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.

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Wearable heart monitor measures variability

Rockyview General Hospital is using biometric devices from biotricty Inc. to determine the effectiveness of monitoring heart rate variability to predict the onset of illness.

More exchange exits: Humana out of Virgina, Alabama; Blue Cross hints at leaving NC

Exit letters date back to April 15, prior to UnitedHealth's exchange exits and before Humana released an earnings report which partially blamed a 46 percent drop in profits on exchange losses.

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Humana latest to threaten Obamacare exchange exit in 2017

The company reported May 4 its profit decreased 46 percent year-over-year, with a 21 percent drop in the number of customers who bought plans from the exchanges

Will Fitbit boost its activity in healthcare?

Fitbit CEO James Park spoke about the expansion of the device in to the healthcare field recently, citing a lack of consumer engagement in healthcare as a problem he solve.

HHS awards $260M to build and renovate health centers

The money comes from the Community Health Center Fund, first established by the Affordable Care Act and extended by the passing of MACRA in 2015.

BCBS plans in several states won’t accept credit cards for insurance payments

Blue Cross Blue Shield has announced its plans in Illinois and several other states will no longer accept credit cards as a form of payment.

Moda Health exiting Alaska exchange in 2017

Only one insurer will be offering coverage on the health insurance exchange in Alaska with Moda Health's exit from the marketplace in 2017.

New York City will pay $4.3M to settle Medicare fraud case

The U.S. Department of Justice had argued the city's fire department submitted millions of dollars in claims for unnecessary ambulance services between 2008 and 2012

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.