Hospitals’ data breach risk doubles just before and after M&A, research finds

The complexity of combining IT systems and increased media attention before a deal could explain hospitals’ increased vulnerability, according to the paper.

By Emily Olsen • Aug. 8, 2023

Cleveland Clinic hires first chief analytics officer

Albert Marinez, who previously held a similar role at Intermountain Health, will focus on using data to cut costs and improve patient care.

By Emily Olsen • Aug. 8, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Payer/provider relationships

As M&A intensifies and companies embrace more holistic and value-based care models, partnerships have become more closely intertwined.

By Healthcare Dive staff

Texas judge rules in favor of doctors in latest suit over surprise billing process

The decision is expected to increase the number of claims providers file in the independent dispute resolution process, especially for smaller amounts, according to a health lawyer.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 7, 2023

Kaiser Permanente in the black for second quarter, after loss in 2022

CFO Kathy Lancaster said Kaiser is ready to face the second half of the year after posting a $2.1 billion profit in the second quarter.

By Susanna Vogel • Aug. 7, 2023

Health insurers ignore surprise billing decisions, providers allege

Payers didn’t reimburse doctors in more than half of arbitration award cases, according to a survey from clinician group Americans for Fair Health Care.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 4, 2023

Centura fold finalized; CommonSpirit and AdventHealth divvy up hospital portfolio

On Monday, the two health systems announced their joint venture, Centura Health, has officially dissolved after almost three decades.

By Susanna Vogel • Aug. 3, 2023

CHS announces new strategic initiatives to get back in black

After CHS posted a net income loss of $38 million on Wednesday, leadership told investors they have a plan to recover.

By Susanna Vogel • Aug. 3, 2023

How Henry Ford Health uses data to combat inflation and improve its supply chain

The health system leverages data to track costs, engage with suppliers and fortify itself against future disruptions.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Aug. 3, 2023

Hospital mergers led to diminished quality of care, Elevance study finds

The study from the Blues payer is the latest finding hospital acquisitions lead to increased readmissions and higher costs for patients.

By Susanna Vogel • Aug. 2, 2023

CMS finalizes 3.1% inpatient payment bump for hospitals

Hospitals decried the rate adjustment, which is higher than the 2.8% proposed earlier this year, as out of touch with their financial reality.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 2, 2023

Tenet posts $123M profit on strong surgical demand, lower contract labor costs

Tenet is the third for-profit hospital to raise its revenue forecast for the year following its second quarter performance.

By Susanna Vogel • Aug. 1, 2023

Operating margins improve, but hospitals still face high expenses: Kaufman Hall

Most hospitals underperformed in June, which the consultancy attributes to a growing gap between affluent and poor hospitals.

By Emily Olsen • Aug. 1, 2023

Marginalized patients more likely to be skipped over in emergency departments, study finds

Black, Hispanic or Latino, Spanish-speaking and Medicaid patients are more likely to be jumped over in line, which increases their odds of leaving the hospital before receiving treatment.

By Emily Olsen • July 31, 2023

Hospital, payer lobbies urge CMS to reconsider ‘conflicting’ prior authorization standards

The groups, normally at odds, have found a source of agreement in proposed rules meant to standardize data exchange processes.

By Brian T. Horowitz • July 31, 2023

Sanford-Fairview merger dead, following significant stakeholder pressures

Sanford and Fairview explored all options to keep the merger viable, but ultimately were forced to end the process due to a lack of support in Minnesota, Sanford CEO Bill Gassen said.

By Susanna Vogel • July 28, 2023

HCA raises full-year outlook on strengthening admissions

The hospital chain's second quarter earnings beat Wall Street’s expectations on Thursday, as revenue rose off of increased utilization of inpatient and outpatient services.

By Susanna Vogel • July 27, 2023

UHS beat Wall Street estimates for Q2 earnings on ‘high demand’ at acute care hospitals

The hospital operator raised lower-bound revenue expectations for 2023 after reporting a year-over-year increase in profit and revenue.

By Susanna Vogel • July 26, 2023

This year will not bring ‘full rebound’ for nonprofit hospitals

Many nonprofit hospitals suffered their worst operational year on record in 2022. This year is unlikely to bring a complete end to financial hardships, according to Fitch Ratings.

By Susanna Vogel • July 25, 2023

Average cost of healthcare data breach reaches $11M, report finds

Healthcare continues to be the most expensive industry for data breaches, with costs increasing 53% since 2020.

By Emily Olsen • July 25, 2023

New antitrust merger guidelines could have significant chilling effect on healthcare deals

Regulators have historically struggled to make a case against complex and non-traditional tie-ups. That could change with the new guidelines.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 21, 2023

FTC, OCR warn hospitals, telehealth companies about tracking tech

The regulatory agencies sent a joint letter to roughly 130 hospitals and telehealth providers outlining the risks of using online tracking technologies that might disclose sensitive consumer information.

By Emily Olsen • July 21, 2023

COVID relief funds helped some hospitals soar to ‘all-time high’ operating margins

The findings led JAMA researchers to conclude pandemic relief funds “may not have been necessary” for some for-profit hospitals and affiliated health systems.

By Susanna Vogel • July 19, 2023

Teladoc expands Microsoft partnership to add AI documentation tools

The telehealth company plans to integrate Microsoft’s AI-enabled notetaking tools into its hospital platform, allowing physicians to automatically transcribe clinical notes during virtual patient exams.

By Emily Olsen • July 18, 2023

FTC withdraws ‘outdated’ antitrust policy statements. Hospitals cry foul.

Hospital groups said they were deeply disappointed with the decision, which removes a guidepost for those looking to consolidate without attracting the ire of regulators.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 18, 2023

HCA faces class action lawsuit after data breach

The largest health system in the country reported a data security incident this month after information was taken from an external storage location and posted online, affecting an estimated 11 million patients.

By Emily Olsen • July 17, 2023