Mortality rates low for hospital-at-home patients, study finds
The study could support extending acute hospital care at home, researchers said. Currently, a pandemic-era waiver for the programs is set to expire at the end of the year.
Most nonprofit hospitals and health systems had at least 150 days of cash on hand in 2022, KFF finds
An analysis of cash on hand suggests some nonprofit health systems had a financial cushion to weather tough operating conditions in 2022 — even while operating margins decreased.
Walgreens to pay Humana $360M to settle drug pricing dispute
The settlement is a little over half of what Walgreens was originally ordered to pay, after an arbiter said the retail pharmacy chain overcharged Humana for prescription drugs for more than a decade.
Digital health funding reached lowest level since 2019 last year: report
Startups turned to “creative” funding mechanisms like unlabeled and silent rounds to buy time in 2023, but those strategies likely won’t work again this year, according to a report by Rock Health.
Amazon launches chronic condition management portal; Omada nabs first partnership
The new program surfaces eligible benefits for weight management, diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions when users search Amazon for related devices, like a glucose monitor.
Elevance sues HHS over Medicare Advantage star ratings
The payer is taking issue with how regulators calculated quality scores for 2024, after seeing a stars decline that could cause its bonus revenue to fall by $500 million.
HHS names first chief competition officer
Stacy Sanders will work with regulators to tackle industry consolidation in an effort to rein in rising healthcare costs.
Essentia Health, Marshfield Clinic abandon merger plans
The Midwestern health systems had been in merger discussions since October 2022.
Providers push back on info blocking penalties
Provider groups argued for changes in financial penalties and more information on an appeals process.
Healthcare technology trends to watch in 2024
Experts discuss their predictions for healthcare industry trends, including investment and consolidation in digital health, adoption of artificial intelligence and improving cybersecurity in healthcare in 2024.