Trump admin proposes easing HIPAA to foster value-based care, COVID-19 contact tracing

If finalized, the changes would loosen a number of long-held standards for the privacy of medical records and other protected health information.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 11, 2020

CMS looks to crack down on prior authorization

The American Hospital Association cheered the news but was disappointed the proposal excluded Medicare Advantage plans.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 11, 2020

FTC loses bid to stop Philadelphia hospital merger

The agency has reached an agreement with Jefferson Health to bar its acquisition of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network until 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

By Samantha Liss • Updated Dec. 15, 2020

FDA advisers meet to review Pfizer, BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine

A panel of vaccine and infectious disease experts will publicly vet the drugmakers' study results on Thursday. Follow the discussion along with BioPharma Dive reporters here.

By Ned Pagliarulo , Ben Fidler , Jonathan Gardner • Updated Dec. 10, 2020

The Healthcare Dive Awards for 2020

This year was unprecedented as healthcare workers around the globe battled the novel coronavirus. From those on the front lines to virtual care standout Teladoc, here are the people and companies that rose to the challenge.

By Healthcare Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Hospitals prepare to reveal prices online come Jan. 1

"Hospitals are generally very compliant. They are rule-following organizations," said Delphine O'Rourke, a partner at the firm Goodwin. But it may be hard for some rural facilities to meet the deadline as they're pressed by the pandemic.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 8, 2020

FDA scientists appear supportive of Pfizer, BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine

Agency staff didn't raise any red flags in their review of the companies' study results, documents released ahead of a key advisory committee meeting Thursday show.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 8, 2020

ACA defender Becerra tapped for Biden's HHS chief

The California attorney general has voiced opposition to provider consolidation in his state, alleging anticompetitive practices by regional powerhouse Sutter Health and denying a hospital system merger.

By Shannon Muchmore • Dec. 7, 2020

MedPAC mulls cautious approach to bumping hospital pay amid pandemic

Commissioners of the influential advisory group seemed largely supportive of the draft recommendation that calls for a base payment increase of 2% for acute care hospitals.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 7, 2020

CMMI rolls out geographic model it calls among 'largest bets on value-based care to date'

The program will enlist direct contracting entities, which can include ACOs, health systems and provider groups or health plans, to take responsibility for the total cost of care for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries in their region.

By Shannon Muchmore • Dec. 4, 2020

Trump admin rips up inpatient only surgery list, cuts 340B pay

CMS said the move will allow doctors and consumers more choices of where a procedure can be performed, but hospitals have decried the sweeping changes.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 3, 2020

Trump admin rolls out effort to standardize patient address by close of 2021

Promoting interoperability has been a key health IT priority for CMS, though the COVID-19 pandemic has further hamstrung efforts.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 3, 2020

CDC panel recommends giving first coronavirus vaccines to healthcare workers, nursing home residents

Advisers on the panel cited risk and disease burden as reasons for setting their priority list as initial vaccine supplies will be extremely limited.

By Jonathan Gardner • Dec. 2, 2020

CMS makes some telehealth coverage permanent, finalizes specialty rate cuts

The final physician fee schedule includes a significant increase to payments for evaluation and management visits, but specialty providers blasted the cuts for their services.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 2, 2020

CMS expands ability for hospital-level care at home as Thanksgiving surge expected

Six health systems, including Brigham and Women's and Mount Sinai Health System, were immediately granted waivers for the new program to treat more than 60 acute conditions.

By Shannon Muchmore • Nov. 30, 2020

Moderna to ask FDA for emergency approval of coronavirus vaccine

New results confirm the shot's strong efficacy against COVID-19 and should raise confidence vaccination can prevent against severe symptoms as well.

By Ben Fidler • Nov. 30, 2020

Medical device makers get more flexibility with value-based care in Stark, anti-kickback final rules

The changes include two safe harbor pathways and "allow you to do things that otherwise might violate the kickback statute or the Stark Law. So, that is always welcome in the industry," one lawyer said.

By Ricky Zipp • Nov. 25, 2020

COVID-19 is making it harder for some middle income patients to pay premiums, deductibles: report

The economic impact from COVID-19 could make it harder for workers to pay for their share of employee-sponsored healthcare coverage, a survey from The Commonwealth Fund found.

By Ron Shinkman • Nov. 24, 2020

In last minute agenda push, Trump admin rolls back Stark, anti-kickback rules

The final regs issued Friday are slated to take effect Jan. 19, one day before President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated. A new administration could still change them, though experts called that unlikely.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Nov. 23, 2020

Trump admin pushes last-ditch plan to lower drug prices

The American Hospital Association blasted one measure it said will significantly cut reimbursement for coming "in the middle of a pandemic with cases at record levels, and with less than six weeks’ notice."

By Jonathan Gardner , Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 20, 2020

Hospitals scramble to get ready for coronavirus vaccines

From ultra-cold storage capabilities to extra security staff, facilities are bracing now for their pivotal role in vaccine distribution.

By Shannon Muchmore • Nov. 19, 2020

Is Amazon's pharmacy foray disruptive? Experts disagree.

Analysts are split on the impact of the e-commerce giant finally entering the space in full force. Either way, it's unwelcome news for heavyweights like CVS and Walgreens.

By Samantha Liss • Nov. 18, 2020

FDA OKs first fully at-home COVID-19 test as US cases surge

Though the test is expected to be available nationally by early spring through healthcare providers, it will first be made available in the "near future" to patients of Sutter Health in Northern California and Cleveland Clinic Florida.

By Greg Slabodkin • Nov. 18, 2020

Moderna's vaccine can last for weeks in a refrigerator, expanding an edge on rivals

Pharmacies and doctor's offices should be able to store Moderna's shot on site, a crucial advantage for the mass immunization challenge that lies ahead.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 17, 2020

Moderna says vaccine prevents COVID-19 in large study as virus surges

The results, on par with those reported by Pfizer and BioNTech last week, come as health systems nationwide scramble to prepare for eventual distribution of shots that healthcare workers will be among the first to get.

By Ben Fidler • Nov. 16, 2020