For-profit hospital chains only saw beginning of COVID-19 impact in Q1

Companies started to see volumes plummet in the end of March as a result of the pandemic, but the effect on overall financial results was relatively limited. That could be a different story for the second quarter.

By Shannon Muchmore • May 6, 2020

Tenet Q1 volumes plunge, though execs eye May as 'beginning of the recovery'

Despite the hit from COVID-19, the system was still able to swing back to black and delivered net income of $94 million compared to a net loss during the first quarter of 2019.

By Samantha Liss • May 5, 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

Cardiovascular societies offer roadmap to restart TAVR, other postponed surgeries

As more states ease coronavirus-driven restrictions on elective medical care, North American cardiovascular groups laid out stages of safe reintroduction for invasive procedures and diagnostic imaging.

By Nick Paul Taylor • May 5, 2020

Judge dismisses New York nurses lawsuit over COVID-19 concerns, but urges resolution

Despite losing the legal battle, the nurses association said Montefiore Medical Center agreed to a number of provisions, including providing nurses with properly fitting N95 masks daily and sick pay to those out with COVID-19.

By Samantha Liss • May 4, 2020

Hospital, nursing groups join forces to lobby Congress for more COVID-19 funding

The groups requested funding to cover the cost of child care for nurses, physicians and other hospital staff as well as housing and transportation support, enhanced pay and free, regular COVID-19 testing.

By Ron Shinkman • May 4, 2020

HHS starts doling out $12B in CARES funds to 395 hospitals in COVID-19 hot spots

Another $10 billion is being directed toward nearly 8,000 rural hospitals, which will receive a minimum base payment and a percentage of their annual expenses.

By Shannon Muchmore • Updated May 4, 2020

CMS rolls back more Medicare, telehealth regs for providers working through pandemic

Accountable care organizations also scored a major win in the Thursday rule drop, with the agency pledging they wouldn't be dinged financially for lower-than-expected health outcomes in their patient populations from COVID-19.​ 

By Hailey Mensik • May 1, 2020

COVID-19 cases are rising in rural America, and its hospitals may be unprepared

A Kaiser Family Foundation analysis finds the COVID-19 caseload and death rate in rural counties is now outpacing urban areas. Georgia has a county with the most deaths per capita but has started reopening its economy against the advice of public health experts.

By Ron Shinkman • May 1, 2020

Teamsters union urges Tenet shareholders to reject CEO pay raise at upcoming meeting

One of the country's biggest labor unions, which helps fund its pension program through Tenet stock ownership, raised the alarm in a Wednesday letter to other shareholders and urged them to reject the measure at the annual meeting.

By Hailey Mensik • April 30, 2020

Q&A with Cerner's chief client and services officer on the vendor's Q1, COVID-19

Healthcare Dive talked with John Peterzalek about how the four-decade-old vendor is changing its priorities amid the outbreak and the status of some embattled federal projects.

By Rebecca Pifer • April 30, 2020

CHS takes big hit in April, but eyes resumption of elective surgeries in May

The 99-hospital chain also said it plans to stash its CARES funding away as a "second quarter benefit to revenue" pending SEC approval, speaking to investors after reporting first quarter results.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated April 29, 2020

UHS Q1 results hit by COVID-19 as operating income falls 30%

The hospital chain said patient volume dramatically fell during the second half of March​, a trend continuing into April​. Still, CFO Steve Filton teased that resumption of elective surgeries is already happening.

By Samantha Liss • April 28, 2020

Reimbursement portal opens for providers that test, treat uninsured COVID-19 patients

To take part in the program run by UnitedHealth Group, hospitals and doctor's offices must agree not to balance bill the patient for medical treatment.

By Rebecca Pifer • April 28, 2020

Mayo Clinic details COVID-19 impact, discloses CARES funding allotment

Mayo estimates up to $3 billion in revenue losses so far given that the system is operating "well below" normal capacity.

By Samantha Liss • April 27, 2020

Amid steep losses, Henry Ford Health System furloughs 9% of workforce

Michigan has been hard hit by the novel coronavirus. Wayne County, Michigan, home to Detroit, accounts for the third most U.S. deaths by county, trailing two New York counties by one estimate.

By Samantha Liss • April 24, 2020

Half of US physicians using telemedicine amid pandemic, survey finds

Nearly one-third of physicians who responded to Merritt Hawkins said they plan to change practice settings, leave patient care roles, temporarily shut their practices or retire after the COVID-19 crisis.

By Hailey Mensik • April 23, 2020

Operating margins plummet at US hospitals, Kaufman Hall says

The data paint a dire picture. "These initial numbers only reflect the first two weeks of the COVID-19 response and likely indicate more negative results in the future," Jim Blake, managing director of Kaufman Hall, said.

By Hailey Mensik • April 22, 2020

Another court rules against hospitals on DSH payments

Hospitals had argued CMS should only use Medicaid and uninsured patient payments toward the disproportionate share hospital payment cap. A lower court ruled in favor, but an appeals court overturned that decision Monday.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 22, 2020

2nd round of hospital CARES funding tied to patient revenue

The second wave of the $100 billion in funding includes $10 billion for areas hard-hit by the virus like New York. The larger net patient service revenue, the more funding a hospital is likely to receive based on the latest formula.

By Samantha Liss • Updated April 23, 2020

Beaumont-Summa merger plans end as COVID-19 batters hospitals

The health systems had delayed the combination in April, citing the financial toll and uncertainty of the pandemic. They did not provide more details about the breakup Friday.

By Samantha Liss • Updated May 29, 2020

Trump signs bill designating additional $75B for hospital COVID-19 response

It's the fourth major piece of emergency legislative relief Congress has approved amid the pandemic. But hospitals and providers say more help will be needed.

By Shannon Muchmore • Updated April 24, 2020

New York nurses sue Montefiore, Westchester hospitals over pandemic working conditions

Both systems defended themselves against the actions by the New York State Nurses Association, which also sued the state health department. Nurses argued they were not properly trained for redeployment and not receiving PPE.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 21, 2020

HCA profit down 45% amid COVID-19 volume depression

The Nashville-based for-profit hospital operator missed Wall Street expectations for both earnings and revenue, chalking up the results to significantly lower patient volume in the last two weeks of the first quarter.

By Rebecca Pifer • April 21, 2020

CMS, surgeon group offer paths forward to resume elective procedures

Most facilities have been putting off non-emergency services since mid-March, but have taken a financial hit as a result. Congress is debating a fourth coronavirus relief package that reportedly contains $75 billion for hospitals.

By Susan Kelly • April 20, 2020

FCC releases 1st round of CARES funds for coronavirus telehealth response

Six providers, including those in hard-hit areas like New York and New Orleans, received more than $3.2 million from the $200 million fund set aside for telehealth by the CARES stimulus package Congress passed last month.

By Rebecca Pifer • April 17, 2020