S&P says risk of hospital operator defaults plummet from last year's highs

Officials credit coronavirus relief legislation for getting providers through the most difficult tumult of COVID-19 and keeping them financially stable even though patient volumes are still depressed.

By Ron Shinkman • March 12, 2021

Lawmakers mull greater federal healthcare worker protections

President Joe Biden in January issued an executive order directing OSHA to consider an emergency temporary standard and issue one if necessary by Monday, a move opposed by the American Hospital Association.

By Hailey Mensik • March 12, 2021

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

Hospitals lift curtain on prices, revealing giant swings in pricing by procedure

The eye-popping variations demonstrate "the total insanity of American healthcare pricing," Niall Brennan, CEO of the Health Care Cost Institute, said.

By Samantha Liss , Nami Sumida • March 11, 2021

4 key elements of the COVID-19 relief legislation for providers and payers

President Joe Biden signed the legislation Thursday afternoon, but provider groups immediately called on Congress to pass a new bill extending the pause on Medicare sequester cuts.

By Shannon Muchmore , Samantha Liss , Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated March 12, 2021

Most hospital workers don't have greater risk of COVID-19 due to their jobs, study finds

The JAMA Network Open authors said the findings give "reassurance that current infection prevention practices in diverse healthcare settings are effective in preventing transmission" of the coronavirus from patient to provider.

By Ron Shinkman • March 10, 2021

Vast majority of hospitals say they have an AI strategy, up from just half last year

Actually implementing and scaling the tech is still a challenge, despite the rise in awareness and adoption, a Sage Growth report found.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 10, 2021

Sutter's $575M antitrust settlement gains preliminary approval

To put the settlement in motion, it must first be approved by a judge. Tuesday's order moves the case one step closer to final approval.

By Samantha Liss • March 10, 2021

Non-operating income helps Providence claw back into black for 2020

The system, which operates 51 hospitals spanning seven states, posted drastic losses in the first half of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but closed out the year on more stable financial footing.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 9, 2021

Coronavirus relief bill with rural hospital aid passes Senate

The nearly $2 trillion bill also includes billions for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing as well as extra subsidies to help people buy health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 8, 2021

Trinity's Chicago Mercy Hospital enters deal to avert closing doors

The safety net hospital entered a nonbinding agreement to be acquired by Insight, which operates a small hospital and biotechnology venture outside of Detroit, after filing for bankruptcy last month.

By Ron Shinkman • March 5, 2021

800 Tenet nurses striking in Massachusetts with no end date

The Massachusetts hospital spent $1.7 million on replacement nurses with a final $3.7 million payment due Friday. It is unclear when the two sides will meet again for another negotiation session.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated March 9, 2021

Sutter launches 'sweeping review' of finances after $321M operating loss

The Northern California giant said it faced one of the toughest financial periods in its 100-year history due to the pandemic and warned it would take several years to recover.

By Samantha Liss • March 5, 2021

Georgia health systems discard merger plans, averting FTC challenge

The tie-up between two of the largest systems in central Georgia would have led to "significant harm" for area residents and businesses in the form of higher healthcare costs, the agency alleged.

By Samantha Liss • March 4, 2021

Hospital-backed housing brings positive social return on investment: Health Affairs

Researchers used a "triple bottom line" approach to assess the effects of Bon Secours' housing program on the local economy, environment and people.

By Hailey Mensik • March 2, 2021

4 healthcare antitrust issues to watch

The FTC is looking to get more aggressive with anticompetitive tie-ups while states eye ways to beef up oversight. And if handed the reins of HHS, Xavier Becerra would likely put an antitrust lens to potential rules.

By Samantha Liss • March 1, 2021

Mayo Clinic's 2020 profit down, but net assets increase considerably

In December, the nonprofit system returned nearly half of the federal coronavirus relief funds it received. That's on top of sending back advanced Medicare payments earlier in the year.

By Ron Shinkman • March 1, 2021

FTC abandons challenge to Jefferson Health-Einstein merger, allowing deal to proceed

The union between the two Philadelphia providers, first announced two years ago, is now expected to close within six months.

By Samantha Liss • Updated March 1, 2021

Hospitals likely upcoding severity levels for Medicare patients, OIG says

The most expensive hospital stays increased 20% over the six years studied, which were before the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to the report.

By Ron Shinkman • Feb. 26, 2021

Cyberattack cost UHS $67M in back half of 2020

Still, the hospital operator reported year-over-year increases in profit for the fourth quarter of 2020 and the full year, helped some by federal pandemic relief funds.

By Hailey Mensik • Feb. 26, 2021

Rising expenses threaten hospitals' financial recovery: AHA, Kaufman Hall report

Costs to treat COVID-19 patients are continuing to hamper finances as more lucrative services sluggishly recover, according to the report from the consultants and the hospital lobby.

By Hailey Mensik • Feb. 25, 2021

Ascension expands pilot of Google EHR search tool

The two linked in 2018 to work on leveraging the health system's clinical data to create an integrated, longitudinal record of patient care and develop other health tools.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Feb. 25, 2021

Becerra backs price transparency, provider competition at first Senate panel

President Joe Biden's pick for HHS chief turns Wednesday to the finance panel, which will vote on sending the nomination to the full Senate.

By Shannon Muchmore • Feb. 24, 2021

FDA review supports safety, efficacy of J&J coronavirus vaccine

Agency scientists noted the shot's strong protection against severe COVID-19, even for the virus variant first detected in South Africa and known to weaken vaccine potency.

By Ned Pagliarulo , Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 24, 2021

Lifespan, Care New England ink deal to create academic medical system with Brown University

"If the COVID pandemic taught us one thing it is that we are better when we work together," Lifespan CEO Timothy Babineau said.

By Samantha Liss • Feb. 24, 2021

Hospitals still struggle with volumes, finances due to COVID-19

Kaufman Hall's national hospital flash report found ED visits were down 24.7% year over year in January, suggesting one of the biggest feeders into inpatient admissions will remain significantly depressed.

By Ron Shinkman • Feb. 23, 2021