ACA special enrollment period sign-ups surged in April

The Biden administration began the SEP primarily to help people who have lost coverage due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic fallout.

By Shannon Muchmore • May 7, 2021

Adagio, flush with cash, launches large study of next-gen COVID-19 antibody

The privately held biotech believes its drug might treat or prevent infections from existing variants and future coronavirus strains, which could make it a threat to marketed therapies from Regeneron and Eli Lilly.

By Kristin Jensen • May 5, 2021

State lawmakers mull out-of-state nurse licenses after pandemic rollbacks

Many tried to join the Nurse Licensure Compact before the pandemic, "but COVID was a kind of glaring example of how the compact could help," Rebecca Fotsch at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing said.

By Hailey Mensik • May 4, 2021

Full speed ahead on interoperability: Q&A with ONC head Micky Tripathi

In a wide-ranging interview, Tripathi addressed what the government can do to build on the regulations, noting further delays are unlikely and predicting industry will soon see further action on codifying disincentives for bad actors.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • May 3, 2021

Kentucky must rebid Medicaid contracts again, judge rules

This ruling puts six insurers at risk of losing their lucrative contracts with the state. It's unclear when the state will rebid the work.

By Samantha Liss • April 30, 2021

CMS finalizes joint replacement pricing extension

Some analysts say the agency's initiative may evolve to put pricing pressure on orthopaedic devices. However, they contend companies can mitigate that threat by selling more products to customers.

By Nick Paul Taylor • April 30, 2021

FDA greenlights device to retrain muscles in stroke patients

The noninvasive brain-computer interface technology uses data from the uninjured side of a patient's brain to recover motor function in the affected arm and hand.

By Susan Kelly • April 29, 2021

In big win for hospitals, CMS pitches nixing mandate to submit some payer-negotiated rates

The proposed rule would also add 1,000 graduate medical education slots over the next five years, with a priority given to facilities in rural areas and with underserved patient populations.

By Shannon Muchmore , Samantha Liss • April 28, 2021

CMS pitches extra year of add-on payments for Boston Scientific, Stryker, other devices

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency is proposing the payments to hospitals be extended beyond the typical timeframe for 14 products.

By Nick Paul Taylor • April 28, 2021

FDA, CDC support resuming use of J&J vaccine after advisory panel vote

While health officials have documented more cases of a rare blood clotting syndrome associated with J&J's vaccine, a CDC committee supported use of the shot with an added warning.

By Ned Pagliarulo , Ben Fidler • Updated April 23, 2021

Senate panel split on Brooks-LaSure nomination after Biden pulls Texas Medicaid waiver

Lawmakers voted along party lines on Biden's pick to lead CMS, with Republicans saying their dissent wasn't due to the nominee's qualifications but the administration's nixing a Trump-era waiver approval in Texas.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 23, 2021

Science groups urge providers not to use certain COVID-19 test data for care decisions

The Association for Molecular Pathology and the Infectious Diseases Society of America say some results run the risk of being misinterpreted due to a lack of standardization across test methods.

By Susan Kelly • April 23, 2021

Survey casts doubt on utility of wearable devices in healthcare

Forrester's report, based on interviews with doctors, patients and vendors, suggests data gaps and physician skepticism of the popular products is too high for widespread adoption, although design changes could remedy that.

By Ron Shinkman • April 22, 2021

ACA navigator funds get massive boost to record level

The agency also said about 12 million people enrolled in an Affordable Care Act plan during the 2021 open enrollment period, a 5% increase from the year prior.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 22, 2021

Value-based care at 'critical juncture,' new CMMI chief says

Even though some testing payment models have been delayed or discarded, CMMI's new leader said the agency remains committed to finding models that reward value not volume.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 20, 2021

J&J to resume vaccine rollout in Europe after regulator says benefits outweigh risks

The EMA, however, recommended a warning be added to highlight a rare but serious side effect. Regulators in the U.S. are expected to soon make a similar decision.

By Ben Fidler , Jonathan Gardner • Updated April 20, 2021

Humana nets nearly $200M in overpayments, OIG audit finds

The watchdog said the payer submitted documentation that inaccurately showed some of its Medicare Advantage members were sicker than they actually were.

By Samantha Liss • April 20, 2021

Healthcare employment steadily rebounding though hospitals left out

Hospital employment has sunk for three consecutive months, according to data from the Altarum Institute, and is down 37,000 jobs since the end of last year.

By Ron Shinkman • April 19, 2021

Advocate Aurora Health's new investment unit is on the hunt for deals

The Midwestern giant joins other nonprofits in launching a for-profit unit to diversify its revenue streams. Some critics question whether the strategy fits with the mission and perks enjoyed by not-for-profit entities.

By Samantha Liss • April 19, 2021

HHS nominees get smooth confirmation hearing

The scene was a contrast to the sometimes heated questioning of HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, who was eventually confirmed by a narrow margin.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 16, 2021

The US paused use of J&J's vaccine. What happens next?

A call by regulators to stop J&J vaccinations won't dramatically disrupt supply in the U.S. But changes in labeling are possible, as is a renewed debate over vaccine hesitancy.

By Ned Pagliarulo , Ben Fidler , Jonathan Gardner • April 14, 2021

CDC panel delays decision on J&J vaccine, extending pause over rare side effect

Advisers to the agency agreed to wait for more data before recommending new guidance, but aim to reconvene quickly to decide whether J&J vaccinations should be resumed, and for whom.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 14, 2021

Medicare sequester cut pause extended through 2021

The 2% cuts were first put on hold more than a year ago through federal coronavirus relief legislation. To pay for the extension, the new bill states the cuts will increase in 2030.

By Hailey Mensik • April 14, 2021

Lawmakers urge HHS to conduct 'vigorous oversight' of hospital price posts after reports of noncompliance

Hospitals are now required to publicly post the prices they negotiate with insurers online, but noncompliance is common. A bipartisan group from the House voiced their discontent in a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

By Samantha Liss • April 14, 2021

Patients hit with surprise medical bills paid ER docs 10 times more than others

The findings published in Health Affairs suggest why some ER groups resist coming in-network with insurers: They stand to collect more in revenue if they stay outside a network, posing a financial risk to patients.

By Samantha Liss • April 13, 2021