Hospitals see 'modest' 3% savings using Medicare joint replacement model, study finds

Those participating didn't see a significant difference in complications or percentage of procedures among high-risk patients, according to the report in the New England Journal of Medicine.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 4, 2019

Final ACA federal enrollment tally drops due to cancellations

The final numbers are roughly 43,000 lower than those CMS posted at the end of open enrollment last month and about 4% lower than figures a year ago.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 4, 2019

HL7 releases latest FHIR version

The new iteration brings normative status, meaning future changes will be backward compatible.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 3, 2019

Advocate Aurora Health aims for 100% renewable electricity by 2030

The newly merged health system hopes to cut its annual carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 400,000 metric tons.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 3, 2019

Dem AGs appeal Texas judge ruling against ACA

The group of 17 state attorneys general slammed last month's ruling that found the ACA unconstitutional. One official called it an "absurd interpretation of the law."

By Tony Abraham • Jan. 3, 2019

Court rejects 340B payment cuts in big win for hospitals

The district court judge asked the federal government and hospitals to come to an "appropriate remedy."

By Les Masterson • Dec. 31, 2018

CMS unveils 'new direction' for MSSP that adds more risk on ACOs

The change also includes new beneficiary incentives, telehealth services and beneficiary assignment methodology choices.

By Les Masterson • Dec. 28, 2018

JAMA findings suggest 'unintended harm' from Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program

The study shows an association between the program and 30-day post-discharge mortality in heart failure patients.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 21, 2018

Policy upheaval, tech giant disruption and megamergers: Healthcare Dive's 10 best stories of 2018

This year in healthcare was marked by sweeping changes.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 21, 2018

340B hospital drug spending higher than at non-340B facilities, report says

The analysis funded by the pharmaceutical industry is the latest in a heated battle between 340B hospitals and drugmakers over the benefits to the program and the impact on drug spending.  

By Les Masterson • Dec. 21, 2018

Most hospitals sharing data, but challenges remain, ONC says

A majority of hospitals use a mix of electronic and nonelectronic methods to send and receive patient care summaries, the new analysis shows.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 20, 2018

ACA federal exchange enrollment drops about 4%

The slump is not as significant as many had feared, and shows the law is "far from dead," said Kaiser Family Foundation's Larry Levitt.

By Les Masterson • Dec. 20, 2018

Study finds 'mixed messages' in Medicare hospital ratings, penalty programs

The report echoes other findings that question the usefulness of hospital rankings.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 19, 2018

ACA ruling could upend Medicaid expansion

Policy experts say it's hard to overstate the chaos the ruling would create if it stands, although many legal scholars doubt it will be upheld. Still, some managed care companies have contingency plans.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 19, 2018

Reinsurance program, higher subsidies would further ACA coverage gains

In a new report, the Urban Institute suggested a variety of policy changes that it said would insure more than 12 million additional people.

By Les Masterson • Dec. 19, 2018

Judge calls for expedited briefings in ACA case

The parties have until Friday to file their responses on whether a stay is warranted, whether the court should enter partial final judgment on the order and whether the court should certify the order for immediate repeal.

By Shannon Muchmore , Tony Abraham • Dec. 19, 2018

Federal judge suggests CVS-Aetna be monitored by outside appointee

Judge Richard Leon of the D.C. District Court also rebuked the DOJ for its "tone deaf" brief questioning Leon's right to review the merger under 2004's Tunney Act.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 18, 2018

Labor board will charge Kaiser for refusing to bargain, union says

NLRB will prosecute Kaiser before the end of the year if it does not settle with union workers, according to an email obtained by Healthcare Dive. The health system said the decision is not a verdict, but the start of a hearing process.

By Tony Abraham • Dec. 18, 2018

Most Medicaid managed care programs consider social determinants of health

Still, few payment incentives involve those factors, according to a new report by the Association for Community Affiliated Plans and the Center for Health Care Strategies.

By Les Masterson • Dec. 17, 2018

What to expect after whirlwind ACA ruling

The decision, now being challenged by a coalition of Democratic attorneys general, would effectively wipe out Medicaid expansion and pre-existing condition protections and could affect a number of hospital payment reforms.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated Dec. 18, 2018

A case of the Blues: BCBS plans' appeal rejected, must face antitrust allegations

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling that 36 Blue Cross Blue Shield plans' agreement to limit competition while staking claim in exclusive markets is a per se violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

By Tony Abraham • Dec. 14, 2018

Texas judge rules ACA unconstitutional

Providers blasted the ruling, which will appealed to a higher court.

By Tony Abraham • Updated Dec. 18, 2018

HHS seeks ideas on HIPAA tweaks to boost care coordination

The aim is to reduce regulatory burden and facilitate care, with a focus on the opioid crisis.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 13, 2018

DOJ takes up lawsuit accusing Sutter Health of cheating Medicare

The whistleblower lawsuit alleges the California health system and an affiliate manipulated diagnosis codes to inflate payments.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 13, 2018

ACO trade group says Medicare program saved $859M in 2016

The program, which includes 561 accountable care organizations and 10.5 million patients, saved more than $660 million between 2013 and 2016 after bonuses paid to providers for meeting spending and quality targets.

By Les Masterson • Dec. 13, 2018