WHO recommends doubling number of prenatal visits

Revised guidelines include 49 recommendations ranging from diet and substance use to HIV prevention and ultrasound for tracking fetal growth.

By Meg Bryant • Nov. 8, 2016

Could first-year medical residents soon see 28-hour shifts?

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education wants to lift the 16-hour shift limit for first-year residents.

By Meg Bryant • Nov. 8, 2016

Why this campaign represents healthcare's greatest opportunity yet

Athenahealth's Jonathan Bush on election day weighed in on the 2016 presidential election and what it means for the industry.

By Jonathan Bush • Nov. 8, 2016

What the 2016 presidential election could mean for the future of the ACA

Democrats want to improve the ACA while Republicans want to see its demise. With such vastly different views for the future of healthcare, what's likely to happen after the election? 

By Luke Gale • Nov. 7, 2016

Judge blocks CMS ban on forced arbitration in nursing homes

At issue is whether the federal agency overstepped its bounds.

By Heather Caspi • Nov. 7, 2016

CMS' Slavitt signals tough new stance on drug costs

The agency argued pharmaceutical price increases are unsustainable and that opportunity will exist for those who seek win-wins.

By Heather Caspi • Nov. 7, 2016

Suspended medical device tax bandied as anti-ACA campaign fodder

Repealing the tax is in the industry's benefit but would also undermine the ACA, for better or worse.

By Heather Caspi • Nov. 7, 2016

$1B Medicare fraudster gets September 2017 trial date

Nursing home operator Philip Esformes allegedly drove patients to his facilities using a network of corrupt providers.

By Meg Bryant • Nov. 4, 2016

WHO guidelines take aim at surgical infections, superbugs

The recommendations range from having patients bathe before a procedure to advising surgical teams on which disinfectants and sutures to use.

By Meg Bryant • Nov. 4, 2016

CMS rule boosts support for primary care, mental health, diabetes prevention

The updates put the focus on prevention and coordination of care to achieve better health and savings.

By Heather Caspi • Nov. 3, 2016

FDA clears digital stethoscope for telehealth use

The tool, part of a larger telehealth platform, aims to replicate in-person doctor exams from a remote location.

By Meg Bryant • Nov. 3, 2016

Why selling insurance across state lines is an unlikely solution

Proposals to allow the sale of health insurance across state lines make a lot of promises that would likely go unfulfilled. 

By Luke Gale • Nov. 2, 2016

1,600+ hospitals to receive value-based purchasing bonus

The total number of hospitals receiving a positive payment adjustment under the value-based purchasing program fell from about 1,800 last year.  

By Luke Gale • Nov. 2, 2016

CMS issues final rule on hospital payment rates for 2017

The agency followed through on a proposal to remove patient survey answers as part of pain management care in the Value-Based Purchasing program.

By Luke Gale • Nov. 2, 2016

FDA calls for boxed warning on Essure labeling

Essure has been linked to thousands of reports of serious and frequent health complications. 

By Meg Bryant • Nov. 2, 2016

HHS restricts short-term insurance plans to under 3 months

Americans that purchase short-term plans will have to pay the individual penalty as they won't have ACA-compliant coverage and health insurers must notify their customers under the new rule.

By Ana Mulero • Oct. 31, 2016

Survey: 29% of physicians still haven't heard of MACRA

With the final rule now out, physicians should be making their plans for 2017.

By Heather Caspi • Oct. 31, 2016

Patient ratings added to Dialysis Facility Compare website

CMS is furthering its push for transparency and improved accuracy in star ratings.

By Heather Caspi • Oct. 31, 2016

Technology, outreach efforts prime ACA open enrollment season

Mobile apps, Lyft partnerships and "hyperlocal" outreach have been included in efforts to boost insurance enrollment.

By Jeff Byers • Oct. 29, 2016

MACRA, ONC oversight final rules hint at HHS' health IT master plan

The recently released final rules have a significant health IT effect for reporting, regulatory requirements and small practices. 

By Luke Gale • Oct. 29, 2016

AHA sees erosion of physician judgment in DOJ false claims suit

DOJ accused Prime Healthcare of encouraging doctors to admit Medicare patients for short hospital stays instead of outpatient observation care.

By Meg Bryant • Oct. 28, 2016

HHS continues to fight the good mental parity fight, outlines new initiatives

Implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act has stalled over the past few years.

By Luke Gale • Oct. 28, 2016

Medicare pilot poses implications for hospice

Healthcare spending could see a shift if a trend takes off for hospice combined with curative treatment.

By Heather Caspi • Oct. 27, 2016

AHRQ developing a 'better mousetrap' to enhance patient safety monitoring

The rate of medical errors is still too high — about 120 events per 1,000 hospital stays, AHRQ’s Jeffrey Brady says.

By Meg Bryant • Oct. 27, 2016

Advanced APMs: What they are and why they matter

Providers should look at both the downside risk potential and cost of implementing an Advanced APM.

By Meg Bryant • Oct. 26, 2016