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

Teladoc revenues up 112% on strong subscription growth

The company reported a net loss of $25.1 million for the second quarter of 2018, up nearly $10 million year over year.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 2, 2018

Aetna sees slight revenue bump, membership drop

A day earlier, California's insurance commissioner came out against the payer's pending $69 billion deal with CVS.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 2, 2018

Cigna's commercial market success continues in Q2

The payer reported earnings that included a total revenue increase of 10% to $11.5 billion compared to the same quarter in 2017, beating Wall Street expectations.

By Tony Abraham • Aug. 2, 2018

Humana Q2 earnings driven by Medicare Advantage growth

At the same time, the payer lost Medicare prescription drug and Medicaid members over the past year.

By Les Masterson • Aug. 1, 2018

Patients often choose higher-cost locations for MRIs, study finds

Referring physicians have more influence over a patient's decision than out-of-pocket costs, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research report.

By Les Masterson • July 31, 2018

States sue Trump administration over AHP expansion

Critics fear that by tempting people with lower-cost offerings, AHPs and catastrophic plans could cause millions to flee the ACA exchanges.

By Les Masterson • July 30, 2018

DC's Providence Health ending acute care in shift to population health

The system, part of the nation's largest Catholic nonprofit health system Ascension, said it will make the change by the end of this year.

By Les Masterson • July 27, 2018

UHS revenue up 2.6% to $2.68B in Q2

The company's reserve for a federal fraud settlement now totals $43 million.

By Meg Bryant • July 27, 2018

Anthem sees 23% net growth, eyes Medicare, Medicaid options

The payer's revenue was hurt by its pull-back from the ACA exchanges. ​

By Les Masterson • July 25, 2018

Centene revenue up on ACA plan growth

The payer reported a 19% increase in year-over-year Q2 revenues to $14.2 billion.

By Les Masterson • July 24, 2018

UnitedHealth sees growing interest in ACOs

The nation's largest private payer expects ACOs will continue to grow over the next year as employers look for ways to cut costs and improve quality.

By Les Masterson • July 23, 2018

Non-physician providers improve practice bottom lines, MGMA says

The survey also found that operating costs for primary care practices rose 13% over the past five years.

By Les Masterson • July 23, 2018

State individual mandates would boost coverage, curb premiums

The Commonwealth Fund reported there would be more than 7 million fewer uninsured people in 2022 if all states implemented individual mandates.

By Les Masterson • July 23, 2018

Health systems increasingly think small. At the micro level.

"It's intended to be the 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids' version," one hospital executive quipped about the micro-campus goal.

By Les Masterson • July 23, 2018