Health systems will boost higher-acuity investments to stay viable, Moody's report says

Nonprofit organizations will need to balance outpatient investments with maintaining high-margin inpatient services if they are to stay financially competitive, according to a new report.

By Les Masterson • May 21, 2018

Mayo Clinic sees revenues, operating income climb in 2018 Q1

The Rochester, Minnesota-based health system has about $665 million in construction projects underway.

By Meg Bryant • May 18, 2018

Payers in ACA exchanges beginning to find success

A Kaiser Family Foundation review of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that payers' MLR and gross margins have improved significantly in the ACA marketplace over the past two years.

By Les Masterson • May 18, 2018

CMS weighing National Coverage Decision for CAR-T

The agency is considering whether there is enough evidence to support national Medicare coverage of the pricey cancer therapies.

By Lisa LaMotta • May 18, 2018

Cigna, Express Scripts SEC filings reveal roadmap, backstory of $67B deal

If either terminates the merger, it may owe the other company a $1.6 billion termination fee.

By David Lim • May 17, 2018

Nonprofit hospitals need 5 years to see results on capital projects, Fitch says

The ratings agency launched the five-year Fitch Analytical Stress Test scenario analysis as a way to help "communicate rating sensitivities and the levels of performance … anticipated in the current rating."

By Les Masterson • May 17, 2018

Cook County Health lost $165M from errors, lax policies, IG says

Officials blamed the system’s bureaucracy, employee mistakes and changes to health insurance.

By Les Masterson • May 17, 2018

Oscar looking to expand to more state ACA exchanges

The payer reported a profit in the first quarter of this year and significantly improved its medical loss ratio.

By Les Masterson • May 16, 2018

Qventus raises $30M to expand AI-enabled hospital workflow tool

A new wave of AI products for hospitals is tackling repetitive administrative tasks rather than clinical cases.

By Meg Bryant • May 16, 2018

Most healthcare execs hope Amazon expands supply chain presence

A new survey shows industry leaders back Amazon jumping further into medical supplies, to lower prices and quicken deliveries.

By Les Masterson • May 16, 2018

Urban Institute pitches moderate plan to achieve comprehensive coverage

The proposal would keep most of the current healthcare structure in place, including employer-sponsored insurance, and could result in 16 million fewer people without insurance.

By Les Masterson • May 15, 2018

Vermont all-payer ACO shows early success

Meanwhile, the federal government approved Maryland's request to expand its all-payer model. Beginning in January, across-the-board rates in the state will include hospital and non-hospital settings.

By Les Masterson • May 15, 2018

Up to 10% with ACA coverage could jump to association health plans

Those people are more likely to be young and healthy, so their absence will leave the marketplace plans with an unstable risk pool, according to an Actuary analysis.

By Les Masterson • May 14, 2018

Health sector's share of US jobs hits new high

The industry is nearing full employment, according to an analysis from Altarum.

By Les Masterson • May 14, 2018

Quorum's net loss exceeds $98M in 2018 Q1

The Brentwood, Tennessee-based company plans to sell up to $215 million in additional assets by the end of next year.

By Meg Bryant • May 11, 2018

Pharma breathes easy as Trump's drug pricing plan fizzles

While Trump vowed to bring drug prices down, pharma and biotech stocks jumped higher after his speech delivered few immediate actions. 

By David Lim • May 11, 2018

CHI posts net loss amid declining inpatient, outpatient volume

The Englewood, Colorado-based nonprofit health system said net income for the three months ending March 31 was down 0.3%, or $12.3 million.

By Shannon Muchmore • May 11, 2018

UnitedHealthcare says its bundle model shows improved health, reduced costs

The program, which focuses on knee, hip and spine procedures, reduced hospital readmissions and limited complications.

By Les Masterson • May 10, 2018

Report shows health spending for privately insured varies widely based on geography, competition

The amount differs by a factor of three across the country, with half of the variation caused by hospital pricing differences and half by quantity, according to the study.

By Les Masterson • May 10, 2018

Payers propose hefty ACA exchange premium hikes

The higher rates insurers in Virginia and Maryland proposed were expected after the Trump administration zeroed out the individual mandate penalty.

By Les Masterson • May 8, 2018

Southeast Texas hospital closing, filing for bankruptcy

Bay Area Regional Medical Center was unable to get affordable managed care contracts with insurers, a spokesman said.

By Meg Bryant • May 8, 2018

UPMC reports Q1 earnings, admissions up

The Pittsburgh-based health system posted $4.6 billion in revenue and a 22% increase in admissions and observations year-over-year.

By Tony Abraham • May 7, 2018

Nokia to exit digital health market

The company said it will sell its digital health portfolio to the co-founder of French startup Withings, which Nokia bought two years ago.

By Meg Bryant • May 4, 2018

LifePoint posts $5.3M loss with fewer admissions

The health system's guidance remains relatively unchanged for 2018, executives said in an earnings call.

By Tony Abraham • May 4, 2018

PwC report shines light on M&A disruption in healthcare

Currently, 84% of Fortune 50 companies are involved in the industry.

By Meg Bryant • May 2, 2018