DOJ seeks more info on proposed CVS, Aetna merger

CVS did not say what information DOJ is seeking, but the request is not unexpected.

By Shannon Muchmore • Feb. 2, 2018

Medicare Advantage plans to see 1.84% rate bump

CMS is also proposing opioid prescribing limits starting in 2019 for Part D plans to help stem the opioid crisis.

By David Lim • Feb. 2, 2018

Healthcare cloud computing market on track for $35B by 2022

Driving growth is the demand for anywhere, anytime access to health data.

By Meg Bryant • Feb. 1, 2018

Changes from DC could mean a difficult year ahead for hospitals

​Issues facing hospitals this year include Medicaid DSH cuts, a possible return of mandatory bundling initiatives and CMS potentially moving hip replacement procedures to outpatient.  

By Les Masterson • Feb. 1, 2018

Cigna revenue, membership up with commercial focus

Medicare Advantage membership growth is also expected to increase by 3% in 2018 and will likely accelerate in 2019.  

By Les Masterson • Feb. 1, 2018

How Amazon, JPM, Berkshire could disrupt healthcare (or not)

News of three corporate giants forming an independent healthcare company "proves every business is a healthcare business," said David Vivero, CEO of the digital health startup Amino.

By Shannon Muchmore, Daphne Howland & Jeff Byers • Jan. 31, 2018

Anthem sees strong Q4, Medicare Advantage and PBM gains

The major Blues plan reported revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2017, as well as membership gains for the year.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 31, 2018

State of the Union: 4 things Trump said on healthcare

Most of the healthcare ideas the president put forward have little chance of being enacted this year or lack funding to be effective.

By David Lim • Jan. 31, 2018

Court sets speedy 340B lawsuit schedule, siding with AHA

"We will continue to pursue our legislative and legal strategies to reverse these cuts, and expect to prevail in holding the agency accountable for overstepping its authority," Melinda Hatton, general counsel for the American Hospital Association, told Healthcare Dive.

By David Lim • Jan. 31, 2018

Hospital M&A hits new high in 2017 at $63B

The biggest regional health system transaction was the proposed merger of Advocate and Aurora Health Care.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 30, 2018

Medicare out-of-pocket costs seen rising to half of senior income

Older people in poor health, women and lower-income Americans are paying higher percentages of their per capita income on out-of-pocket Medicare costs.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 30, 2018

Aetna posts strong Q4 profits, awaiting CVS Health merger

Aetna's net income of $244 million represents a 76% increase compared to the $139 million of profit posted during Q4 2016.

By David Lim • Jan. 30, 2018

Most hospitals will see Part B revenue increase despite 340B cut

The findings from Avalere come as hospitals challenge the 340B drug payment cut in court.

By David Lim • Jan. 29, 2018

One Brooklyn Health wins $664M to develop 32-site ambulatory network

"This holistic investment creates a sustainable, unified health care system to empower historically underserved communities, support health and wellness and ensure a brighter future for the people of Brooklyn," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

By David Lim • Jan. 26, 2018

Healthcare deal value skyrocketed in 2017: PwC

The value increase is thanks in part to the proposed CVS Health-Aetna deal, which made up 44% of the total value of 2017 activity, according to PwC.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 25, 2018

ACA helped reduce out-of-pocket costs: JAMA

Many low-income Americans, however, still face high out-of-pocket costs.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 24, 2018

Providers make efforts, but cuts to low-value care elusive

Healthcare stakeholders know they should cut low-value services, but there are multiple obstacles to overcome.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 24, 2018

ER visits, drug price hikes drive health spending up

The Health Care Cost Institute found healthcare spending grew 4.6% in 2016.

By Jeff Byers • Jan. 23, 2018

Frost & Sullivan: Global healthcare market to hit nearly $2 trillion this year

Cybersecurity will remain a major challenge for healthcare organizations, according to a new report.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 23, 2018

CHIP renewed 6 years, ACA taxes delayed under spending pact

Congress will need to approve another spending bill by Feb. 8, and it may include additional healthcare measures. 

By Les Masterson • Jan. 23, 2018

Providers go deeper with population health, weighing social factors

Healthcare organizations are waking up to the importance of social determinants of health, like housing and nutrition.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 22, 2018

UPDATED: Shutdown ends after half of HHS staff furloughed

Congress voted to fund the government until Feb 8.

By David Lim • Jan. 22, 2018

AI funding exceeds $1B in 2017

Overall, the digital health space raised $7.2 billion on 778 deals last year, according to Mercom Capital Group. 

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 19, 2018

Premier Health to consolidate its two Dayton hospitals

Good Samaritan Hospital’s closure will affect 1,600 employees.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 19, 2018

Rural hospitals need flexible policies to survive, report says

The paper called for opportunities that let rural communities define their own needs and service sets, including transforming some hospitals from small inpatient care centers to new models like rural emergency centers.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 18, 2018