Amazon, JPM, Berkshire form new company to tackle health costs

The corporate giants gave few details about the new venture, but said the initial focus will be technology solutions to provide their stateside employees with high-quality, low-cost healthcare.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 30, 2018

Aetna posts strong Q4 profits, awaiting CVS Health merger

Aetna's net income of $244 million represents a 76% increase compared to the $139 million of profit posted during Q4 2016.

By David Lim • Jan. 30, 2018

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

Medicare Advantage membership grows almost 8%

The market is still dominated by a handful of payers and online provider directory errors remain a problem for MA.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 30, 2018

Healthcare earnings this week: A primer

HCA, Aetna and athenahealth are among the notable players to report fourth quarter earnings.

By Jeff Byers • Jan. 29, 2018

Most hospitals will see Part B revenue increase despite 340B cut

The findings from Avalere come as hospitals challenge the 340B drug payment cut in court.

By David Lim • Jan. 29, 2018

CMS cost measure makes some Medicare Advantage plans pricier

The authors of a new Health Affairs analysis suggest limiting benchmark cost data to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in both Part A and Part B. 

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 26, 2018

HHS touts regulatory rollbacks under Trump's first year

A 37-page report highlights priorities for the Trump administration, most of which have sharply divided the industry.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 26, 2018

Medicaid could play key role in addressing social factors in healthcare

Many Medicaid programs collect data for social determinants of health, but not often in an organized way, according to a report from the National Qualify Forum.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 26, 2018

Healthcare data breaches up but fewer records at risk

More than a third of all data breaches last year were due to insider error or wrongdoing, according to a report from Protenus and DataBreaches.net.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 25, 2018

Blue Cross of North Carolina opposes Carolinas-UNC merger

In a letter to the two health systems, BCBS CEO Dr. Patrick Conway said the deal would increase patient costs.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 25, 2018

Pent-up needs may fuel Medicaid expansion costs: Avalere

In other Medicaid news, a group of Kentucky residents is suing HHS over the recent work requirement waiver. 

By Les Masterson • Jan. 24, 2018

ACA helped reduce out-of-pocket costs: JAMA

Many low-income Americans, however, still face high out-of-pocket costs.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 24, 2018

CMS, VA to share data to prevent healthcare fraud

The partnership is the latest in federal agency steps to increase healthcare fraud and misuse prevention efforts.

By Jeff Byers • Jan. 24, 2018

Providers make efforts, but cuts to low-value care elusive

Healthcare stakeholders know they should cut low-value services, but there are multiple obstacles to overcome.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 24, 2018

New York proposes Medicaid payment cuts to payers with large reserves

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is also suggesting a 14% tax on for-profit payers and requesting New York get "a cut of the proceeds when nonprofit insurers convert to for-profit companies."  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 23, 2018

Medicaid buy-in could expand choices, lower premiums for a few states

The Urban Institute analyzed a buy-in proposal backed by Democrats eyeing a 2020 run.   

By Les Masterson • Jan. 23, 2018

CHIP renewed 6 years, ACA taxes delayed under spending pact

Congress will need to approve another spending bill by Feb. 8, and it may include additional healthcare measures. 

By Les Masterson • Jan. 23, 2018

EHRs can nudge docs toward prescribing fewer opioids, study finds

The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine created a default system that physicians could overrule to prescribe more tablets, but the report found fewer opioids prescribed above the default limit.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 22, 2018

Providers go deeper with population health, weighing social factors

Healthcare organizations are waking up to the importance of social determinants of health, like housing and nutrition.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 22, 2018

Shareholder sues Aetna to block CVS deal

The lawsuit claims Aetna's SEC filing for a proposed agreement with CVS included “materially incomplete and misleading information."

By Les Masterson • Jan. 18, 2018

Pharma, payers clash over CMS Part D drug rebate plan

The drug, pharmacy benefit managers and insurance industries are squabbling over a CMS proposal to require Part D sponsors to pass on a percentage of rebates to consumers.

By David Lim • Jan. 18, 2018

Hospitals, payers and docs collaborate on prior authorization

Trade groups for major healthcare players say they share a "commitment to industry-wide improvements to prior authorization processes and patient-centered care."  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 17, 2018

Uninsured rate in 2017 had biggest increase in a decade

The rate increased in all demographic groups except for senior citizens, but went up most for young adults, blacks, Hispanics and low-income Americans.   

By Les Masterson • Jan. 17, 2018

CBO analyzes pricing disparities between physician services, Medicare

The agency compared the prices three major insurers paid for common services against Medicare's fee-for-service program. The difference is substantial.

By Tony Abraham • Jan. 16, 2018

UnitedHealth Group earnings up in Q4, hikes forecast due to tax bill

Jeff Alter, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, pointed to the potential impacts of the ACA's health insurance tax, saying consumers will see much higher premiums if the tax is not delayed or repealed. 

By Jeff Byers , David Lim • Jan. 16, 2018