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.

Highmark sues over reduced ACA risk-corridor payments

Highmark is suing the federal government for $196 million in risk-corridor payments it says agencies are required to pay out under the Affordable Care Act, despite funding constraints put in place by Congress.

Overnight Healthcare: Zika fight enters new phase

House Republicans have introduced a bill that would provide $622 million in funding to fight the Zika virus this year, paid for by shifting funds that were intended to fight Ebola.

Physicians criticize Medicare Part B proposal at hearing

A proposed change to reduce reimbursement rates under Medicare Part B was largely panned by medical professionals who testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Hackers crack into DeKalb Healthcare's computer system

DeKalb Health in Indiana is the latest victim in the fight against hackers as the healthcare system reported that its administrative computer systems have become infected with ransomware. 

Pfizer to buy Anacor for $5.2B

Pfizer has agreed to buy the developer of topical skin treatments for $5.2 billion dollars, just weeks after a blockbuster deal with Allergen fell through.

Washington insurance rates to rise 13% in 2017

Thirteen health insurers in Washington have filed to sell 154 individual health plans for 2017 with rate increases that average 13.5 percent.

Report: Insurers’ losses on ACA exchanges don’t amount to ‘death spiral’

The majority of insurance companies offering individual health coverage on the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges lost money on those plans in 2015, according to a new McKinsey & Co. report.

'Big Data' in the healthcare estimated to top $34B by 2022

The "Global Big Data in Healthcare - Estimates & Forecast, 2015-2022" from Research and Markets estimates the healthcare sector is estimated to grow by $34B by 2022.

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.