Mobile health trackers could have potential new measures, study finds

Although it remains to be seen whether mobile health devices prove to be useful aids for weight loss and fitness over time, Stanford researchers have found the devices can reveal emerging health issues by monitoring subtle physiological changes.

By Kathleen Gilbert • Jan. 15, 2017

Uncompensated hospital costs reach new low

The ACA has helped hospitals by reducing the burden of uncompensated care, but all bets are off if it is repealed without a replacement.

By Kathleen Gilbert • Jan. 15, 2017

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

Wider adoption of electronic transactions could save healthcare $9.4B, report says

While CAQH makes the case for the fiscal benefits of digital transactions, implementing an electronic workflow has seen some struggles in provider settings.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 13, 2017

NYU Langone finds redesigning bills helped reduce patient complaints

Healthcare has been all about trying to make patient bills easier to understand in recent years.  

By Luke Gale • Jan. 12, 2017

Cigna turns to cheaper option than the brand name Mylan EpiPen

The pharmaceutical company that raised prices around 500% in six years on its EpiPen has recently been dealt several blows. 

By Luke Gale • Jan. 12, 2017

Health IT start-up Nuna takes Medicaid into the Cloud

CMS acting Administrator Andy Slavitt called the database “near historic” in providing a broad-brush view of the Medicaid program.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 12, 2017

Study: Some post-surgery destinations cost more than others

Hospitals that spend the most on post-surgery care for patients are spending on average more than two times as much as those that spend the least in some instances. 

By Luke Gale • Jan. 11, 2017

Senate takes first big step to repeal ACA

President-elect Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would like for an ACA repeal and the implementation of a replacement coverage plan to occur "essentially simultaneously."

By Ana Mulero & Jeff Byers • Jan. 11, 2017

Cal INDEX-Empire Health Information Exchange merger will boost big data

The merger of these two California data exchanges will result in the country’s largest database of insurance claims and medical records.

By Kathleen Gilbert • Jan. 11, 2017

Health Affairs: Larger market share gives negotiation power to insurers but consumer benefits unclear

Insurers with market shares of 15% or higher are able to negotiate significantly lower prices for medical services, researchers found.

By Kathleen Gilbert • Jan. 10, 2017

CMS grants quality penalty relief due to ICD-10 snafu

Physician Quality Reporting System penalties are usually 2% of Medicare's physician fee schedule amount for a service.

By Ana Mulero • Jan. 10, 2017

Trump wants GOP to quickly repeal and replace Obamacare

"We have to get to business. Obamacare has been a catastrophic event."

By Jeff Byers • Jan. 10, 2017

Aledade raises $20M in recent round of funding

The company, founded by ​Dr. Farzad Mostashari, is “well-positioned” in a healthcare system that is increasingly rewarding physicians for providing high-value care, said Andy Jones, managing director for the Maryland Venture Fund.

By Luke Gale • Jan. 10, 2017

HHS Secretary poses 3 questions for GOP on ACA replacement

The damage to the individual insurance market would begin this spring with Republican's plan to repeal parts of the ACA, HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said during a National Press Club event.

By Ana Mulero • Jan. 9, 2017

UnitedHealth to grow portfolio with $2.3B Surgical Care Affiliates purchase

By combining the ambulatory surgery center chain with Optum's health services, UnitedHealth Group seeks to create a comprehensive platform of ambulatory care services.

By Ana Mulero • Jan. 9, 2017

Study: Hospitals vary in adverse outcome rates for joint replacement

Adverse outcome rates for joint and hip replacements top 20% at some of the worst performing hospitals. 

By Luke Gale • Jan. 9, 2017

Oscar looks beyond the ACA for business

Whatever the ACA’s future may be, Oscar plans to stay in the health insurance game.

By Kathleen Gilbert • Jan. 8, 2017

Medicare backed off under pressure from health insurers

Audits of Medicare’s books show that it settled for recouping nearly $3.4 million in overpayments instead of the $128 million that it was owed from five health plans.

By Kathleen Gilbert • Jan. 8, 2017

NQF guidance aims to reduce quality measure variation

The guidance provides a decision-logic framework for determining if variation exists and how to address it.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 6, 2017

HHS: Coverage of Americans with preexisting conditions up since ACA

Roughly 133 million nonelderly Americans — or 51% — have a preexisting medical condition.

By Meg Bryant • Jan. 6, 2017

Paul Ryan: ACA repeal would strip Planned Parenthood funding

The nonprofilt reproductive health services organization launched a petition this week to ask Congress for its support.

By Ana Mulero • Jan. 6, 2017

ACA Round-Up: Fault lines show as ACA battle wages on

Democrats work to rally public support while Republicans strive to move quickly to dismantle Obamacare in this political minefield.

By Kathleen McGuire Gilbert • Jan. 5, 2017

CMS joint bundle payments shoring up savings, researchers find

Though results have been mixed, CMS is forging ahead with expansions to the bundled payment program.

By Kathleen McGuire Gilbert • Jan. 5, 2017

Healthcare industry continues to weigh in on ACA reform

The Healthcare Leadership Council recommended actions that aim to "bolster the stability of the health insurance marketplace, encourage greater competition, and give all Americans enhanced choice and flexibility in their coverage."

By Ana Mulero • Jan. 5, 2017

What's at stake across the industry for ACA repeal and delay

Let's take a beat to assess the storylines behind the new "if you like your plan, you can keep it" battle.

By Jeff Byers & Meg Bryant • Jan. 4, 2017