Study: Depression care must be aligned with clinical needs

One expert recommends integrating screening tools and mental health services into primary care to address the disparities.

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 29, 2016

EpiPen price scrutiny highlights real-world power of social media

While Mylan was doing business as usual, consumers had reached their limit.

By Heather Caspi • Aug. 29, 2016

Zika inaction sparks Clinton plan for public health 'rapid response fund'

With Congress proving unable to respond to an urgent public health matter, the democratic presidential hopeful is proposing a future alternative.

By Heather Caspi • Aug. 25, 2016

ONC seeks input on updated listing of interoperability standards

The draft standards are available in an interactive online platform.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 25, 2016

OIG: Audit reveals 'significant' vulnerabilities in CMS wireless networks

No cases of unauthorized use were found, but OIG identified four causes for concern.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 25, 2016

Industry agrees to 68% hike in medical device user fees for 2018-2022

Congress must pass new user fee legislation before the current fee program expires in October 2017.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 24, 2016

States, providers band together to sue HHS over gender anti-discrimination rule

The lawsuit will test the validity of the first federal regulation to ban discrimination based on gender identity.

By Luke Gale • Aug. 24, 2016

CBO: Aging population, drugs driving federal healthcare spending

This year will be the first time the annual budget shortfall will increase since 2009.

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 24, 2016

Disciplined docs can still get drug and devicemaker dollars, investigation finds

Some drug and device makers maintain financial ties to doctors with histories of serious misconduct.

By Luke Gale • Aug. 24, 2016

OCR puts organizations on notice for smaller data breaches

Expect to see more HIPAA settlements as HHS steps up investigations of smaller breaches.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 23, 2016

ICD-10 'flexibilities' draw to close on October 1

Any providers not already coding to the highest possible level of specificity will need to start.

By Heather Caspi • Aug. 22, 2016

Reinsurance key for risk adjustment, stabilizing marketplace, research finds

Only 1% of patients in the 2013 sample group were very costly but they accounted for 28% of total annual healthcare costs.

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 22, 2016

Here are the challenges providers can expect with CPC+

To expand the initiative, CMS will need to offer incentives that attract payers and providers in other parts of the country, particularly in areas where there are large at-risk populations, one expert says.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 22, 2016

On patient steering from Medicare/Medicaid to marketplace plans, CMS wants answers

Regulatory changes could be coming to stop providers seeking higher reimbursement rates.

By Heather Caspi • Aug. 22, 2016

CMS supports modular approach to Medicaid IT improvements

The aim is to increase state’s ability to upgrade Medicaid Management Information Systems and speed access to enhanced federal financial support.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 18, 2016

FTC issues final order in privacy complaint against Practice Fusion

Practice Fusion was accused of not informing patients physician reviews would be publicly posted. Many responses contained sensitive health information.

By Luke Gale • Aug. 17, 2016

Timeline: Aetna's pending $37B acquisition of Humana

Aetna and Humana say they are prepared to “vigorously defend their pending transaction” against an antitrust lawsuit in a court trial set to begin on December 5. 

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 16, 2016

Former HHS official touts patient consent for improved health data privacy

The comments come in response to an ONC report which found key privacy gaps in HIPAA's ability to protect personal information generated by wearables and other mobile apps.

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 16, 2016

Organ org seeks fairer liver transplant network

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network is seeking comments on a policy proposal that would change the geographic distribution system for liver transplants.

By Jeff Byers • Aug. 15, 2016

Math gaffe could cost Massachusetts hospitals $110M in Medicare funds

Rhode Island hospitals stand to lose $7 million, thanks to Massachusetts’ mistake.  

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 12, 2016

Nursing home star ratings get new quality measures

Five new measures will be gradually phased in through January 2017.

By Heather Caspi • Aug. 11, 2016

Swedish equity firm to acquire healthcare analytics firm Press Ganey for $2.3B

The deal marks the first time EQT has invested in North America.

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 9, 2016

FDA lays out when device modifications require regulatory clearance

Changes that could alter a device’s clinical performance would require the FDA’s greenlight.

By Meg Bryant • Aug. 9, 2016

Harken Health withdraws from ACA expansion plans into South Florida

While reasons behind the reversal are currently unknown, Harken Health will instead plan to expand the number of its primary care clinics in Atlanta and Georgia.

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 8, 2016

Medicaid expansion leads to better healthcare outcomes, study finds

Adopting expansion was associated with an increase of access to primary care by 12.1 percentage points.

By Ana Mulero • Aug. 8, 2016