September mixed bag for hospital performance

The October national hospital report from Kaufman Hall shows inpatient institutions are performing well compared to a year ago but down on a month-over-month basis.

By Ron Shinkman • Nov. 4, 2019

HLTH19: Telehealth seeks to move beyond flu, but stymied by regulations

"I think we're past the tipping point of where virtual care becomes expected or embedded," Teladoc COO David Sides said at the conference. "I don't think you can put the genie back in the bottle."

By Rebecca Pifer • Nov. 1, 2019

Cigna ups guidance after Q3 beat, boosted by Express Scripts

The payer generated adjusted revenue of $35.8 billion for the quarter, more than three times from a year earlier, thanks to the $67 billion acquisition of the pharmacy benefit manager completed in December.

By Samantha Liss • Oct. 31, 2019

Teladoc revenues, visits rise on heels of UnitedHealth contract

The virtual health company had the greatest population expansion in its history in the third quarter and now expects total U.S. paid membership to be about 35 million for the full year.

By Linda Wilson • Oct. 31, 2019

CHS cuts guidance as revenue falls, stock drops sharply

The struggling hospital chain needs to show it can translate its admissions growth into improved earnings and cash flows, Jefferies analyst Brian Tanquilut told Healthcare Dive.

By Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 30, 2019

Mastercard launches new healthcare unit on billing, data security

New products include predictive analytics built into a health system's billing platform, allowing the provider to personalize patient payment plans, and AI tech to detect suspicious claims activity and fraud.

By Rebecca Pifer • Oct. 27, 2019

Cerner reports mixed Q3 earnings amid 'eventful' quarter

Revenue of $1.43 billion, up almost 7% year over year, was in line with Wall Street expectations, although the Kansas City-based EHR company slightly missed earnings estimates.

By Rebecca Pifer • Oct. 24, 2019

1/3 of US payments used alternative models last year, but progress stagnant

Medicare Advantage plans had the highest percentage of total payments tied to APMs, followed by traditional Medicare, commercial payers and Medicaid, a study from a private-public partnership found.

By Linda Wilson • Oct. 24, 2019

Health system margins rebounded last year but trail 2015 levels

A drop in average operating margins from 2015 to 2017 was attributed to value-based contracts with commercial payers, a higher percentage of patients with government plans and rising claims denials, according to a Navigant report.

By Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 23, 2019

Investment income plays important role for nonprofit hospitals, Fitch says

Portfolios can be vital to cushioning hospitals from unforeseen operating challenges, according to a new report from the ratings agency.

By Samantha Liss • Oct. 17, 2019

Hospital M&A for 2019 slightly above last year's pace

The third quarter featured 25 announced transactions valued at $8.14 billion, lagging behind the second quarter's near-record of $11.3 billion, according to a new report from Kaufman Hall.

By Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 16, 2019

Medicare, Medicaid hospital payment cuts to hit $252.6B, industry study finds

"Hospitals are nearing the tipping point we have predicted for so long," Chip Kahn, CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals, said of the report commissioned by his group and AHA.

By Linda Wilson • Oct. 16, 2019

UnitedHealth boasts $60B revenue in Q3, buoyed by Optum

The massive healthcare company kicked off managed care organizations' earnings season Tuesday by handily beating Wall Street expectations.

By Rebecca Pifer • Oct. 15, 2019

California bill to end excessive dialysis profits becomes law

Fresenius said it's concerned the new law will result in patients only being able to access care at hospitals due to lack of insurance coverage.

By Susan Kelly • Oct. 15, 2019

Providers mostly applaud CMS over fee schedule, but some specialists fear cuts

Though lobbying groups lauded the agency for walking back a controversial E/M proposal, psychologists predicted a "mass exodus" of those who treat Medicare beneficiaries.

By Samantha Liss • Oct. 1, 2019

Worker health insurance costs surpass wage growth, survey finds

"This survey underscores for me why for most Americans the issue is affordability much more than it is expanding coverage. And it really is just math," Kaiser Family Foundation CEO Drew Altman said of the results.

By Linda Wilson • Sept. 26, 2019

Healthcare job growth continues, but pace slows

Ambulatory care saw the biggest job gains, while nursing care facilities, residential mental health facilities and offices of non-physician healthcare practitioners saw slight seasonally adjusted drop-offs.

By Ron Shinkman • Sept. 9, 2019

Multiple sclerosis drug costs skyrocketed for Medicare and patients, study finds

Out-of-pocket spending on MS medications increased by more than 600% in the decade from 2006 to 2016, while the typical list price quadrupled.

By Andrew Dunn • Aug. 27, 2019

Finance essentials: Capital options for growing medical practices

There are several financial options available to expand your ability to provide the best patient care. It’s time to give your practice a financial wellness checkup and decide the best options for you.  

Aug. 27, 2019

Oklahoma judge orders J&J pay $572M in landmark opioid case

"We ask the judge to ensure that needed funds are directed to the hospitals and health systems that are on the forefront of caring for the victims of this epidemic," AHA said in a joint statement with the Oklahoma Hospital Association. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Aug. 26, 2019

Mayo Clinic profits almost triple in the quarter to $500M

The Rochester, Minnesota-based health system had revenue of $3.4 billion in the second quarter of the year, up almost 10% year-over-year due to growth in several markets including Rochester, Phoenix and Jacksonville.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 26, 2019

Advocate Aurora posts bump in expenses tied to early retirement incentives

The system has shifted focus to more lucrative outpatient visits in an attempt to recoup volume, a strategy that seems to be paying off with the increase in patient revenue.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 23, 2019

Big health plans pledge to look beyond shareholders. Critics aren't so sure

Skeptics call the letter from the Business Roundtable a political stunt in lieu of concrete action. Kaiser Permanente chose not to sign, citing its not-for-profit status.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 19, 2019

Allscripts reaches $145M settlement with DOJ over subsidiary business practices

The Chicago-based health IT vendor reported a $145 million charge to settle claims that its Practice Fusion unit falsified EHR certification and violated anti-kickback laws.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 9, 2019

CVS handily beats estimates, hikes 2019 forecast

The tailwinds helping the chain in the first quarter kept blowing in the second, generating revenue of $63.4 billion largely due to the Aetna acquisition.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 7, 2019