CDC to launch clinical reporting app for COVID-19 in May

A patchwork of requirements creates confusion and leads to COVID-19 cases being "significantly underreported," a CDC official said Wednesday at a virtual meeting of health IT congressional advisory group HITAC.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 16, 2020

Could coronavirus derail the decades-long shift to value-based care?

"This is not about managing a population. This is about doing everything you can to keep these people alive," Dean Ungar, vice president of Moody's Investors Service, said.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 15, 2020

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

Medtechs adapt to new sales reality amid halt on elective surgeries, hospitals' financial stress

Device manufacturers can't control how long COVID-19 shuts down the procedures and traditional sales models they depend on. But their flexibility during the down period can make or break the restart, industry advisers say.

By Maria Rachal • April 14, 2020

Hospital CARES funding not quite 'no strings attached'

Chains like Tenet and CHS can expect to see the biggest benefit in relation to profitability as providers start to receive the first $30 billion of the $100 billion allocated, according to Jefferies analysts.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 14, 2020

GM, Philips land $1.1B in HHS ventilator contracts, Medtronic boosts production

Much of industry has been prodded to ramp up production of the often large, complex and pricey devices barely mentioned in company financials before the pandemic but now seen as critical to saving the sickest COVID-19 patients.

By Nick Paul Taylor • April 13, 2020

AMA, other doc groups seek piece of CARES act funding

The doctors lobby, along with groups representing cardiologists, dermatologists and a range of other specialties, urged HHS Secretary Alex Azar to provide immediate aid "to support them against financial peril while they put their lives and businesses at risk."

By Hailey Mensik • April 9, 2020

Hospital costs to treat uninsured COVID-19 patients could top $40B

The Kaiser Family Foundation analysis is another indication that more funding will be needed to keep the U.S healthcare system running as it faces the unprecedented crisis.

By Shannon Muchmore , Hailey Mensik • April 8, 2020

COVID-19's public health crisis could also be a financial disaster for hospitals

Most systems already operate on relatively thin margins, with little room to handle a downswing, much less the pandemic that has now caused more deaths in the U.S. than any other nation.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 8, 2020

Hospitals scramble to triage amid testing delays, PPE shortages, OIG finds

Scarcity of tests and delayed results meant presumptive positive patients greatly strained bed availability, PPE supplies and staffing, the survey of 323 hospital officials found. AHA called it an accurate reflection of the situation.

By Hailey Mensik • April 7, 2020

OCR suspends some HIPAA regulations in response to COVID-19

The HHS agency said it would use its discretion to not enforce the law against "the good faith uses and disclosures of protected health information." The change mostly applies to business associates and federal agencies.

By Ron Shinkman • April 3, 2020

Quorum files for bankruptcy

The CHS spinoff had warned the action might be necessary after years of flagging financial performance. The system has entered into a restructuring agreement with terms to reduce its debt by about $500 million.

By Hailey Mensik • Updated April 7, 2020

HHS to divert some of $100B hospital COVID-19 funding to uninsured

AHA seemed to object to the order, saying funding to treat the uninsured should come from new legislation or an emergency program as the $100 billion for them "was intended to provide hospitals with an infusion of emergency relief."

By Shannon Muchmore • Updated April 6, 2020

Hospitals should brace for up to 17-fold surge in demand for supplies

The average respondent to a survey from Premier had 23 days of N95 respiratory mask inventory on hand, but those with active COVID-19 patients had an average of just three days' worth.

By Hailey Mensik • April 2, 2020

Tenet pulls 2020 guidance in wake of COVID-19 impact

The for-profit hospital chain said its system is not currently overwhelmed but has rescheduled "a substantial amount" of elective procedures and closed or reduced hours at ambulatory surgery and outpatient centers.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 2, 2020

AHA wants private payers to do more to help hospitals fight COVID-19. Payers say they've done a lot already

"We are working hard to offer billions of dollars of additional resources and enhanced coverage," AHIP SVP of Communications Kristine Grow told Healthcare Dive. "But these resources are not infinite."

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 2, 2020

AHA seeks $25K per hospital bed from emergency COVID-19 fund

The unprecedented package signed late last week gave wide discretion to HHS for how the $100 billion to health systems would be divided and sent to providers.

By Shannon Muchmore • April 1, 2020

Dorm rooms as hospitals, ER telehealth: CMS creates 'unprecedented' flexibility as COVID-19 rages on

Hospital groups on Tuesday applauded the actions from CMS, with the American Hospital Association calling the ability to care for patients outside of hospitals' four walls a "critical lifeline."

By Shannon Muchmore • Updated April 1, 2020

Joint Commission backs clinicians demanding freedom to bring their own PPE to work

After nurses filed more than 125 complaints with OSHA, the accrediting body for many hospitals issued a statement supporting staff that bring their own personal protective equipment amid shortages.

By Hailey Mensik • March 31, 2020

Cleveland Clinic mum on COVID-19 hit, reports jump in 2019 operating income

The health system tallied across the board increases in inpatient admissions, surgical cases and emergency room visits for the year.

By Samantha Liss • March 31, 2020

Retirees, medical students called to help treat COVID-19 patients

The shortage and rapid scramble to find more workers highlights a debate among medical groups about whether medical licensing should be managed federally.

By Hailey Mensik • March 30, 2020

How hospital capacity varies dramatically across the country

COVID-19 cases are surging across the country, just as it marches further into flu season. In light of the renewed concern, Healthcare Dive is resharing a Deep Dive examining baseline U.S. hospital capacity in March.

By Samantha Liss, Nami Sumida • March 30, 2020

As COVID-19 drives demand for some healthcare workers, others furloughed

Traveling nurses and some specialties are needed but others, like gastroenterology and cardiology face dwindling patients.  

By Hailey Mensik • March 27, 2020

Hospitals already short N95 respirators, ventilators, surgical masks, survey shows

"It's clear that supply shortages have only grown worse as COVID-19 cases spread, and there are now multiple domestic and international organizations competing with healthcare providers for limited supplies," the GPO Premier warned.

By Ron Shinkman • March 27, 2020

Trump signs $2T stimulus package, clearing $100B for struggling hospitals

The bill, the largest piece of emergency aid in U.S. history, was cleared by the House of Representatives earlier on Friday.

By Samantha Liss • Updated March 27, 2020

Even with billions from Congress, hospitals set to lose over $1K per COVID-19 case

Those hits, coupled with the loss of lucrative elective procedures — which most hospitals have halted amid the outbreak — could be catastrophic for facilities, especially those in rural areas and with little cash on hand.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 25, 2020