SPOTLIGHT -
Todd Shryock is managing editor of Medical Economics.
Credit rating agency labels nonprofit hospital sector as “deteriorating.”
Labor troubles and investment losses have created difficult challenges for nonprofit hospitals and health systems
One-third of companies report workers responsible for health data leaks
Digitization of health care comes at a cost
Undiagnosed diabetes may be less prevalent than first thought
Overall numbers may be lower, but the obese, racial/ethnic minorities, and those without health care access have higher numbers of undiagnosed diabetes
Health care spending continues decades long rise
Almost a third of spending is on insurance premiums and out-of-pocket payments
Nearly 4 in 10 Americans say inflation affecting their health care
Patients are either skipping care completely, cutting costs elsewhere, or borrowing money to pay for health care
Financial problems cause delays in care and exacerbate social determinants of health
Poll shows that minority populations are suffering the most.
Inflation eases slightly in July
Falling energy prices offset modest gains in other categories
MGMA asks feds for fair warning before additional surprise billing requirements are enforced
Medical Group Management Association wants six months’ notice before additional measures take effect
Cybercriminals using medical devices to hack hospitals
Security experts have been warning health care companies for years that all the connected medical devices are potential vulnerabilities
CVS might be your next boss
CVS plans to rapidly expand into primary care by the end of the year
Health care spending hit $3.07 trillion in 2019
Health spending up 14.3% between 2016 and 2019
25% of people believe harassing public health officials is OK
21% think it’s OK to threaten public health officials over business closures
Physician practices and hospitals see six consecutive months of negative margins
Increase in patient volume and revenue not enough to outweigh the growing cost of care
CMS proposing overhaul of Medicare accountable care organization rules
Attempts to steer more physicians into ACOs are part of the plan
Internists, AAFP endorse health provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
American College of Physicians, AAFP backs Affordable Care Act subsidies, drug price negotiations for Medicare
Average data breach now costs record $4.35 million
Most organizations report multiple data breaches
Fed raises interest rates 0.75% for second straight month
The move was expected as the central bank continues to try to rein in inflation
How to invest during rising inflation
The right strategy can help protect your wealth and keep you on track for retirement
Study: Payer-specific factors drive regional health care spending
Variances in regional health care spending are not limited to either private or public payers
Amazon acquires membership-based primary care company One Medical for $3.9 billion
Move puts Amazon squarely in the primary care space with locations in 16 major metro areas with more on the way
Racial discrimination affects brain microstructure and increases risk for health disorders
Study shows stress of discrimination affects the brain in a way that may enhance the risk for negative health outcomes
Fewer denials as volume increases for hospitals
Report shows positive changes, but plenty of room for improvement to reduce the number of denials
Mega deals drive historic high $19.2 billion in health care mergers
Fewer deals, but big money dominates
Inflation increases more than expected
Consumer Price Index up 9.1% in June
Survey: Clinicians say COVID-19 testing remains critical
Two-thirds report conducting on-site testing.
Study finds reason why chronic pain and opioid use disorder are often linked
Patients with central sensitization struggle more with pain and quitting opioids
Another year, another proposed fee schedule cut from Uncle Sam
Proposed 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule cuts conversion factor by 4.42%, meaning lower pay for treating Medicare patients
Medicare Advantage plans not much of an advantage for diabetes patients
Diabetes patients with a Medicare Advantage plan had poorer health than those on fee-for-service plans
2 in 5 Americans don’t understand common health insurance terminology
Survey shows that most Americans struggle to identify common acronyms and terminology.
Malpractice rates on the rise
Survey from MGMA shows majority of doctors saw an increase since 2020
