Hospitals to end year with negative margins, Kaufman Hall reports
Labor expenses rose 3% from September to October and total expenses rose 1%, while supply and drug expenses fell slightly during the month.
UnitedHealth Group projects up to $360B in 2023 revenue, buoyed by Optum growth
The projected revenue growth comes after the Department of Justice announced this month that it would appeal a federal judge’s decision that allowed UnitedHealth’s $13 billion purchase of Change Healthcare to close.
Ousted MetroHealth CEO, facing embezzlement allegations, sues hospital over termination
Akram Boutros’ lawsuit alleges that MetroHealth’s board members were participating in secret deliberations outside of public meetings, violating the law during the hiring process for incoming CEO Airica Steed.
Travel nurse pay remains high as hospitals fill gaps from staff departures
Demand for contract labor is now being driven by core staff vacancies, rather than high volumes of COVID-19 patients.
What to make of Eisai and Biogen’s latest Alzheimer’s drug data
At a medical conference, the companies detailed clinical trial results that could help support approval of their drug, lecanemab. However, some doctors aren’t yet convinced the medicine’s risks are worth its potential benefits.
Advocate Aurora plans rate hike at Wisconsin locations
The Midwest hospital system said the increases are necessary to offset continued market and industry challenges compounded by inflation, inadequate reimbursement rates and ripple effects from the COVID-19 pandemic.
HHS proposed rule targets substance use stigma
The American Hospital Association backed the new rule, saying it would improve the exchange of patient records in the treatment of substance use disorders.
CMS warns hospitals must protect staff, patients from violence
Hospitals must effectively mitigate risks to ensure patients and staff are safe as part of their Medicare certification, the agency said in a Monday memo, noting that some facilities have received citations for failing to do so.
Google Health inks first licensing agreement for mammography AI tech
Under the agreement, medtech company iCAD will work to validate and incorporate Google’s mammography AI — which Google has been building and testing for several years — into its products for use in clinical practices.
Amwell in talks to acquire Talkspace: report
The reported $200 million transaction reflects a sharp decline in Talkspace’s value since the therapy company went public last summer at a $1.4 billion valuation.