Mayo Clinic, Alphabet’s Verily partner to build clinical decision support tools
The two plan to initially focus on a set of cardiovascular and cardiometabolic conditions.
Outpatient facilities targeted for cyberattacks nearly as often as hospitals, data shows
Business associates such as claims processors are also a prime target for hackers, and now account for 43% of all healthcare breaches, according to the report from Critical Insight.
Headspace, Ginger to merge, creating $3B mental health company
As Headspace Health, the two companies will offer support for mental health symptoms from anxiety to depression to more complex diagnoses, selling direct to consumer and to employers and health plans.
North Carolina amends certificate of need in bill headed to governor’s desk
The laws came under scrutiny as the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the nation last year and overwhelmed hospital resources, raising questions about the value of the restrictions.
Cigna to expand ACA footprint to 3 new states, 93 new counties next year
The expansion, which is pending regulatory approval, means Cigna’s exchange footprint now spans 13 states, and puts some 1.5 million additional consumers within reach.
Intermountain giving pay raises, boosting minimum wage to $15 an hour
The last time the system raised its minimum wage across the board was in 2019, to $13 an hour, though earlier this year nurses did receive an off-cycle wage adjustment, according to a spokesperson.
Diabetes screening advised to start at age 35 for overweight, obese
While the screening recommendation could lead to more treatment, and therefore more costs to health insurers, catching the disease earlier may save money in the long run.
J&J, without details, makes case for a coronavirus booster shot
A second shot given six months after the first appears to provide a bigger immune response, the company said, a finding J&J aims to take to regulators in the U.S. and elsewhere.
UPS delivers COVID-19 vaccines via temperature-controlled drone
The first delivery will go from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in North Carolina to one of the health system’s family medical practices.
Florida Blue parent GuideWell to acquire Puerto Rico’s BCBS carrier
One aim of the deal is to provide a more competitive Medicare Advantage product in Florida and Puerto Rico, executives outlined in a letter to other Blue Cross Blue Shield CEOs.