Interoperability now a possibility for most acute-care providers
CommonWell members and Carequality participants will now have an easier time exchanging patient data, an example of vendor-driven interoperability.
LifePoint finalizes merger with RCCH HealthCare Partners
By Tara BannowLifePoint Health has finalized its merger with RCCH HealthCare Partners. The rural hospital operator has been purchased by affiliates of the private equity firm Apollo Global Management, which owns RCCH.
Branded-drug price hikes dwarf higher utilization of lower-cost generics
In 2017, brand-name prescription drugs made up only 17% of total prescriptions filled but represented 79% of total drug spending, according to an updated study from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Research
Not-for-profit hospital industry may have peaked financially, Fitch Ratings says
As not-for-profit hospitals' profits slide, balance sheets are at an all-time high, according to Fitch Ratings.
Providers
CHI and Dignity have landed on a name: CommonSpirit Health
CommonSpirit Health will be the name of the not-for-profit health system formed from the merger of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health.
Insurance
Medical supplier ditches Illinois insurance exchange following rate cut
Nearly a year ago, the private insurer in the state's overhauled Medicaid managed-care program slashed reimbursement rates to medical suppliers. Now a large provider is terminating its contract.
Government
Arkansas drops 3,815 more Medicaid enrollees over work requirement
Nearly 4,000 Arkansans lost their Medicaid expansion coverage in October because they didn't comply with the state's new work requirement. Another 8,462 low-income adults lost benefits in the previous two months.
Finance
Partners, Harvard Pilgrim table merger talks
Massachusetts' dominant health system and one of its largest payers have put their merger talks on hold, after executives reportedly felt the deal was getting too complicated.
Technology
CMS tells Congress federal law inhibits use of telehealth for seniors
Federal laws are preventing greater use of telehealth, according to a CMS report sent to Congress on Thursday.
Transformation
Bellin Health builds primary-care teams to boost physician, patient satisfaction
A key element is adding support staff and increasing their care responsibilities to enable physicians to see more patients more efficiently.
Safety & Quality
Geisinger tackles post-op pain management without opioids
Geisinger on Thursday announced the launch of a surgical redesign program aimed at expediting healing, improving pain management and reducing opioid use.
People
Editorial: Physicians are right to speak out on reducing gun violence
Physicians who tend to the nation's gunshot victims pushed back against an NRA tweet telling them to "stay in their lane" after the American College of Physicians updated its positions on reducing gun injuries and deaths.
Surveys
Executive Compensation: 2018
A Special Feature on the nation's compensation for healthcare executives, selected titles. Source: Sullivan, Cotter and Associates.
