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

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

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

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

Telehealth claims dipped in May, but still up 5,680% from year ago: Fair Health

The latest insurance data found private claims for virtual care fell 33% from April, but are still wildly up amid lockdowns and the ongoing pandemic.

By Ron Shinkman • Aug. 7, 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

For-profits, church-run health systems dominated M&A growth from 2016 to 2018: Health Affairs

The share of physicians affiliated with vertically integrated health systems rose 11 percentage points, from 40% to 51%, the survey of 50 deals found.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 4, 2020

Nurses union survey finds most still feel unsafe at work amid pandemic

Months into the COVID-19 crisis, just 23% of nurses surveyed said they'd been tested, and only 31% said their systems screen every patient.

By Hailey Mensik • July 29, 2020

CMS to begin recouping COVID-19 Medicare loans

Hospital groups have pleaded with the Trump administration and Congress to forgive the loans, or relax repayment terms, with no relief so far.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 27, 2020

What it's like to be a nurse after 6 months of COVID-19 response

"I think the biggest change is we always relied on science, and we have always relied heavily on infection control protocols to guide our practice," a nurse working on the frontlines said. "Now infection control is out of control, we can no longer rely on the information and resources we always have."

By Hailey Mensik • July 27, 2020

After 6 months of darkness, primary care practices see little light ahead

"You have to dig yourself out of a financial hole — it's not a hole, it's a crater — created by the pandemic," said Gary LeRoy, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 27, 2020

6 months in: The COVID-19 crisis

This series of stories examines how healthcare has changed during the course of the novel coronavirus in the United States, half a year after HHS declared a national public health emergency.

July 27, 2020

6 months in: What will the new normal look like for hospitals?

Whether there is a nationwide second wave or smaller surges in regions at different times, hospitals will need to remain vigilant and in an effective state of emergency until there is a cure or vaccine for COVID-19.

By Shannon Muchmore • July 27, 2020

COVID-19 public health emergency extended

Extending the emergency allows several regulatory changes meant to help providers manage outbreaks of the novel coronavirus to continue, including the rollback of telehealth restrictions and Medicare add-on payments.

By Shannon Muchmore • July 23, 2020

Walmart to expand health centers to Florida next year

The retail giant, which has been expanding its healthcare presence during the COVID-19 pandemic, also plans to open additional clinics in Georgia this year and is eyeing an expansion into Chicago.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 22, 2020

Home healthcare sees surge in wake of COVID-19 nursing home fears

While nursing homes lost about 18,000 jobs last month, home healthcare services gained the same amount, a trend some industry officials say was sped up by the pandemic.

By Hailey Mensik • July 17, 2020

UHS partners with home health giant Bayada on at-home services

Bayada will manage post-acute home health operations, while UHS will utilize Bayada's years of expertise in the sector in tandem with UHS' capabilities and resources to further its integrated model, a system exec said.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 17, 2020

Embattled Arizona hospitals bring in hundreds of out-of-state nurses

The state’s largest health system Banner Health is bringing in 1,000 out-of-state nurses and respiratory therapists. The health department is also deploying 584 nurses to stressed hospitals and will absorb the cost.

By Hailey Mensik • July 16, 2020

COVID-19 causes unprecedented drop in physician demand

A new survey from Merritt Hawkins also concluded the pandemic has depressed overall physician pay, but the staffing firm said it was too early to provide specific estimates.

By Ron Shinkman • July 15, 2020

UnitedHealth doubles profit in Q2 as MLR plummets to 70.2% amid pandemic

CEO David Wichmann pushed back against proposals for a Medicare-like public option, noting: "We believe there's a near-universal coverage system in America today," despite rampant loss of insurance during the crisis.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 15, 2020

Amazon launches primary care centers for employees

Asked if it would consider expanding to the public at large, Amazon didn't quash the idea, saying it would "evaluate how effective" the clinics are and, if successful, "consider expanding the program to other regions."

By Rebecca Pifer • Updated July 15, 2020

Pandemic spurs national union activity among hospital workers

Striking a balance between union action and continuing care for patients could be an ongoing challenge, said Patricia Campos-Medina, co-director of New York State AFL-CIO/Cornell Union Leadership Institute.

By Hailey Mensik • July 13, 2020

Providence, Humana back ad campaign urging patients to stop 'medical distancing'

Since the pandemic's onset in the United States, health officials have been concerned about the consequences of routine and preventive care being delayed or put off entirely. Providers also fear continued revenue loss.

By Shannon Muchmore • July 8, 2020

Walgreens invests $1B in primary care clinics with VillageMD deal

"As the first true doctor-in-a-retail-box, VillageMD Medical at Walgreens will be raising the bar, upping the ante on maintaining a robust patient panel to cover overhead," SVB Leerink analysts wrote in a Thursday note.

By Rebecca Pifer • Updated July 9, 2020