights.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 14, 2022

UnitedHealth expects to 'successfully overcome' DOJ challenge to Change acquisition

The company is bullish on completing its controversial acquisition of data analytics firm Change Healthcare, despite legal action from the Department of Justice to block the deal.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 14, 2022

HHS to request provider data on billing practices under new White House plan to ease medical debt

The department will use this information in grant determinations, and to shape data and policy recommendations to the public. It will also share potential violations with enforcement agencies.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 12, 2022

Surprise medical bills rank as public's second-highest financial worry, survey finds

While 58% of the public said they're worried about being able to afford surprise bills, the majority of people with private insurance stated they knew nothing about the consumer protection law that went into effect in January.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 31, 2022

Hospitals bet big on venture capital amid COVID-19 revenue flux

Hospitals are increasingly acting as venture capitalists, ratcheting up investments in companies with products they can use and scale, according to a data analysis of hospital VC arms conducted by Healthcare Dive.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 30, 2022

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic

Hospitals overhauled their operations in COVID-19's early days. Now, two years into the pandemic, they are looking ahead at the future of their business, including revenue diversification and workforce stability.

March 29, 2022

US health spending growth decelerated in pandemic's second year

According to new numbers from the CMS, national health spending grew 4.2% last year to almost $4.3 trillion, a significant slowdown from the 9.7% growth rate in 2020.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 29, 2022

Hospitals saw negative operating margins in February for second consecutive month

Even as cases of the omicron variant plummet, the metrics indicate a "challenging recovery," according to Kaufman Hall's monthly report.

By Hailey Mensik • March 28, 2022

Advocate Aurora's 2021 income, revenue rebound as patients return

The boost in non-COVID-19 patient services helped the 26-hospital Midwestern system offset rising labor and supply costs.

By Susan Kelly • March 22, 2022

Negative effects of rural hospital closings go beyond health, study finds

When a hospital closes in a rural community, the effects often ripple through the local economy, reducing the size of the population, labor force and possibly county income, new research suggests.

By Susan Kelly • March 21, 2022

Third of nurses plan to quit their jobs by end of 2022, survey shows

Nurses cited burnout and high-stress work environments as the No. 1 reason for leaving their jobs, followed by pay and benefits, according to a survey from staffing firm Incredible Health.

By Hailey Mensik • March 16, 2022

Providence operating loss more than doubled in 2021 as nurse shortage spurred higher labor costs

Providers are seeing expenses tied to salaries and benefits accelerate due to staffing shortages exacerbated by COVID-19. 

By Samantha Liss • March 10, 2022

Anesthesiology practices get paid more when backed by private equity, study finds

Staffing firms appeared to negotiate significantly higher prices for anesthesia services, the study authors concluded, raising concerns that such price inflation could lead to higher insurance premiums and patient cost-sharing.

By Susan Kelly • March 2, 2022

Hospital margins plummeted in January amid omicron

Providers and patients again delayed non-emergent care, either to mitigate the spread of the virus or preserve resources for patients with more urgent needs, according to Kaufman Hall.

By Hailey Mensik • March 1, 2022

Mayo Clinic's 2021 operating income climbs to $1.2B

In reporting its annual results, Mayo Clinic also said it is giving eligible staff members a 4% minimum salary increase in 2022.

By Susan Kelly • March 1, 2022