Kentucky first to try Medicaid work requirement

Allowing states to require work is one way the Trump administration is looking to reduce the size of Medicaid. 

By Les Masterson • Jan. 15, 2018

Trump admin's new bundle bid shows value-based care's staying power

Advocates of value-based payment reform breathed a sigh of relief last week when CMS announced a new bundled payment model.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 12, 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

Worldwide ambulance market to reach $48.9B by 2025

Advanced life-support ambulance services are expected to dominate the market over the next eight years.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 12, 2018

FDA lays out digital health goals in 2018 strategic roadmap

The agency will continue to build out its Pre-Certification Pilot Program to help encourage the development of digital health tools.

By David Lim • Jan. 12, 2018

Lawsuit accuses Centene of misleading customers on narrow ACA plans

The allegations against Centene come as the Trump administration is moving toward narrower networks in ACA exchanges.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 12, 2018

CMS goes all in on Medicaid work requirements

At least ten states are considering section 1115 Medicaid waivers that require enrollees to have a job, train for a job or participate in community activities like volunteer work.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 11, 2018

ACOs flock to Medicare Shared Savings Program

Most of the ACOs in a risk-based contract chose Track 1+, which is the latest risk model.   

By Les Masterson • Jan. 11, 2018

CMS extends Maryland all-payer program for another year

Maryland is working with the agency on a larger proposal to include outpatient services.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 10, 2018

Payers with ACA plans expected to have relatively strong year

Experts predict a fairly stable 2018 for the individual market, as long as Congress doesn't try another "repeal and replace" effort or make more moves that might destabilize the exchanges. 

By Les Masterson • Jan. 10, 2018

CMS launches new, voluntary bundled payment model

The Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced program will be considered an advanced alternative payment model for the purposes of MACRA reporting.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 10, 2018

Azar talks list prices, mandatory Medicare pilots

The nominee for HHS secretary identified high drug prices and shifting payment models to reward health outcomes as among his top priorities.

By David Lim • Jan. 9, 2018

Could narrow networks be the next big cost cutter?

Narrow provider networks can mean lower costs, but also less flexibility for members and likely lower patient satisfaction. 

By Les Masterson • Jan. 9, 2018

Health Affairs: Ending Medicaid expansion would cause rural hospitals to go under

Researchers found Medicaid expansion improved hospital finances and meant a substantially lower chance that hospitals — especially rural facilities — closed.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 9, 2018

GAO: CMS must improve state-reported data collection for Medicaid

“CMS has taken steps for the initial use of T-MSIS data, but does not have a plan or associated timeframes for using these data for oversight,” GAO said.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 9, 2018

Amino pitches new HSA amid growth in high deductibles

The company is betting that high deductibles and better education over HSAs will incite greater utilization.

By Jeff Byers • Jan. 8, 2018

CBO: Needed CHIP funding drastically reduced due to individual mandate repeal

The Senate bill that would reauthorize CHIP would increase the deficit by $0.8 billion over 2018-2027 rather than the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation's previous $8.2 billion estimate.

By David Lim • Jan. 8, 2018

Avalere: Value-based care movement will overcome speed bumps this year

The annual report predicted a year full of changes to the healthcare system, including additional attempts to repeal the ACA, mergers and technological changes.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 8, 2018

More time may not help hospitals achieve P4P value, study says

Researchers compared clinical process scores and 30-day mortality rates for hospitals that began value-based programs in 2003 and a group that began in 2011.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 5, 2018

CVS expects $1.2B increase in annual net income from tax bill

Adjusted earnings per share are expected to be at the lower end of the $1.88-$1.92 range announced during the company’s 2017 Q3 earnings call. 

By David Lim • Jan. 5, 2018

Study finds huge price swings at Minnesota hospitals

The Minnesota study is part of a growing movement to increase healthcare price transparency across the country.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 5, 2018

Clover Health lost its gamble to get more patient data

The San Francisco-based Medicare Advantage plan delayed lab test payments in hopes to leverage a data collection deal, a CNBC report found.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 5, 2018

Trump rule would expand association health plans

Supporters say the move would allow for more affordable health insurance options, but critics charge that expanding association health plans will weaken consumer protections and hurt the individual exchange market.  

By Les Masterson • Jan. 4, 2018

Outcomes, costs vary for coronary procedures at VA and non-VA hospitals

The reasons for the cost differences are somewhat elusive, the JAMA Cardiology study concluded.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 4, 2018

A.M. Best improves outlook for health insurance industry to 'stable'

A new report from the ratings agency said multiple payer product lines remain profitable despite issues in the individual market. 

By Les Masterson • Jan. 4, 2018

CMS to docs: Texting orders banned, with a clarification

The memo to state survey agencies maintains the ban on texting patient orders.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 3, 2018