Government
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Change Healthcare cyberattackChange Healthcare, compromised by stolen credentials, did not have MFA turned on
Failing to turn on multifactor authentication, a common cybersecurity safeguard, “underscores pure negligence on the part of UnitedHealth,” one expert said.
By Matt Kapko • April 30, 2024 -
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Hospitals’ COVID reporting burden to lighten as pandemic-era policies expire
On Wednesday, hospitals will no longer be required to report COVID-19 admissions, capacity or occupancy data to the federal government.
By Susanna Vogel • April 30, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineSocial determinants of health
The focus on social determinants of health has only increased because of the impacts of the pandemic, with payers and providers trying to new ways to address the issues.
By Healthcare Dive staff -
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OpinionMedical research is changing, data privacy laws have not
Congressional inaction regarding health privacy laws robs Americans of ownership over their health data, argues Senator Bill Cassidy, ranking member of the Senate HELP committee.
By Senator Bill Cassidy • April 30, 2024 -
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FDA finalizes lab developed test rule despite industry opposition
Risks associated with the tests have increased, requiring greater oversight to protect patients, the agency contends.
By Susan Kelly • April 29, 2024 -
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FTC broadens health breach notification rule to include apps
Regulators have been pursuing more enforcement actions against health applications sharing consumers’ data. Friday’s final rule should give those actions more heft.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 29, 2024 -
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Deep DiveCalifornia, Oregon eye universal health coverage
The states' proposals, which resemble Medicare for All, need approval from the federal government and face pushback from major health systems and insurers.
By John Canham-Clyne • April 24, 2024 -
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Overturning of Roe v. WadeHHS finalizes reproductive health data protections
HIPAA-covered entities will be barred from disclosing patient records on abortion, IVF or other reproductive healthcare that could be used in an investigation.
By Emily Olsen • April 23, 2024 -
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Nurse staffing rule slammed by both industry and advocacy groups
The rule places stricter staffing requirements on nursing homes than those initially proposed and offers exemptions for certain providers.
By Susanna Vogel • April 23, 2024 -
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FTC votes to ban noncompetes, with far-reaching effects on doctors
The agency estimates the final rule would lower healthcare costs by $194 billion over the next decade, while freeing up physicians to more easily move between employers.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 23, 2024 -
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Medicaid final rules hand hospitals win on supplemental payments
In two final rules issued Monday, the CMS also moved to crack down on financing gimmicks used by states and hospitals to increase federal Medicaid funding — though not until 2028.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 23, 2024 -
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Novant, CHS fire back after FTC sues to block North Carolina hospital sale
The health systems resisted regulators’ allegations that the deal would stifle competition in the Charlotte area.
By Emily Olsen • April 19, 2024 -
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Providers, drugmakers at odds over new 340B dispute resolution process
PhRMA said the new rule “panders to 340B hospitals,” while the American Hospital Association and 340B Health said the rule would preserve the drug discount program’s integrity.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 19, 2024 -
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ACOs led by independent physicians save Medicare ‘substantially’ more money, CBO says
Independent practices have clearer financial incentives to lower medical spending than hospitals participating in accountable care organizations, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 17, 2024 -
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Change Healthcare cyberattackLawmakers raise healthcare consolidation concerns after Change cyberattack
Legislators also slammed UnitedHealth Group, which acquired Change Healthcare nearly two years ago, for not sending a representative to the House subcommittee hearing.
By Emily Olsen • April 16, 2024 -
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Telehealth company Cerebral to pay $7M fine over data sharing
The Federal Trade Commission alleged the digital mental healthcare company had provided sensitive data to third parties and maintained “sloppy” security practices.
By Emily Olsen • April 16, 2024 -
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VA plans to resume Oracle EHR rollout by end of FY 2025, secretary says
The agency needs a single electronic health record that’s more interoperable with the Department of Defense, VA Secretary Denis McDonough told lawmakers.
By Emily Olsen • April 15, 2024 -
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Florida issues Medicaid managed care awards booting out UnitedHealth, CVS and Molina
Meanwhile, Centene, Elevance and Humana held onto statewide contracts. The reprocurement was especially positive for Centene, which had been expected to lose market share, analysts said.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 15, 2024 -
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Medicaid redeterminations
More than 20M disenrolled amid Medicaid redeterminations
Nearly a quarter of adults removed from the safety-net program since early last year said they are uninsured, according to KFF.
By Emily Olsen • April 12, 2024 -
Regeneron
US sues Regeneron, alleging false price reporting on Eylea
The Department of Justice accused Regeneron of defrauding Medicare by knowingly inflating the average sales price for its top-selling eye drug.
By Kristin Jensen • April 11, 2024 -
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CMS proposes 2.6% payment increase for inpatient hospitals next year
Regulators said payments to hospitals would increase $3.2 billion in 2025 under the proposed rule. However, the American Hospital Association called the hike “woefully inadequate.”
By Rebecca Pifer • April 11, 2024 -
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Tracking Steward's declineMassachusetts lawmakers call on regulators to review Steward-UnitedHealth deal
Antitrust agencies could be sympathetic toward the deal, given Steward’s financial distress and important hospital portfolio. But sympathy won’t shield the deal from scrutiny, an expert told Healthcare Dive.
By Susanna Vogel • April 10, 2024 -
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Confusion about Medicaid skewing coverage estimates, study finds
The number of people enrolled in Medicaid soared over the pandemic, but many enrollees may not have known their coverage had continued, new research suggests.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 10, 2024 -
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Michigan divvies out Medicaid contracts, with Centene, Molina seeing minor losses
However, the insurers could protest Michigan’s decision, potentially mitigating membership erosion.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 9, 2024 -
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North Carolina county seeks damages in HCA Mission lawsuit
Buncombe County is seeking to join a lawsuit from the state alleging HCA intentionally understaffed Mission’s emergency department, increased wait times and wasted taxpayer dollars.
By Susanna Vogel • April 9, 2024 -
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CMS caps broker payments in Medicare Advantage
The final rule issued last week prevents insurers from paying brokers additional fees for steering beneficiaries to their plans.
By Rebecca Pifer • April 8, 2024
