Finances: Page
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Pop health program reduced ED use, inpatient hospitalizations
A new Health Affairs study found that a Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center program with the Dallas Park and Recreation Department showed cost savings after one year.
By Les Masterson • April 5, 2018 -
Lafayette General threatens to shutter hospital amid budget impasse
LGH said that without funding either Louisiana State University will have to take over University Hospitals & Clinics again or the health system will close the hospital and lay off its employees on July 1.
By Les Masterson • April 5, 2018 -
Medicaid FFS biggest factor in billing headaches, report finds
A Health Affairs study found that there are more challenged claims with traditional Medicaid than involving other payers. Also, Medicaid payments take longer to process than others, including Medicare.
By Les Masterson • April 4, 2018 -
Payers get better-than-expected Medicare Advantage rate increase
CMS also increased the role encounter data will play in determining risk scores and announced policies to target opioid abuse.
By Les Masterson • April 3, 2018 -
Medicare ACOs missing federal cost-savings predictions, analysis finds
The finding raises questions about the long-term success of the Medicare Shared Savings Program, which has swelled to 561 ACOs from 27 six years ago.
By Meg Bryant • April 2, 2018 -
Walmart reportedly in early talks to acquire Humana
The companies already partner on Medicare Part D drug plans, but a deal, floated in the WSJ, could boost Humana's group market offerings to compete with other major insurers, a Mercer consultant suggests.
By David Lim • April 2, 2018 -
Oscar Health raises $165M from investors
The payer said profitability is "around the corner," but the ACA market it focuses on has not been lucrative for insurers and faces a potentially unstable future.
By Les Masterson • March 29, 2018 -
Ascension selling Connecticut hospital to Hartford HealthCare
The deal comes as Ascension is refocusing its long-term strategy away from hospitals and toward outpatient care and telemedicine.
By Meg Bryant • March 28, 2018 -
Healthcare M&A leading to higher prices in California
A University of California, Berkeley study said northern California pays much higher healthcare prices than the southern part of the state.
By Les Masterson • March 28, 2018 -
Supply chain woes delay and disrupt care, OR staff says
A Cardinal Health survey found that OR providers said hospital supply chain problems lead to procedure delays and cancellations, which can harm patient health and hospital bottom lines.
By Les Masterson • March 28, 2018 -
HHS panel recommends testing 2 alternative palliative care payment models
Also, a new Health Affairs article explored the complexity of including hospice care in Medicare Advantage.
By Les Masterson • March 28, 2018 -
Urgent care center market on track to hit $26B by 2023
This year's severe flu season is driving growth in the acute care segment of the market, according to a new report.
By Meg Bryant • March 27, 2018 -
Plans shirking ACA rules could spur more out-of-network care
Allowing health coverage to be sold across state lines could also limit oversight, a report by state regulators said.
By Les Masterson • March 27, 2018 -
Montgomery County Planning Commission
Aetna to offer point of sale pharmacy rebates to 3M customers
The insurer has opposed the CMS idea to mandate that Part D sponsors pass on a percentage of rebates to customers at the point of sale.
By David Lim • March 27, 2018 -
Most employers short of tipping point for health coverage
The American Health Policy Institute predicted employers won't be rushing to drop health insurance as a benefit, but some will go that route in the face of unmanageable healthcare costs.
By Les Masterson • March 26, 2018 -
Mission Health seeks to be acquired by HCA Healthcare
"Given the inevitability of consolidation, we wanted it to be our choice long before we are forced to make one," said Mission, the sixth-largest health system in North Carolina.
By David Lim • March 23, 2018 -
Centene fined $100K for not fixing provider network inadequacies
The Washington state insurance commissioner says the payer has not adhered to its compliance plan following a $1.5 million fine last December.
By David Lim • March 23, 2018 -
Advocate-Aurora merger clears regulatory hurdle, on track for April 1 close
The merger would create the 10th largest U.S. nonprofit, integrated system, with combined annual revenues of about $11 billion.
By Les Masterson • March 22, 2018 -
Highmark Health's provider arm has best ever operating performance year
The company said its ACA plans were also profitable for the first time in 2017.
By Les Masterson • March 21, 2018 -
White House report targets health insurer profitability
The Council of Economic Advisers report argues many insurance companies' net profit margins have returned to pre-ACA levels on the backs of taxpayers.
By David Lim • March 21, 2018 -
Urgent care claims skyrocket; ER claims pale in contrast
A new FAIR Health analysis of more than 25 billion privately billed healthcare claims found large differences in growth depending on the place of service.
By Les Masterson • March 21, 2018 -
Washington hospital lays off nearly a quarter of leadership
In January, the 140-bed hospital laid off 21 employees after subcontracting billing services.
By Meg Bryant • March 20, 2018 -
Blues plans made money in individual market last year
Payers still face an uncertain 2018 and 2019 in the ACA exchanges.
By Les Masterson • March 20, 2018 -
Maryland's all-payer model saved Medicare millions in first 3 years
A review of the state program found that it's on track to meet CMS-imposed targets for savings and patient safety.
By Les Masterson • March 19, 2018 -
Hospital prices see biggest gain in years, hiring on upswing
Hospital prices grew at their highest rate since 2009. Overall healthcare costs saw the highest increase since 2012.
By Les Masterson • March 19, 2018
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