Beth Israel-Lahey Health merger would sharply hike health costs, Mass. panel finds

The attorney general has also raised concerns about the proposed deal, which would result in one of the largest mergers in the state’s history.

By Meg Bryant • July 20, 2018

UnitedHealth eyes Tenet's healthcare management business, WSJ reports

Tenet is still weighing whether to sell Conifer, which accounted for 8% of the company's revenue in 2017.

By Meg Bryant • July 20, 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

Maryland broadens hospital price transparency initiative

The Maryland Health Care Commission website helps consumers compare prices for common non-emergency procedures and now includes new payer data.

By Tony Abraham • July 20, 2018

Docs still not all in on virtual care, Deloitte study says

The consultancy suggests including frontline physicians in defining telemedicine goals and formal training on the technology.

By Meg Bryant • July 20, 2018

Health Catalyst rolls out new hospital safety surveillance tool

The Surveillance Module is part of the company's Patient Safety Monitor suite.

By Meg Bryant • July 19, 2018

Tenet completes exit of Chicago market with 3-hospital sale

The for-profit chain has been slowly pulling itself out of debt with hospital sales and a major restructuring last year.

By Meg Bryant • July 19, 2018

Blockchain shows promise in improving interoperability, IDC report says

Providers are starting to use blockchain to assist in operations management and patient identification.

By Meg Bryant • July 19, 2018

Lifespan hospitals in Rhode Island expect upcoming strike to cost $10M

More than 2,400 health professionals at two hospitals plan to strike next week after failing to agree to a new contract.

By Les Masterson • July 19, 2018

Hikma ramping up injectable opioid output for US hospitals

The American Medical Association declared drug shortages to be a national public health emergency last month, and the stream of opioids available to providers has continued to dry up.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • July 19, 2018

Healthcare consumerism efforts lacking, report finds

Payers are outperforming providers and pharma companies in data use, implementing information from wearable tech, claims and clinical forms, according to the Prophet study.

By Les Masterson • July 19, 2018

U.S. News updates Best Hospitals methodology

The calculations will now include new measures on readmission prevention and patient experience.

By Meg Bryant • July 18, 2018

Veterans Health Administration shifts leadership

Booz Allen Hamilton consultant Richard Stone, a former VHA executive under David Shulkin, has returned to lead the administration temporarily. He'll replace Carolyn Clancy, who has been reassigned to an R&D position within VHA. 

By Tony Abraham • July 18, 2018

Roche experimental flu drug clears second Phase 3

The Swiss pharma has already submitted the antiviral for U.S. approval, with a decision expected by late December.

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 18, 2018

Hospitals not drowning in doctor costs, survey finds

More than 20% of respondents to a Modern Healthcare survey said hiring additional doctors has actually boosted their finances.

By Meg Bryant • July 17, 2018

Anthem sued by doc groups over ED policy

American College of Emergency Physicians President Paul Kivela called the policy dangerous in expecting patients to know the difference between minor or potentially life-threatening conditions.

By Les Masterson • July 17, 2018

Walmart taps former Humana exec to lead health unit

Reports that the retailer is in early talks to acquire Humana surfaced in late March but have been tamped down to a conversation about strengthening the companies' partnership.

By Tony Abraham • July 17, 2018

Industry groups launch guide for managing high-need, high-cost patients

Patients with complex medical, social and behavioral needs make up 5% of the U.S. population but account for roughly 50% of annual healthcare spending.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • July 16, 2018

Docs shouldn't be held accountable for healthcare costs, NEJM survey finds

Industry experts say out-of-pocket costs are important to patients but there are multiple barriers to properly educating them about healthcare pricing.

By Les Masterson • July 16, 2018

Healthcare sector leads in costs for data breaches, study finds

For mega breaches, the cost to an organization can run from $40 million to $350 million in lost business, recovery efforts and tarnished reputation.

By Meg Bryant • July 13, 2018

CMS pitches expanded telemed billing, fewer MIPS measures

A proposed payment rule includes streamlining coding and setting new payments for virtual check-ins and examinations of patient-submitted images. More unpopular is a requirement to meet 2015 EHR standards by next year.

By Tony Abraham • July 12, 2018

Slashing costs at top of hospital CEO minds

Executives also care about boosting their organization's outpatient market and meeting consumer demands, according to an Advisory Board Company survey.

By Meg Bryant • July 12, 2018

EHRs tied to lower hospital mortality, but only with time and experience

Small and nonteaching hospitals showed the biggest gains with each new EHR function, with death rates down 0.26% and 0.21% respectively.

By Meg Bryant • July 11, 2018

EHRs combined with nurse-led support improved medication compliance

A JAMA study showed the potential and limitations of nurse educators and EHRs.

By Les Masterson • July 11, 2018

CMS will let providers withdraw retroactively from BPCI-A

The agency is not, however, delaying the program's Oct. 1 start date.

By Les Masterson • July 11, 2018

Reducing medical errors requires multifaceted approach, study finds

A large national survey found physician burnout and low work unit safety grades are independently associated with major medical errors.

By Meg Bryant • July 10, 2018