Q&A with Jefferson Health's new chief medical social media officer

Doctors are now helping lead efforts on social media to combat misinformation and reach patients more directly.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 27, 2018

Dignity, CHI delay merger 1 month

The deal is now expected to be complete Jan. 31.

By Kim Dixon • Dec. 24, 2018

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

JAMA findings suggest 'unintended harm' from Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program

The study shows an association between the program and 30-day post-discharge mortality in heart failure patients.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 21, 2018

Tennessee jury rules for doctors in $58M case against Wellmont

Highlands Physicians accused the health system of breaching contractual agreements and signing payer contracts outside its physician network.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 21, 2018

Most hospitals sharing data, but challenges remain, ONC says

A majority of hospitals use a mix of electronic and nonelectronic methods to send and receive patient care summaries, the new analysis shows.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 20, 2018

PeaceHealth inks deal to purchase on-demand startup Zoom+Care

The move comes as providers and retailers are eyeing opportunities in the primary care space.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 20, 2018

Twisting the trend, Providence St. Joseph snags another tech exec

The health system has tapped Microsoft's AI and commerce exec B.J. Moore to be its Chief Information Officer.

By Tony Abraham • Dec. 20, 2018

Study finds 'mixed messages' in Medicare hospital ratings, penalty programs

The report echoes other findings that question the usefulness of hospital rankings.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 19, 2018

ACA ruling could upend Medicaid expansion

Policy experts say it's hard to overstate the chaos the ruling would create if it stands, although many legal scholars doubt it will be upheld. Still, some managed care companies have contingency plans.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 19, 2018

Judge calls for expedited briefings in ACA case

The parties have until Friday to file their responses on whether a stay is warranted, whether the court should enter partial final judgment on the order and whether the court should certify the order for immediate repeal.

By Shannon Muchmore , Tony Abraham • Dec. 19, 2018

CMS raises questions over ties between accrediting agencies, healthcare facilities

The agency is concerned financial transactions may create a conflict of interest and "erode the public's trust" in the accrediting process.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 19, 2018

Labor board will charge Kaiser for refusing to bargain, union says

NLRB will prosecute Kaiser before the end of the year if it does not settle with union workers, according to an email obtained by Healthcare Dive. The health system said the decision is not a verdict, but the start of a hearing process.

By Tony Abraham • Dec. 18, 2018

As providers merge, states look to supersede FTC

Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia all recently passed laws to protect mergers from being blocked by federal antitrust regulators — in exchange for state regulation and prolonged oversight. 

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 18, 2018

One-third of healthcare employees say their company targeted by cybercriminals more than once

More than a quarter of those surveyed said their organization experienced a ransomware attack in the past year, according to a Kaspersky Lab report.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 18, 2018

Don't count on stock market to keep hospitals afloat, report warns

Hospitals average about 47% of their net margin in investment income revenue, according to a recent Juniper Advisory analysis.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 14, 2018

DOJ takes up lawsuit accusing Sutter Health of cheating Medicare

The whistleblower lawsuit alleges the California health system and an affiliate manipulated diagnosis codes to inflate payments.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 13, 2018

Ardent Health Services files for IPO

The Nashville-based hospital operator plans to use the proceeds to pay off debt.

By Samantha Liss • Dec. 13, 2018

Kaiser cancels some surgeries with 4K mental health therapists on strike

The workers are on the fourth day of their five-day strike. The health system is putting off some non-urgent surgeries after nurses began striking in sympathy.

By Tony Abraham • Dec. 13, 2018

1 in 5 patients at high risk of socioeconomic health problem, survey finds

Patients who discuss their social determinant of health challenges with a clinician are more likely to accept help, according to the study. Younger patients, while twice as likely to discuss, are less receptive to assistance.

By Tony Abraham • Dec. 12, 2018

Partners HealthCare reports 489% jump in FY18 operating income

A drop in insurance revenue contributed to a 0.5% dip in operating revenue for the Boston-based nonprofit health system.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 11, 2018

Trinity Health's Illinois hospital purchase helps drive revenues

The health system also announced CEO Richard Gilfillan will step down in June. He'll be replaced by current COO Michael Slubowski.

By Les Masterson • Dec. 11, 2018

Envision, UnitedHealthcare settle fierce nationwide contract squabble

If the two giant for-profit companies hadn't reached a deal, 27 million privately insured Americans could have been slammed with surprise emergency room bills as early as January.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 11, 2018

Payer, hospital groups trade blame on surprise billing

The problem of patients unexpectedly getting a bill for out-of-network services is common and growing, especially for people getting emergency room care.

By Les Masterson • Dec. 11, 2018

Provider interest in RCM tools growing, survey shows

More than half of providers plan to adopt web payments technology in the coming year, Billing Tree reports.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 10, 2018

Hospital labor skirmishes — 2018 in review

The year was marked by heated negotiations over staffing and wages. Here's a month-by-month breakdown of how it went down.

By Tony Abraham • Dec. 10, 2018