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

Pharma, payers clash over CMS Part D drug rebate plan

The drug, pharmacy benefit managers and insurance industries are squabbling over a CMS proposal to require Part D sponsors to pass on a percentage of rebates to consumers.

By David Lim • Jan. 18, 2018

Hospitals, payers and docs collaborate on prior authorization

Trade groups for major healthcare players say they share a "commitment to industry-wide improvements to prior authorization processes and patient-centered care."  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 17, 2018

Uninsured rate in 2017 had biggest increase in a decade

The rate increased in all demographic groups except for senior citizens, but went up most for young adults, blacks, Hispanics and low-income Americans.   

By Les Masterson • Jan. 17, 2018

GE CEO sparks company break-up talk

The company announced more than $11 billion in charges from its long-term care insurance portfolio and through changes to the tax code.    

By Les Masterson • Jan. 17, 2018

MetroHealth unveils 'hospital in a park' project

The plan will transform a 52-acre site into a "green, transit- and pedestrian-friendly zone" and increase green space to 25 acres.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 15, 2018

CHS to sell off more hospitals this year

Chinese investor Tianqiao Chen has upped his stake in Community Health Systems to 24%.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 12, 2018

Trump admin's new bundle bid shows value-based care's staying power

Advocates of value-based payment reform breathed a sigh of relief last week when CMS announced a new bundled payment model.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 12, 2018

Worldwide ambulance market to reach $48.9B by 2025

Advanced life-support ambulance services are expected to dominate the market over the next eight years.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 12, 2018

ACA did little to boost hospital community benefit spending, study shows

Average spending on community benefits increased 0.5% from 2010 to 2014.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 11, 2018

AHA, health systems appeal 340B decision

The House Energy & Commerce Committee issued a report Wednesday that offered a series of suggestions to improve oversight of the program that gives drug discounts to some hospitals.   

By Les Masterson • Jan. 11, 2018

Physician practices see increased operating losses, survey shows

Total losses per physician grew from a median of $95,000 in 2016 to nearly $141,000 last year.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 11, 2018

ACOs flock to Medicare Shared Savings Program

Most of the ACOs in a risk-based contract chose Track 1+, which is the latest risk model.   

By Les Masterson • Jan. 11, 2018

CMS extends Maryland all-payer program for another year

Maryland is working with the agency on a larger proposal to include outpatient services.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 10, 2018

Tenet increases company layoffs to 2K

The hospital operator recently announced plans to divest two properties and expects to reap millions in lower taxes from the new tax law. 

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 9, 2018