7 can't-miss panels at HLTH19

Some of healthcare's biggest names are converging in Las Vegas in just a few days for the second annual HLTH conference. We've combed through the dozens of panels so you don't have to.

By Rebecca Pifer • Oct. 24, 2019

1/3 of US payments used alternative models last year, but progress stagnant

Medicare Advantage plans had the highest percentage of total payments tied to APMs, followed by traditional Medicare, commercial payers and Medicaid, a study from a private-public partnership found.

By Linda Wilson • Oct. 24, 2019

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

5 insights from a chat with Larry Merlo, CEO of CVS Health

Healthcare Dive talked to Merlo, who rose up the ranks to lead the giant chain over three decades, about CVS' rivals, the path to the Aetna acquisition and potential arenas for disruption.

By Rebecca Pifer • Oct. 23, 2019

Cleveland Clinic, American Well partner on virtual visits with specialists

The joint venture extends the relationship between the nonprofit system and telehealth vendor, which have collaborated since 2014 to provide 24-hour access to virtual non-emergency care for many minor illnesses and injuries.

By Linda Wilson • Oct. 23, 2019

Leapfrog finds safety metrics for ASCs, outpatient centers lacking

The inaugural report expanded the payer- and employer-backed group's ratings of healthcare facilities in America, aiming to shed light on safety and quality at outpatient facilities as more procedures are performed outside of hospitals.

By Samantha Liss • Oct. 22, 2019

Microsoft lands new partner in race to reliable speech-to-text, EHR documentation

Burlington, Massachusetts-based Nuance will transfer its internal infrastructure and hosted products to the tech giant's cloud as part of the agreement.

By Rebecca Pifer • Oct. 17, 2019

Boston named top US hospital city, Raleigh dead last

Digital healthcare company Medbelle also found the U.S. scores highly for infrastructure and quality of care but came in at the bottom of the list for access to services compared to other countries.

By Rebecca Pifer • Oct. 16, 2019

Overwhelming majority of providers loathe prior authorization requirements, survey shows

HHS is attempting to address the issue, proposing a rule in June to update electronic prior authorization requirements in Medicare Part D plans. The head of ONC has also called for an overhaul of the process.

By Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 16, 2019

Build a highly resilient hospital, readiness for peak operational response

To build high resilience, safeguard the continuity of services and ensure the best patient outcomes, hospitals are taking a more proactive approach to managing critical events.

Oct. 16, 2019

Frustrated patients ready to switch providers over poor digital experience, report finds

Patients are seeking more clarity on bills and flexible payment options. More than half want out-of-pocket cost estimates and creative payment options, according to the survey.

By Samantha Liss • Oct. 9, 2019

Healthcare leads the way as US hits lowest unemployment mark in decades

"[T]he combination of strong demand growth from healthcare employers and shortages of many clinicians (nurses, physicians) creates a positive set-up for the healthcare temp staffing industry," Jefferies analysts wrote.

By Shannon Muchmore • Oct. 7, 2019

Fitness trackers could aid care of patients with respiratory disease symptoms, research suggests

The results highlight the potential of activity trackers and other monitoring devices to alert providers more quickly to changes in a patient's medical condition, leading to less expensive, more convenient care.

By Linda Wilson • Oct. 3, 2019

'A radical experiment': Payers, providers renew attacks on price transparency proposal

Industry groups skewered the rule as "the wrong approach," "anticompetitive," "confusing" and "missing the mark."

By Rebecca Pifer • Sept. 30, 2019

Executives say lack of resources biggest obstacle to value-based care

Respondents to a Definitive Healthcare survey also noted interoperability gaps, an unpredictable revenue stream and the financial risk in value-based care initiatives as barriers.

By Ron Shinkman • Sept. 30, 2019

Amazon launches virtual medical clinic for Seattle employees

The trial, called Amazon Care, includes in-person followup doctor visits at an employee's home or office, along with at-home prescription drug delivery.

By Rebecca Pifer • Sept. 25, 2019

Heal, a medical house calls startup, acquires Doctors on Call

With the acquisition, Heal will be available to 75 million people in Atlanta, California, New York, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C., the company said.

By Linda Wilson • Sept. 24, 2019

Despite pop health buzz, few providers screen for social needs

In a new JAMA report, hospitals cited lack of financial ability, time and incentives as major barriers to screening for social determinants.

By Shannon Muchmore • Sept. 19, 2019

Congress probes private equity firms financing surprise billing fight

Responses from KKR, Blackstone Group and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe are due no later than Sept. 30. 

By Samantha Liss • Sept. 17, 2019

Many people head to ER for quick care, poll finds

Baby boomers are less likely than their younger counterparts to head to the costlier site of care for non-emergency conditions.

By Linda Wilson • Sept. 12, 2019

Healthcare job growth continues, but pace slows

Ambulatory care saw the biggest job gains, while nursing care facilities, residential mental health facilities and offices of non-physician healthcare practitioners saw slight seasonally adjusted drop-offs.

By Ron Shinkman • Sept. 9, 2019

UnitedHealth to link Optum's analytics, provider subsidiaries

Patients and providers will be able to access health data in real time as part of this new "digital ecosystem," Optum CEO Andrew Witty said Thursday.

By Rebecca Pifer • Sept. 5, 2019

Citing transparency, PBM startup Capital Rx introduces novel pricing model

The framework announced Wednesday, called Clearinghouse Model, is aimed at eliminating price variability for the PBM's customers by itemizing the actual unit cost for all drugs based on a CMS-run benchmark.

By Rebecca Pifer • Sept. 4, 2019

Thousands who die awaiting kidney transplants rejected multiple organ offers: study

Although the quality of the organ was the primary reason for rejecting an offer, the study suggests the declined organs were suitable for the purpose of sustaining another human being.

By Ron Shinkman • Sept. 3, 2019

FDA urges providers to transition to duodenoscopes with disposable parts

While the agency is advising the transition, the immediate removal of conventional devices could result in shortages and prevent patients from receiving critical care. 

By David Lim • Aug. 30, 2019

Kaiser Permanente workers are set to strike. Does it mark a new trend?

It's still too early to tell whether the uptick in disputes will last long, but one former chief economist for the Department of Labor said "there is something meaningful going on."

By Samantha Liss • Aug. 29, 2019