5 key takeaways from hospitals' Q2 results

Earnings were mixed for hospital operators in the second quarter, with winners and losers beginning to emerge amid industry uncertainty. 

By Tony Abraham , Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Aug. 15, 2018

Global EHR market on track to top $39B by 2022

Among the factors driving growth are system upgrades and vendor switches, according to a new Kalorama Research report.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 14, 2018

Nearly 20% of inpatient admissions include out-of-network charge

A Kaiser Family Foundation report found the issue of surprise billing is especially problematic for care in ERs and for psychological or substance abuse treatment.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 14, 2018

Icahn raises white flag in Cigna-Express Scripts tiff

Activist investor Carl Icahn has relinquished his fight to block Cigna's acquisition of Express Scripts after two high-profile advisory firms backed the deal.

By Tony Abraham • Aug. 14, 2018

AHA continues to push HHS on Medicare billing backlog

AHA and three member hospitals are suing the agency and in the latest court filing suggested methods for reaching a court-ordered 2020 deadline for getting through the claims.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 14, 2018

Quorum eyes up to $215M from asset sales as net loss grows

The Brentwood, Tennessee-based company's operating revenue declined 9% to $959.9 million in H1 2018.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 10, 2018

More than 20% of Americans skip medical care due to cost, survey finds

More than half of respondents said they are very or somewhat concerned that they may not have affordable health insurance in the future.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 10, 2018

Cigna wins Texas underpaid claims lawsuit

North Cypress Medical Center charged that the payer owed $50 million in unpaid claims, but Cigna said the hospitals's fee-forgiving policy for out-of-network care is illegal.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 10, 2018

Scripps net income takes huge hit despite strong revenue growth

The San Diego-based nonprofit said operating revenue growth was fueled by gains in patient volumes, outpatient visits and larger provider fee revenue.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 9, 2018

AMA charges CVS-Aetna deal would reduce competition

The analysis came as Bloomberg reported that the Justice Department won't oppose the merger based on vertical competition issues, although it may still be looking at how it will affect the pharmacy market.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 9, 2018

Academic medical centers lag behind other facilities for cost, quality

Despite improvements on some metrics, AMCs still face more Medicare value-based program penalties, according to a Navigant report.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 9, 2018

Small company employees with high-deductible plans get less help with out-of-pocket costs

More than three-fourths of HDHP members in small companies don't have an employer-funded account, according to a study from researchers at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 8, 2018

5 takeaways from payer Q2 earnings reports

Health insurers found success in Medicare, Medicaid and even the ACA exchanges.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 8, 2018

Cigna claps back at Icahn in defense of Express Scripts acquisition

In a lengthy letter to shareholders, Cigna claims activist investor Carl Icahn's disapproval of its pending deal with Express Scripts is "misguided and short-sighted." Shareholders will vote on the deal Aug. 24.

By Tony Abraham • Aug. 8, 2018

Fitch brightens its view on nonprofit hospitals

More than a quarter of facilities got upgrades in the latest review of issuers.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 8, 2018

Tenet beats expectations despite dip in admissions, revenue

The Dallas-based hospital operator reported a decrease in net operating revenues and admissions for Q2 but posted increases in net patient revenues and ambulatory segment revenue.

By Tony Abraham • Aug. 7, 2018

Icahn blasts Cigna-Express Scripts deal as among 'worst acquisitions in corporate history'

The activist investor warned that PBMs are under a political microscope too risky for Cigna investors, also citing risks from Amazon. Shareholders vote on the deal Aug. 24.

By David Lim • Aug. 7, 2018

Kaiser Permanente's Q2 revenue growth driven by higher premiums, new members

The Oakland-based health system also saw a 47% decrease in operating revenue that it blamed on a new accounting standard.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 7, 2018

Hospital-employed PAs earn more, see more leadership options, report finds

The American Academy of Physician Assistants' new salary study showed that overall median base salary increased from $102,000 in 2016 to $105,000 in 2017.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 6, 2018

Drugs make up more US health spending than thought, report suggests

Research published in Health Affairs found that drugs accounted for 15% of the country's total healthcare spending in 2016, higher than the oft-cited 10% figure.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Aug. 6, 2018

More employers look toward value-based insurance plans

After years of implementing cost-sharing policies like the use of high-deductible plans, businesses are looking for new avenues to reduce costs and improve health.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 6, 2018

AI-based medical imaging market on track to hit $2B by 2023

Major applications are expected in neurology and cardiovascular disease detection and diagnosis, according to a report from Signify Research.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 3, 2018

Cerner bookings, revenue see strong growth in Q2

Seven large transactions contributed more than $75 million to bookings, with Cerner President Zane Burke calling the deals "a full box of chocolates ... all very desirable." 

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 3, 2018

Healthcare M&A remains hot, but value fell in Q2

Despite the activity, there was only one industry megadeal in the quarter — KKR's $10 billion buy of Envision.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 3, 2018

Express Scripts income up, defends PBM model

The largest U.S. PBM touted 9.4% growth over the same quarter last year amid uncertainty around the future of the industry and the firm's pending merger with Cigna.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Aug. 2, 2018