Lyft claims NEMT program helps Medicaid beneficiary health access

The ridehailing giant and chief rival Uber have touted the efficacy of their non-emergency medical transportation programs, but traditional transportation brokers say they can't meet the niche needs of many U.S. patients.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 19, 2020

Threat of financial loss main barrier to value-based model adoption: exec poll

The survey from consultancy Numerof & Associates found the healthcare industry generally supports alternate payment models, but is still falling short of actually tying reimbursement to value.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 19, 2020

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

Cleveland Clinic, Aetna team up on insurance plan, ACO

A nationwide part of the initiative will offer the payer's commercial plan members access to virtual second opinion services from Cleveland Clinic providers. They are also creating a Cardiac Center of Excellence program.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 19, 2020

Beaumont slows Advocate Aurora tie-up amid doctor pushback

"At this time, we are focused on meeting with our physicians, employees and community leaders to listen to them and answer their questions," Beaumont, Michigan's largest system, said.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 18, 2020

HCA workers want state regulator to probe 5 Las Vegas hospitals

The biggest for-profit chain said it's following CDC guidance, but one union steward said those loosened regulations "shouldn't be the ceiling. They should be the floor."

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 18, 2020

Providence $538M loss shows pandemic woes trump bailout funds in H1

Unlike some other major hospital systems buoyed by federal funds, including Kaiser and the biggest for-profits, expenses and volume depression threw the Washington state system's financials into the red.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 18, 2020

CMS urges resumption of essential procedures, organ transplants for ESRD patients

Medicare end-stage renal disease beneficiaries have 3.5 times heightened risk of COVID-19 infection, according to an HHS analysis of early claims data.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 18, 2020

Knocking at the door: Improving hospital entrances for the second wave of COVID-19

The current pandemic is revealing new vulnerabilities in our medical system. By reestablishing and bolstering the patient intake process, we can help stem the spread of the virus at our healthcare facilities.  

Aug. 18, 2020

In-person healthcare visits can be done safely despite coronavirus risk, small JAMA study suggests

The analysis of more than 100 obstetrical patients at Boston hospitals found no meaningful association between the number of in-person visits and the rate of novel coronavirus infection.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 17, 2020

Patient-provider encounter trends have stabilized, but remain significantly lower than before COVID-19

Meanwhile, telemedicine encounters have settled in at rates much higher than pre-pandemic levels. However, they still make up just a fraction of visits, according to an analysis from The Commonwealth Fund.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 17, 2020

Banner, battered by COVID-19 in Arizona and beyond, sees H1 net loss

Still, the nonprofit system's size and breadth of business is likely to keep it afloat, analysts have said. The organization received $400 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding and has more than 250 days cash on hand.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 14, 2020

HHS sending $1.4B from COVID-19 bailout funds to children's hospitals

Certain free-standing children's hospitals not affiliated with larger systems will be eligible to receive 2.5% of their net revenue from patient care and will begin receiving the money this week.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 14, 2020

Hospitals, docs pitch essential surgery roadmap amid COVID-19 surge

The groups are calling for providers to cooperate to address capacity needs and source the personal protective equipment they need to perform procedures.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Aug. 14, 2020

One Medical beats Q2 estimates, rolls out new telehealth option

The primary care chain that went public earlier this year also said it's entering North Carolina and Wisconsin, bringing its presence to 15 markets.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 13, 2020

Peer groups, tweaked quality measures pitched for revamped CMS hospital star ratings

Hospital groups welcomed the changes to the system they've long blasted as arbitrary and burdensome.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 12, 2020

Regional chains Sentara, Cone to merge into 17-hospital, $11.5B system

The Norfolk, Virginia- and Greensboro, North Carolina-based providers plan to complete the union in the middle of next year. M&A activity hasn't slowed as much as some expected amid the pandemic.

By Hailey Mensik , Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 12, 2020

New CMS value-based payment model aimed at rural hospitals, ACOs

The program will include upfront and capitated payments for providers as well as some regulatory flexibilities. It will require facilities to partner with state Medicaid agencies in an attempt to improve care coordination.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 11, 2020

Sanitized N95s acceptable alternatives to new masks, JAMA study finds

One of the biggest problems health systems have faced during the COVID-19 crisis is securing enough personal protective equipment to keep providers safe. The problem has sparked labor unrest and lawsuits.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 11, 2020

OIG says hospitals overbilled Medicare $267M by improperly coding post-discharge services

The watchdog recommended CMS direct its recovery audit contractors to recoup overpayments made within the past four years.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 10, 2020

Buoyed by bailout funds, all major for-profit hospital chains reported increased profits in Q2

The second quarter was expected to be devastating for hospitals as the pandemic forced many to stop business as usual. The results raise questions about whether federal bailout funds were meant to pad the bottom line.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 10, 2020

Kaiser Permanente reports $4.5B in net income, joining other operators in large Q2 increases

The California-based integrated health system's operating margin improved substantially, hitting 9.4% compared with 5.2% a year ago.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 10, 2020

Healthcare gains jobs in July, but still down 800K from February

The latest report shows ambulatory, outpatient and medical and diagnostic lab service jobs are creeping closer to last year's levels following the COVID-19 downturn. Hospitals added 27,000 jobs last month.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 7, 2020

Fresh off Medicaid win in Missouri, Fairness Project calls for health industry to step up

"We need to see health insurers and private hospitals step up and make massive investments in these campaigns," Jonathan Schleifer, executive director of the D.C.-based advocacy group, told Healthcare Dive.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 6, 2020

DOJ moves to block Geisinger Health's tie-up with Evangelical Community Hospital

The lawsuit alleges that in exchange for 30% ownership, Geisinger would invest $100 million in Evangelical. But the money is "not without strings," according to DOJ, which argues it ends any competition.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 6, 2020

Tenet's profit more than triples in Q2 thanks to COVID-19 relief funds, cost cuts

Tenet and its peer for-profit hospital operators have seen profits buoyed by federal relief funds, sparking widespread criticism.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 4, 2020