Week Ahead: CVS, CHS, AllScripts ready earnings reports

Feb. 18: It's the deadline for providers and payers to send information to a bipartisan group of senators asking for information on surprise medical billing. Earlier this month, Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) asked the industry to share data they hope sheds light on why consumers receive unexpected bills. The senators asked insurers to outline what they pay for out-of-network care on average and how those rates compare to Medicare rates, average in-network rates, and provider charges.

Feb. 20: Insurance industry analysts are anxiously waiting for CVS Health to report its Q4 2018 financial results. It'll be the first quarter since the pharmacy behemoth closed its $70 billion deal to acquire health insurer Aetna in November.

Feb. 20: Also on Wednesday, Community Health Systems will release its Q4 2018 financial results after market close. The investor-owned hospital chain's executives will host a call to discuss the results on Feb. 21. Investors will be paying close attention to the company's progress in selling hospitals to pay down its debt. CHS missed its 2018 goal of generating $1.3 billion in proceeds from divestitures last year, having pulled in only $400 million.

Feb. 21: Electronic health record system company AllScripts Healthcare plans to announce its Q4 2018 and year-end earnings results. The figures will include any effects from a ransomware incident last year, as well as those from layoffs announced in December.

Sometime this week: The proposed rule on the Title X family planning program is expected to be released. The Trump administration wants to defund Planned Parenthood through a provision that bans money from going to providers who also perform abortions. The proposed rule would give HHS authority to penalize any Title X-funded clinic that doesn't comply with the rule.