EHRs can nudge docs toward prescribing fewer opioids, study finds

The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine created a default system that physicians could overrule to prescribe more tablets, but the report found fewer opioids prescribed above the default limit.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 22, 2018

Premier Health to consolidate its two Dayton hospitals

Good Samaritan Hospital’s closure will affect 1,600 employees.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 19, 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

Most top hospital online reviews are lukewarm or negative

An analysis of thousands of online reviews on Yelp found the vast majority of complaints are not connected to quality of care.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 19, 2018

Health systems wade into drug manufacturing, eyeing prices and shortages

The systems — which include Intermountain and Ascension — continue the trend toward industry convergence with the creation of a nonprofit generic drug company.

By Jeff Byers , Meg Bryant , Suzanne Elvidge • Jan. 19, 2018

Rural hospitals need flexible policies to survive, report says

The paper called for opportunities that let rural communities define their own needs and service sets, including transforming some hospitals from small inpatient care centers to new models like rural emergency centers.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 18, 2018

Trump administration plans review of Stark Law regulations

An inter-agency working group will consider ways to revise the anti-kickback law. 

By Les Masterson • Jan. 18, 2018

More than half of US physicians burned out, new study finds

Burnout continues to permeate throughout the healthcare workforce, with physicians, intensivists, internists and OB-GYN experiencing the highest rates, according to a new Medscape report.

By Jeff Byers • Jan. 18, 2018

Hancock Health, Coplin Health Systems hit with cyberattacks

Indiana-based Hancock Health said patient data does not appear to have been compromised.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 17, 2018

Hospitals, payers and docs collaborate on prior authorization

Trade groups for major healthcare players say they share a "commitment to industry-wide improvements to prior authorization processes and patient-centered care."  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 17, 2018

Providers fight back in court against online reviews

"If your feelings are hurt or you think the person is just being mean, I don't think the court is going to grant that," says healthcare attorney Erika Adler.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 17, 2018

FDA works to ease IV shortages after Hurricane Maria

U.S. saline and drug shortages are still challenging.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Jan. 17, 2018

Study shows telemedicine potential in EDs

Researchers found door-to-provider time was shorter for telemedicine patients in emergency departments.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 16, 2018

Brown University makes alternative Care New England bid

CNE is still in exclusive merger discussions with Partners but Brown's president stated that deal "would be wrong for Rhode Island and for Brown."

By Jeff Byers • Jan. 16, 2018

CBO analyzes pricing disparities between physician services, Medicare

The agency compared the prices three major insurers paid for common services against Medicare's fee-for-service program. The difference is substantial.

By Tony Abraham • Jan. 16, 2018

MetroHealth unveils 'hospital in a park' project

The plan will transform a 52-acre site into a "green, transit- and pedestrian-friendly zone" and increase green space to 25 acres.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 15, 2018

CHS to sell off more hospitals this year

Chinese investor Tianqiao Chen has upped his stake in Community Health Systems to 24%.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 12, 2018

Trump admin's new bundle bid shows value-based care's staying power

Advocates of value-based payment reform breathed a sigh of relief last week when CMS announced a new bundled payment model.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 12, 2018

ACA did little to boost hospital community benefit spending, study shows

Average spending on community benefits increased 0.5% from 2010 to 2014.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 11, 2018

ACOs flock to Medicare Shared Savings Program

Most of the ACOs in a risk-based contract chose Track 1+, which is the latest risk model.   

By Les Masterson • Jan. 11, 2018

CMS extends Maryland all-payer program for another year

Maryland is working with the agency on a larger proposal to include outpatient services.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 10, 2018

CMS launches new, voluntary bundled payment model

The Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced program will be considered an advanced alternative payment model for the purposes of MACRA reporting.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 10, 2018

Tenet increases company layoffs to 2K

The hospital operator recently announced plans to divest two properties and expects to reap millions in lower taxes from the new tax law. 

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 9, 2018

Health Affairs: Ending Medicaid expansion would cause rural hospitals to go under

Researchers found Medicaid expansion improved hospital finances and meant a substantially lower chance that hospitals — especially rural facilities — closed.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 9, 2018

Large health systems speak out about MACRA

Larger companies questioned the burden MACRA will put on providers and also whether low-volume exemptions will slow Medicare's transition to a value-based system.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 8, 2018

Avalere: Value-based care movement will overcome speed bumps this year

The annual report predicted a year full of changes to the healthcare system, including additional attempts to repeal the ACA, mergers and technological changes.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 8, 2018