Healthcare real estate investor Welltower has announced it will acquire the outstanding shares of Quality Care Properties and form a joint venture with Toledo, Ohio-based health system ProMedica for the real estate holdings of QCP tenants HCR ManorCare and Arden Courts.

The growth in Medicare Advantage membership has benefited hospitals and physician groups that operate their own plans, with total enrollment increasing by more than 20 percent to three million beneficiaries since 2015.

A new CMS proposal will require hospitals to post their standard prices for treatments online and aims to increase patient access to electronic health records (EHRs).

An academic and insurance executive discussed innovations to control healthcare costs in the U.S., including pricing reforms and payment modifications.

In an April 23 release, CMS announce it is seeking input on an alternative payment model that would allow direct provider contracting (DPC) between payers and primary care or multi-specialty groups. CMS asked for comments to inform possible testing for such a model for Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid.

President Donald Trump has postponed this week’s speech on battling rising prescription drug costs, according to the White House. No future date, time or location has been announced for the speech, previously scheduled for Thursday, April 26.

Higher deductible bronze-level plans were more popular on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges in 2018, but customers may not be aware that moving toward this coverage will leave them paying out of pocket for primary care until they hit their deductible—leading some to avoid primary care altogether due to the costs.

Some of the largest healthcare companies, including for-profit hospital chains, insurers and pharmaceuticals, will pay a combined $10 billion less in taxes for 2018 thanks to the corporate tax cuts passed by Republicans and signed into law by President Donald Trump, according to a report published by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon.