Illinois officials laud Medicaid waiver proposal for mental illness, addiction treatment | (Bloomington, Ill.) Pantagraph
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration has formally applied for a waiver of federal Medicaid rules so the state can take a more comprehensive approach to treating mental illness and addiction among the more than 3 million Illinoisans covered by the public health insurance program for the poor.
Mass. hospital could lose Medicare, Medicaid after botched kidney removal | Worcester (Mass.) Telegram
Staff at St. Vincent Hospital did not follow proper patient identification procedures in a July 20, 2016, surgery that resulted in a healthy kidney being removed from a patient, according to a report released by a federal agency Thursday about the error. The mistake has resulted in the hospital being placed on notice that its Medicare and Medicaid agreement will be terminated Dec. 12.
Highmark working with health systems on plans with lower expenses | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh-based insurer Highmark is collaborating with health systems in Pennsylvania's Cambria and Lehigh counties in offering health insurance plans that come with lower out-of-pocket expenses for members.
Layoff letters sent to 200 Cook County hospital network employees | DNAinfo.com
Layoff letters have been sent to more than 200 Cook County hospital network employees, a county spokeswoman confirmed Thursday.
New Jersey Legislature again turns to issue of out-of-network billing | NJBiz.com
One New Jersey insurer was recently fined $300,000 for patients who were balance billed for out-of-network care, highlighting a flaw with existing laws. The out-of-network issue is back in the legislative spotlight as proponents and opponents of a fix are gearing up for the latest round. And there are now two different bills.
With Blue Cross' exit, Nebraskans can expect even higher health premiums through Obamacare | Omaha World-Herald
About 82,000 Nebraskans will pay more than expected for individual health insurance next year because Blue Cross won't offer policies on the Affordable Care Act's exchange.
Florida declares new area of Zika transmission in Miami | Reuters
Florida Governor Rick Scott said state health officials have confirmed that local transmission of the mosquito-borne Zika virus is occurring in a new small area in Miami-Dade County, where the state believes two women and three men have been infected by the virus.
Denver Health will start texting more patients about their healthcare | The Denver Post
Denver Health sent 250,000 appointment reminders and 2,000 well child check reminders to patients via text message over the past three years. Now, a federal grant will allow Denver Health to expand its texting capabilities and tie those messages directly into patients' electronic health records.
