Trump admin seeks relaxed grandfathered ACA health plan rules that up out-of-pocket costs

The proposed rule acknowledged that changes could lead to higher deductibles and other costs for an estimated 23.1 million enrollees in such plans and lead to more people foregoing healthcare.

By Ron Shinkman • July 13, 2020

Shelter-in-place orders prevented as many as 370K deaths, Health Affairs finds

A new study in the journal Health Affairs concluded statewide shelter-in-place orders were effective in cutting down hospitalizations and deaths caused by COVID-19.

By Ron Shinkman • July 10, 2020

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

HHS to funnel additional $4B in coronavirus aid to safety net, suburban providers

Some acute care hospitals didn't qualify for the previous round of funding even though they serve as critical safety-net facilities within their communities. Friday's announcement expands the definition.

By Samantha Liss • July 10, 2020

Sutter loses bid to delay $575M antitrust settlement approval

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a plaintiff, applauded the ruling. "Sutter's practices harmed California's healthcare market ... long before the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

By Shannon Muchmore • July 10, 2020

Fitch: Repaying Medicare loans unlikely to place significant burden on for-profit operators

The ratings agency, however, is assuming there is a strong rebound in elective procedures during the second half of the year, which may need to be reconsidered if the disruption lasts longer than anticipated.

By Samantha Liss • July 9, 2020

As lab giants 'push the frontiers' of capacity, Trump admin pegs hopes on POC tests

Brett Giroir, the administration's lead for coronavirus diagnostics, said the goal is for rapid point-of-care tests from Abbott, BD and Quidel, performed outside of lab settings, to alleviate commercial testing capacity constraints.

By Greg Slabodkin • July 9, 2020

Democrats urge Trump administration to force full payer COVID-19 test coverage

The insurance lobby did not refute claims that not all testing is funded in full, particularly for return-to-work programs. Lawmakers said CMS guidance conflicts with legislation meant to spur widespread access to testing.

By Samantha Liss • July 8, 2020

Here are doctors' offices, hospitals that got COVID-19 paycheck protection loans over $150K

"Had we not gotten paycheck protection, with the decrease in patient volume we saw, we would have had to terminate employees," Beverly Jordan, a physician at a small rural practice in Enterprise, Alabama, told Healthcare Dive.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated July 8, 2020

CMS proposes add-on provider payment for at-home dialysis treatment

The agency said Monday the need for more at-home care has never been more urgent, as the ESRD population has the highest rate of hospitalization due to COVID-19 among Medicare beneficiaries.

By Samantha Liss • July 7, 2020

CDC gets FDA nod for coronavirus-flu combination diagnostic

The emergency use authorization comes months after BioFire and Qiagen got backing for similar tests and as the coming flu season adds a new complexity to diagnosis.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 7, 2020

With new funding, FCC rural healthcare program set to provide most money in its history

Nearly $200 million in unused funds from prior years are being carried over. The total amount now available to applicants is about $800 million.

By Shannon Muchmore • July 1, 2020

Oklahoma votes to expand Medicaid as COVID-19 surges in state

The vote was close, passing by less than one percentage point. The results throw a wrench into Republican hopes to cap Medicaid funding and follow ballot measures in other deep red states approving expansion.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • July 1, 2020

HHS 'expects to renew' COVID-19 emergency, spokesman says

The department did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday morning. The public health emergency is currently set to expire at the end of July.

By Shannon Muchmore • June 30, 2020

Gilead sets price for COVID-19 drug remdesivir

A typical course of treatment with remdesivir will cost between $2,340 and $3,120 in the U.S., a price range that likely ensures Gilead earns a profit on sales of the drug.

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 29, 2020

Labs warn COVID-19 testing demand will top capacity soon as new hotspots emerge

With the spike in coronavirus cases into the South and West, commercial labs such as Quest Diagnostics say they don't have the resources to keep up and warn turnaround times will likely slow.

By Greg Slabodkin • June 29, 2020

Primary care physicians could take $15 billion hit due to COVID-19 in 2020

A new study in the journal Health Affairs concludes that the nation's primary care practices have come under threat due to the financial pressures caused by COVID-19.

By Ron Shinkman • June 26, 2020

As Americans lose job-based coverage, ACA marketplace sets record with near 500K signups

The pandemic has ravaged the economy, severing millions of Americans from health insurance. Many have turned to the Affordable Care Act exchanges to maintain coverage.

By Samantha Liss • June 26, 2020

CMS wants to make home health telemedicine permanent

The Trump administration is also looking to change payment rates for home health providers that would increase Medicare payments by 2.6%, or roughly $540 million, for the 2021 calendar year.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 26, 2020

Short-term 'junk' plans widely discriminate against those with pre-existing conditions, House probe finds

An HHS spokesperson defended the coverage as an affordable option to pricier Affordable Care Act plans, telling Healthcare Dive, "We've been abundantly clear that these plans aren't for everyone." AHIP made similar points.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 25, 2020

Fauci: Trump never asked to slow down testing, 'cautiously optimistic' about vaccine by 2021

Longtime infectious disease official Anthony Fauci characterized the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. as a "mixed bag" and said the "next couple of weeks are going to be critical" as schools debate reopening.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 24, 2020

Medicare Advantage plans could see payments drop in 2021 due to COVID-19, analysis finds

A new analysis by Avalere Health concludes that multiple Medicare Advantage claims dropped dramatically in April due to COVID-19, a trend that could depress payments to insurers in 2021.

By Ron Shinkman • June 23, 2020

AHA appeals price transparency case after judge sides with HHS

In its appeal, the hospital lobby characterized HHS' latest interpretation of the section on price disclosures as "obscure" and "far fetched."

By Samantha Liss , Hailey Mensik • Updated July 20, 2020

Hospital group CEOs pitch more federal aid, looser Medicare loan terms

The provider executives said a looming deadline to repay accelerated Medicare loans, Aug. 1, is too soon given the ongoing economic stress on hospitals.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 23, 2020

HCA nurses issue 10-day strike notice at California hospital

The nurses plan to strike from Friday through July 6, prior to starting contract negotiations with the biggest for-profit hospital chain on July 7.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated June 23, 2020

AMA calls out insurer 'inaction' on prior authorization reform, wants legislative fix

A survey of physicians shows efforts to revamp requirements have stalled, according to the group, which is turning to a bill introduced last year in the House as a way forward without more buy-in from insurers.

By Samantha Liss • June 23, 2020