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

ACA repeal bill dies in House, GOP says it will move on

It’s a stunning turnabout for Republicans who have campaigned for seven years on repealing and replacing the ACA and a major blow for President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 24, 2017

Barring major turnaround, AHCA House vote seems doomed

The tweaks made to the healthcare bill to court hardline conservatives has deterred support from more moderate Republicans.

By Luke Gale • March 23, 2017

New HHS post raises questions about ONC's future

The deputy assistant secretary for health technology has supported delaying Stage 3 of meaningful use and easing MACRA reporting requirements.

By Meg Bryant • March 22, 2017

AHCA fate unclear with House vote pending

Even after a rallying visit from President Donald Trump, some Republicans in the House say they will not vote for the party's bill to replace the ACA.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 22, 2017

Congress considers controversial legislation to expand association health plans

Republican lawmakers have proposed legislation to deregulate and expand association health plans, but critics say the plan will lead to more instances of fraud and abuse. 

By Luke Gale • March 21, 2017

Trump immigration order threatens supply of foreign doctors

International medical graduates are more likely to do residencies in underserved areas in the U.S.

By Meg Bryant • March 21, 2017

Why the GOP's proposals to cap Medicaid funding won't work

Limiting the amount of funding made to state’s Medicaid programs to generate federal savings could cost billions of dollars and strip millions of Americans from their health insurance coverage.

By Ana Mulero • March 21, 2017

CMS delays expansion of bundled payment initiatives

Delays in expansion of bundled payment initiatives combined with criticism from HHS Secretary Tom Price have some wondering about their future. 

By Luke Gale • March 20, 2017