Ascension posts $1.1 billion net loss for 2024 after May cyberattack
The cyberattack had far reaching effects, forcing the health system to shut down pharmacies, divert ambulances, switch to manual record keeping and close critical systems.
Oak Street Health pays $60M to settle allegations of kickback scheme
Before the primary care chain was purchased by CVS Health, Oak Street illegally paid marketing agents for referring Medicare-eligible seniors to its clinics, according to the Department of Justice.
US is drastically behind other wealthy nations on healthcare, despite spending the most
The Commonwealth Fund analyzed the healthcare systems of 10 nations and found the U.S. ranked last in access to care, health outcomes and overall. The U.S. “really is in a class by itself,” one researcher said.
J&J threatened with sanctions over plan to rebate 340B drugs
The HHS agency that oversees the 340B drug discount program is threatening Johnson and Johnson with steep fines — and loss of access to Medicare and Medicaid — if it stops giving hospitals upfront discounts.
CHS subsidiary to acquire 10 urgent care centers
Community Health Systems is the latest for-profit health system to invest in urgent care, following peers like HCA and Tenet.
Amazon expands digital health benefits program with Talkspace partnership
Talkspace is the second company on Amazon’s marketplace. The program launched this year with a partnership with chronic condition management firm Omada Health.
Express Scripts sues FTC over report damning pharmacy benefit managers
The major PBM said its lawsuit is necessary to protect against misinformation about the controversial drug middlemen, while the FTC promised to defend its research.
Health benefit costs to rise 5.8% per employee in 2025: survey
About half of employers said they would make cost-cutting changes to their plans next year, like increasing deductibles or other cost-sharing provisions, according to a report from consultancy Mercer.
Johns Hopkins appoints cybersecurity chief
Janet Rathod, who joins the system from Citigroup, will succeed long-time chief information security officer Darren Lacey.
Walgreens settles allegations of fraudulent billing with DOJ
The Illinois-based pharmacy giant has agreed to pay almost $107 million to settle claims it billed Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs for prescriptions that were never dispensed.