HHS feels the heat from medical groups over 27 states denying bariatric surgery

The action is non-compliant with the ACA, advocates say.

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 19, 2015

AMA backs ban on direct-to-consumer pharma ads

Dive Brief: The American Medical Association voted Tuesday to call for an end to all direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising by drug companies. This is an abrupt change from its prior stance. The U.S. is one of the few countries that allows DTC advertising.  This new policy is pa...

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 18, 2015

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

OIG released plans to keep hospitals in check in 2016

The 2016 work plan includes a new oversight for hospitals' quality reporting data. 

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 18, 2015

Abortion makes Supreme Court's docket for 2016

Abortion-rights advocates are challenging a Texas law that would shutter 75% of the state's abortion clinics. 

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 17, 2015

As KY governor-elect decides state's Medicaid fate, outgoing governor urges for preservation

Gov.-elect Matt Bevin wants to make big changes to Kentucky's Medicaid program after 90% of Kentucky residents have access to health coverage.

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 17, 2015

Class-action suit alleges Endo birth control packaging errors led to unplanned pregnancies

Dive Brief: In fall 2011, Qualitest, a subsidiary of Endo Pharmaceuticals, recalled eight brands of oral contraceptives. The reason: A packaging error in which the top row (active hormonal) and the bottom row (placebo) were mixed up. As a result, there were 113 unintended pregnanc...

By Nicole Gray • Nov. 16, 2015

1 in 5 NYC adults face mental health issues

The city plans to follow the report with a citywide mental health initiative.

By Heather Caspi • Nov. 16, 2015

How we talk about healthcare and immigration

While federal immigration policies have stalled, states are taking steps to provide healthcare for undocumented immigrants. 

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 15, 2015

Hawaii struggles with slow federal healthcare enrollment

Hawaii officials are concerned residents won't be able to re-enroll via HealthCare.gov before the Jan. 31, 2016 deadline. 

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 12, 2015

AMA not pleased with megamergers, wrote a letter about it

The mergers will reduce competition and could inadvertently harm patient care, the organization stated.

By Jeff Byers • Nov. 12, 2015

GOP's bill to repeal ACA on track -- with changes

The Parliamentarian of the United States Senate gave the measure a greenlight, but requested changes. 

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 12, 2015

Millennium Health files Chapter 11 bankruptcy after $256M settlement

The move comes after the company agreed to pay a $256 million settlement last month for overbilling federal programs.  

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 12, 2015

Hillary Clinton outlines her steps to improve VA

Speaking at a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in New Hampshire, Clinton vowed to block privatization of the VA. 

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 12, 2015

UPMC awarded $23.9M from Highmark over chemotherapy reimbursement dispute

Highmark could also end up paying an additional $188 million for more unpaid oncology bills. 

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 12, 2015

Report: Half of California's undocumented immigrants could qualify for Medi-Cal

The study comes as a new push to extend coverage in the state.

By Randy Lilleston • Nov. 10, 2015

VA wasted at least $21M on ineligible Medicaid recipients

Recently, VA Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) stated he would continue to attempt to implement Medicaid expansion for the state.

By Jeff Byers • Nov. 10, 2015

CMS announces 2016 Medicare Part B deductibles will remain relatively 'flat'

"[M]ost people with Medicare Part B will be 'held harmless' from any increase in premiums in 2016," the agency stated. 

By Jeff Byers • Nov. 10, 2015

Democratic leaders committed to repeal ACA's Cadillac Tax

Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are working to repeal ObamaCare's Cadillac tax before the upcoming presidential election.

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 10, 2015

Insurance commissioners plea to expand narrow provider networks

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners say narrow networks largely don't provide specialized care.

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 10, 2015

Duke cancer research data used to advertise school confirmed false

What was being called a "new frontier" in cancer treatment has been found too good to be true. 

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 10, 2015

The trials and tribulations of Medicaid expansion

Medicaid expansion to all 50 states may just be a matter of time but GOP resistance remains strong with many watching what governor-elect Matt Bevin will do in Kentucky. 

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 9, 2015

FBI: China cyberattacked US insurers for education

Chinese hackers accessed 78.8 million Anthem customers' personal information.

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 5, 2015

Ohio voters nix legalized medical marijuana

How a declined ballot measure could have set up a foundation for "Big Marijuana."

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 5, 2015

Federal court upholds Medicare's face-to-face narrative rule

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice challenged the validity of Medicare's rule that physicians provide a narrative to document face-to-face patient encounters, alleging home health agencies could be denied claims under the policy.

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 5, 2015

Mental health bill amended by GOP in search of Democratic support

Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) introduced his revised mental health reform legislation earlier this week. 

By Nina Flanagan • Nov. 5, 2015