Azar says admin 'does not believe in' Medicare drug price negotiations

The HHS secretary reinforced a number of changes proposed in the administration's drug pricing blueprint at the American Enterprise Institute on Wednesday.

By Tony Abraham • May 16, 2018

CMS' Verma says no to Medicaid lifetime limits

The administrator said the agency is still closely working with states on other types of waivers.

By David Lim • May 16, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Surprise Billing

Federal legislation banning surprise bills has hit a barrage of roadblocks, complicating efforts to protect consumers from unexpected out-of-network charges.

By Healthcare Dive staff

VA finalizes rule easing virtual care delivery

The rule allows VA providers to offer telehealth services across state lines regardless of licensing and regulation requirements.

By Meg Bryant • May 15, 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

340B scrutinized in Senate, targeted by Trump

Lawmakers questioned the program’s vague intent, lack of transparency and what they called an "inadequate" level of oversight.

By David Lim , Tony Abraham • May 15, 2018

Virginia weighs provider tax to fund Medicaid expansion

If approved, the state would become the 34th to expand its Medicaid program.

By Meg Bryant • 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

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

Report suggests standardizing Medicare Advantage bidding process

The authors estimated the changes would save the federal government $10 billion annually and reduce Part B premiums for both traditional and MA beneficiaries by about 2% per year.

By Les Masterson • May 11, 2018

What to expect from Trump's drug pricing speech Friday

The president is expected to lay out his administration's latest slate of proposals aimed at lowering the cost of drugs.

By David Lim • May 10, 2018

Trump wants to cut billions from CHIP

Congress reauthorized the Children’s Health Insurance Program for 10 years as part of a large spending package in February.

By Les Masterson • May 9, 2018

Azar urges acceleration of care to non-hospital settings in AHA speech

The HHS secretary also said a recent proposed mandate for hospitals to post standard charges online is only a first step to combating practices such as surprise billing.

By David Lim • May 9, 2018

CMS unveils strategy to improve rural healthcare

Objectives for the plan include advancing telehealth, empowering patients in rural communities and leveraging partnerships to achieve rural health goals.

By Les Masterson • May 9, 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

CMS rejects Kansas plan to create lifetime Medicaid limits

Meanwhile, New Hampshire became the fourth state to get approved for work requirements and Utah moved a step closer to getting an expansion of the program on the ballot this fall.

By Les Masterson • May 8, 2018

Veterans Choice program could get a makeover

The program for veterans who live far from a VA clinic will run out of funding next month. Legislation introduced in the House would revamp the program to lean more heavily on private sector providers.

By Tony Abraham • May 7, 2018

Most ACOs would leave MSSP if forced into risk, survey finds

Accountable care organizations are leery of the amount of risk they could face in the program next year such as unpredictable changes by CMS.

By Meg Bryant • May 4, 2018

NIH precision medicine project seeks insights on 1M Americans

The aim is to lessen the need for costly and lengthy clinical trials by amassing a database of health and lifestyle information researchers can probe to understand how people may respond to different treatments.

By Meg Bryant • May 3, 2018

Virtual care moves toward the frontline of provider-patient relationships

Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare are among those using telehealth programs in place of primary care visits and quick patient consultations.

By Les Masterson • May 3, 2018

Humana credits TRICARE contract in 18.7% Q1 membership growth

The payer also raised its guidance, citing strong Medicare Advantage numbers.

By David Lim • May 2, 2018

Survey shows reversal in ACA coverage gains

A report from the Commonwealth Fund found the rate of uninsured people between ages 19 and 64 has increased to 15.5% from 12.7% in 2016.

By Tony Abraham • May 2, 2018

SEIU health workers set to protest potential Kaiser layoffs

Kaiser Permanente said the decision to outsource the pharmacy storage and distribution network came after extensive discussions with SEIU-UHW and other unions.

By David Lim • April 30, 2018

Bipartisan group pushes opioid action plan

The bill would direct HHS Secretary Alex Azar and a pain management task force to recommend changes to Medicare and Medicaid to increase access to medication-assisted treatment and reduce opioid addiction.

By Suzanne Elvidge • April 30, 2018