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

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

Spark sets precedent with outcomes models, $850K gene therapy price tag

CMS to weigh plan to allow the company to offer payers the option to spread payments over multiple years in a payment-plan type model for Luxturna.

By Lisa LaMotta • Jan. 3, 2018

CMS proposes Medicare Advantage risk adjustment increase

The proposal would increase payments for MA members with mental health issues, substance use disorder and chronic kidney disease starting in 2019.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 2, 2018

CMS penalizes 751 hospitals over patient safety issues

More than half of hospitals were subject to Medicare cuts last year.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 2, 2018

Health systems brace for 2018 disruption

Look for more care in outpatient settings as hospitals consider cost containment and hiring strategies to stay above water.

By Jeff Byers , Shannon Muchmore , David Lim • Jan. 2, 2018

Kindred Healthcare shareholder opposes Humana, private equity deal

Brigade Capital Management said the $4.1 billion deal will "short-change existing shareholders," criticizing the $9 per share valuation for stockholders as "disappointing and grossly inadequate."

By Les Masterson • Jan. 2, 2018

States could play pivotal role in regulating association health plans

A new report from Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms offered ideas for how states can protect consumers and the insurance markets, depending on how much oversight the federal government allows.   

By Les Masterson • Dec. 22, 2017

ACA signups surge in last week, HealthCare.gov total at 8.8M

Many state-run exchanges are still enrolling people, which could result in overall enrollment for 2018 to potentially exceed 2017, according to Larry Levitt, senior vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation. 

By David Lim • Dec. 21, 2017

Healthcare merger frenzy: A bid for survival?

If done well, the recent string of vertical and horizontal integrations could lower costs across the board. The execution required to achieve that, however, is complex and takes time.

By Shannon Muchmore • Dec. 21, 2017

Congress delays decision on CHIP renewal until next year

The program will run out of money in early 2018 if Congress doesn’t find a way to extend funding.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 21, 2017

HHS falls short on cybersecurity, OIG says

OIG plans to audit HHS’ cybersecurity capabilities again in 2018.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 21, 2017

Democratic lawmakers raise concerns about 'skinny' health plans

A few members of Congress sent letters to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Xpress Healthcare and Apex Management Group.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 21, 2017

Fewer families struggling to pay medical bills, survey finds

The National Center for Health Statistics found 16% of people under 65 were in families that had problems paying medical bills in the first half of 2017.

By Jeff Byers • Dec. 20, 2017

UPDATED: Congress passes massive tax bill that nixes individual mandate

The legislation cuts the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. That should benefit health insurers and hospitals, which tend to pay higher effective tax rates.

By Kim Dixon • Dec. 20, 2017

Penn State Health, Highmark Health forge alliance

The new partnership may be a response to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's recent expansion into their territory.  

By Les Masterson • Dec. 19, 2017

Salesforce, Geneia launch app aimed at value-based care

The partnership seeks to help healthcare stakeholders spot gaps in care and reduce admissions and claims costs.   

By Les Masterson • Dec. 18, 2017

How the GOP tax bill could affect healthcare

 Here's a cheat sheet showing what the tax bill means for healthcare and other industries.

By Shannon Muchmore • Dec. 18, 2017

ACA coverage gains at risk, Commonwealth says

The report warned that political headwinds in D.C. “could jeopardize the gains made to date," citing the lack of action on CHIP, the potential repeal of the individual mandate and the reduced open enrollment period.

By Les Masterson • Dec. 18, 2017

Fitch Ratings: Healthcare sector stable, but providers face headwinds

Regulatory uncertainties, growing consumerism, payer consolidation and a move from fee-for-service to value-based payments are all issues for providers. 

By Les Masterson • Dec. 18, 2017

Quality Payment Program needs more technical assistance, oversight, OIG finds

Without sufficient guidance, participating clinicians could struggle to succeed, while others may opt out of the program altogether, the report warns.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 15, 2017

ACA enrollment expected to fall well short of last year

Democratic lawmakers have called on the White House to extend the Friday deadline to the end of January, which was the deadline in previous years.  

By Les Masterson • Dec. 15, 2017

NEJM: Opioid crisis measures aimed at docs mostly fail

Policies such as making doctor shopping illegal, limiting the supply of opioids dispensed at one time and alerting high-prescribing physicians were found to have no meaningful effect.

By David Lim • Dec. 15, 2017

GHX debuts integrated cloud-based supply chain tool for healthcare

The tool, Clinical ConneXion, is currently available with Epic EHRs.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 14, 2017

Analysis points to opportunities to reduce costly ICU stays

A Premier report identified 10 ICU diagnoses with the highest variation in length of stay.

By Meg Bryant • Dec. 14, 2017