Brigham and Women's tops consumer hospital ranking poll by NRC Health

Mayo Clinic, which consistently leads U.S. News & World Report's rankings, had several facilities peppering the list from the data firm, but none broke the top 30.  

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Aug. 25, 2020

Advocate Aurora profit inches up in Q2 as investment income bounces back

The Illinois-based nonprofit, which is currently exploring a merger with Michigan's largest health system, still saw its operating margin plummet from 5.7% to -6.8% in the quarter.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 25, 2020

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

Study shows PE-owned hospitals increased charges, profitability while some care metrics improved

The more than 200 private equity-owned hospitals in the study rose their net income by more than 50% after they were bought, researchers found.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 24, 2020

Hospital operating margins nearly eliminated through July, Kaufman Hall says

There appear to be signs of recovery despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, though. Operating margins and patient volumes were up from June to July.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 24, 2020

Mayo Clinic Q2 profit plummets under COVID-19 strain, but still in the black

The pandemic led the nonprofit system to cut its supplemental and contract workforce, halt most of its construction projects and reduce staff salaries.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 21, 2020

Sutter posts $857M loss in H1 on investment, operational declines

Sutter joins other major nonprofit health systems in posting net losses for the first half of the year despite $400 million in financial assistance from the federal government.

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 21, 2020

Union sues California hospital, HCA for allegedly facilitating COVID-19 spread

The suit alleges HCA failed to follow basic public health recommendations such as keeping sick workers home, and accuses the massive system of public nuisance, among a slew of other allegations.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated Aug. 21, 2020

Reducing the stigma of clinician mental health, pressure to portray perfection

"The uncertainty of the pandemic coupled with the already high-stress situation of emergency medical care creates an acute crisis for clinicians' mental health," Envision VP Stefanie Simmons writes.

By Stefanie Simmons • Aug. 19, 2020

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 Parduhn • 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 Parduhn • Aug. 19, 2020

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