AdventHealth sues MultiPlan for alleged ‘cartel’ with health insurers to fix prices

The health system alleges providers have lost at least $19 billion per year as a direct result of MultiPlan’s anticompetitive agreements with major payers, including UnitedHealth, Aetna and Elevance.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Aug. 14, 2023

NLRB says HCA Healthcare ‘unilaterally implemented’ pandemic pay program without union’s input

The NLRB ordered the hospital system to rescind its pandemic pay program.

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 11, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Provider burnout

Hospitals are still struggling with provider burnout, after the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated underlying staffing issues and prompted workers to quit their jobs.

By Healthcare Dive staff

Healthcare M&A hit three-year low in Q2, report finds

Continuing financial pressures could keep deal-making low in the second half of the year, but M&A could heat up in early 2024, a new KPMG report finds.

By Emily Olsen • Aug. 10, 2023

For-profit hospitals beat Q2 expectations on rising admissions, expense improvements

Rebounding volume, including increased demand for elective surgeries, boosted toplines for HCA, Tenet, CHS and UHS in the second quarter.

By Susanna Vogel • Aug. 10, 2023

Hospital prices twice as high for commercial plans than MA when negotiated by same payer, study finds

Large national insurers had higher price ratios than other payers, an analysis in Health Affairs found.

By Emily Olsen • Aug. 9, 2023

Hospital CEO turnover remained low in 2022, but recent data suggests uptick

Hospital CEO turnover remained depressed last year, according to one report, but separate research suggests executive changes were on the rise as of June.

By Susanna Vogel • Aug. 9, 2023

Senators crack down on nonprofit hospitals’ charity care, tax-exempt status

The letter, sent by a bipartisan group of senators to tax commissioners, comes as the federal government increases scrutiny into nonprofit hospitals’ charity care spending.

By Sydney Halleman • Aug. 9, 2023

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

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 Parduhn • 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 Parduhn • 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 Parduhn • 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