Healthcare 2020: 8 healthcare questions you need to be prepared to answer

The next decade of employer-sponsored care looks challenging, but promising, according to experts at Business Health Agenda 2017.

By Ryan Golden • April 10, 2017

Healthcare added 14,000 new jobs last month

Job growth in healthcare has slowed slightly in the first few months of 2017 compared with last year. 

By Luke Gale • April 10, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

Hospitals are navigating persistent labor shortages with the need to cut costs — a source of contention that could leave patients caught in the middle.

By Healthcare Dive staff

ACA individual insurance market not in 'death spiral,' showed progress in 2016

Standard & Poor's Global Ratings give a positive outlook for the individual market, but it still needs time to mature.

By Les Masterson • April 8, 2017

AHCA amendment seeks $15B for high-risk pools

The move doesn't really change expectations for the bill as Congress heads for a two-week spring break.

By Les Masterson • April 7, 2017

AHIP spokesperson says MA rate increase 'doesn't move the needle'

The Medicare Advantage market is growing and payers are taking notice, but not just because of a recent rate increase from CMS. 

By Luke Gale • April 7, 2017

RAND: Medicare spending under MACRA depends on APM participation

If MACRA works as intended, it means hospitals and physicians will be missing out on billions in reimbursement. 

By Luke Gale • April 6, 2017

Cleveland Clinic CEO warns against consequences of ACA replacement

Toby Cosgrove said hospital consolidation is an important step in the transition toward promoting value over volume.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 6, 2017

Scott Gottlieb commits to defend FDA's 'gold standard' for drug reviews

Trump's nominee to head the FDA seemed to have the support of many senators at a committee hearing, but his ties to industry and potential conflicts of interest continue to draw scrutiny. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 5, 2017

GOP eyes medical tort reform

The Protecting Access to Care Act would cap damages for noneconomic damages in malpractice lawsuits at $250,000.

By Meg Bryant • April 5, 2017

Medscape report shows multiple factors play into physician salaries

The average annual salary for a physician increased by about 43% from 2011 to this year, but pay gaps persist along gender and racial lines and many physicians report frustration with administrative tasks. 

By Luke Gale • April 5, 2017

UnitedHealth can sue CMS over Medicare Advantage overpayment rule

The rule allows the CMS to treat overpayments like False Claims Act violations.

By Meg Bryant • April 4, 2017

What payers want to know before they commit to exchanges

Payers would like answers on premium subsidies, risk corridor payments and the individual mandate before they can make decisions on insurance exchanges for the 2018 coverage year.

By Luke Gale • April 1, 2017

Bill would balance payments to ambulatory surgery centers

Under the measure, payment rates for ambulatory surgery centers would be updated using the same measure as hospital outpatient departments.

By Meg Bryant • March 31, 2017

Former Siemens exec to serve as ONC head

"Do good work, call on the health IT community, we will support you," Aledade CEO and former ONC head Farzad Mostashari tweeted to Donald Rucker in reaction to his new appointment. 

By Ana Mulero • March 31, 2017

Report: Anthem could be nearing decision to pull out of ACA exchanges

CEO Joseph Swedish previously indicated that the payer's participation for the 2018 coverage year would depend on any changes made by the presidential administration to the federal healthcare law.

By Luke Gale • March 31, 2017

Price's testimony at HHS budget hearing hints at revival of ACA repeal bill

The HHS secretary said he would enforce the ACA as long as it continues to be the "law of the land."

By Ana Mulero • March 30, 2017

Survey: Nearly 75% of providers are not ready for MACRA or need help

The CMS introduced flexibility for providers to participate in MACRA in the first year, but they will need to prepare quickly for when new payment models go into full effect next year. 

By Luke Gale • March 29, 2017

WalletHub physician study highlights improvement areas for states

Some of the worst states to practice medicine in are lacking the amount of healthcare professionals needed to meet the demand.  

By Ana Mulero • March 29, 2017

DOJ joins Medicare Advantage fraud lawsuit against UnitedHealth

Involvement in the False Claims Act lawsuits against the payer indicates the agency will pursue fraud as aggressively under President Donald Trump as it had under President Barack Obama.

By Luke Gale • March 28, 2017

White House innovation office to tackle VA, opioid crisis

The new office — tasked with overhauling the federal bureaucracy — has already been meeting twice weekly with such industry leaders as Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

By Jeff Byers , Meg Bryant • March 28, 2017

Trump picks former Anthem lobbyist as next head of DOJ antitrust division

Makan Delrahim's nomination has raised additional concerns with the review process of the proposed $54 billion Anthem-Cigna merger under the new presidential administration. 

By Ana Mulero • March 28, 2017

OIG will investigate Trump administration decision to end ACA marketing campaign

Democratic senators requested an inquiry earlier this year because of concerns that the abrupt end to advertising of the ACA open enrollment period would threaten to increase insurance prices by limiting overall enrollment.

By Luke Gale • March 28, 2017

Payers could bail on ACA exchanges with healthcare reform stalled

Payers only have a few months left to decide if they will participate in insurance exchanges next year. If lawmakers don't do anything to indicate they are supporting the exchanges, many payers may not bother. 

By Luke Gale • March 28, 2017

Anthem stands firm over cost savings argument in appeals court

If Anthem-Cigna is finalized, the combined company would cut fees to care providers, the health insurer's attorney acknowledged.

By Ana Mulero • March 27, 2017

Trump demands AHCA vote Friday as bill becomes more conservative

The Republican plan to replace the ACA would now do away with federal laws requiring insurers to cover essential health benefits.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 24, 2017