Economics

This channel highlights factors that impact hospital and healthcare economics and revenue. This includes news on healthcare policies, reimbursement, marketing, business plans, mergers and acquisitions, supply chain, salaries, staffing, and the implementation of a cost-effective environment for patients and providers.

WellCare, Centene reportedly interested in Aetna’s Medicare Advantage business

Aetna is looking to jettison its Medicare Advantage plans in order to placate antitrust concerns at the Department of Justice over its proposed merger with Humana, and Reuters is reporting at least two companies are competing for that portfolio.

Personalized healthcare using your own DNA

A huge step forward in terms of personalized medicine is being developed, because what’s more personal than DNA? 

Oregon co-op closure leaves 8 of original 23 standing

Oregon’s Health CO-OP, one of two nonprofit co-ops set up in the state by the Affordable Care Act, will shut down at the end of July.

Teaching patients about their health through a single piece of paper

With only 60 percent of patients being able to clearly say why they are taking a medication, patient adherence seems to be at an all-time low. Physicians at the Cleveland Clinic hope to improve that percentage by implementing a simple and easy way to teach patients on their own care.

Narrow networks lead to fights between providers, insurers over surprise bills

When patients unknowingly use an out-of-network physician—sometimes at facilities which they’ve previously confirmed to be within their network—providers and insurers appear to be blaming each other when patients get surprised by the bill.

Experimental treatment of autism offers hope, confusion, mixed results

The space between anecdote and solid evidence can be wide. Two recent stories and a podcast investigate such a situation—this time looking at an experimental treatment for autism.

Study: Richest 20% of Americans consume almost half the healthcare

Healthcare inequality is alive and well in America. A recent study, published by Health Affairs, has found that wealthy Americans now consume 43 percent more healthcare than the poorest 20 percent of Americans. 

Shuffle 'em: Healthcare flash cards aim to spread knowledge

Flash cards are moving into the healthcare industry with help from Involution Studios, which has developed packs of “Health Care Cards”.

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.