Long-term virtual care plans evade providers, small executive survey finds

Remote patient monitoring is still a work in progress for most — only four of the 19 executives surveyed by Klas said their organizations currently have a working program.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 31, 2020

Investment returns boost Cleveland Clinic into the black despite weak Q2 revenue

Like many other major operators, Cleveland Clinic also benefited from millions in government assistance, including $324 million in CARES relief grants.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Aug. 31, 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

Allina, Minnesota Blues enter into sweeping value-based pact

The payer and provider aim to cut the cost trend for care by 10% over the next five years through the multiyear agreement, which will cover about 130,000 people.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 28, 2020

4 in 10 say COVID-19 reduced their access to care, CDC survey shows

A separate survey from the agency found that nearly 37% of people said their provider now offers a form of telehealth, compared to about 14% who said it was offered before the pandemic.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 27, 2020

Investment losses, flagging volume push UPMC into the red in H1

The Pittsburgh-based nonprofit reported a loss of $165 million, down from a profit of $372 million the same time last year.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Aug. 27, 2020

Hospitals slam 'disturbing' COVID-19 data reporting requirement threatening Medicare funding

The American Hospital Association quickly bashed the interim final rule, calling it "heavy-handed" and requesting it be reversed immediately.

By Shannon Muchmore • Aug. 26, 2020

Nurses union seeks OSHA inspections, fines at 17 HCA hospitals

At the heart of the complaints is a growing need for contract tracing in healthcare facilities, a lack of which contributed to preventable spread of the novel coronavirus through hospitals and into communities, the union alleges.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated Aug. 27, 2020

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

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