Cigna reports special enrollment period led to bump in medical claims, still posts $1.6B profit
Analysts characterized the third quarter results as mixed, even as the payer hiked its forecast for the remainder of the year.
Women in the healthcare C-suite on what they’ve learned
Teladoc CFO Mala Murthy and Mount Sinai Health System President Margaret Pastuszko told Healthcare Dive what struggles they have faced as women in leadership roles and what advice they give to others.
Outset nabs first CMS home dialysis add-on payment, setting up fight with Fresenius
The company, whose application was rejected last year, persuaded the Medicare agency its portable dialysis machine is a “substantial clinical improvement” over the incumbent home-use hemodialysis product.
COVID-19 medical costs drag Aetna’s commercial business, but CVS still posts $1.6B in Q3 profit
Though the pandemic continues to stress CVS’ payer segment, drugstores continue to benefit from COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, particularly as a greater number of employers begin to mandate the shots.
Humana cuts outlook after delta surge raises utilization expectations
Hospitalization trends were on par with January 2021, the height of the pandemic. As a result, Humana expects utilization to run higher than its original forecast, cutting into earnings expectations for the full year.
CMS finalizes plans to hike price transparency penalties, extend telehealth flexibilities
The agency is also moving forward with a plan to stop the elimination of the Medicare inpatient-only list, which is a win for hospitals.
CDC panel unanimously backs use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in young children
CDC director Rochelle Walensky signed off on the committee’s recommendations Tuesday night, allowing kids to start receiving the vaccine.
How hospitals leveraged on-site child care during the pandemic in a bid to drive retention
An overwhelming amount of healthcare jobs are held by women, and on-site child care can drive better retention amid a “Great Resignation,” as burned out employees across all industries reevaluate their roles and workplaces.
Delta dragged down hospital margins in September, Kaufman Hall says
Patient volumes declined in almost every key category, including emergency room visits and operating room minutes, according to the consulting group.
For-profit hospitals had more COVID-19 admissions in Q3
While the ongoing pandemic exacerbated labor strains for operators, volumes rose across the board — especially in emergency departments.