M&A trend: More acquisitions of small or ‘distressed’ hospitals
Hospital M&A deals in 2019 have included increasing shares of financially distressed and smaller hospitals.
Congress is still expected to pass a surprise-bill measure this year
Congress is likely to enact surprise-bill legislation in the waning days of 2019, according to policy advisers.
Nov. 25-29: CMS comment deadlines are among the week’s healthcare finance events
Deadlines to comment on various CMS initiatives affecting hospitals are among the major healthcare finance events taking place the week of Nov. 25.
One health system finds ‘millions’ of reasons to audit value-based payments
A health system identified millions of dollars in underpayments that it should have received as part of two value-based payment arrangements in recent years.
Administration finalizes requirement for hospitals to post rates paid by health plans
A newly finalized requirement will require hospitals to post rates that are privately negotiated with health plans, as well as rates for a list of 300 “shoppable services.”
White House healthcare leader expresses skepticism of mandatory models
The Trump administration’s healthcare policy leader was openly skeptical about further use of mandatory payment models after Medicare has added several in recent years.
Why the Trump administration is pursuing hospital payment cuts that courts have rejected
The Trump administration is continuing to push hospital payment cuts rejected by courts to make the case to Congress that new laws are needed, according to a senior White House official.
Federal policy drives hospital-practice deals but not M&A between hospitals, MedPAC finds
Federal policy is not driving hospital M&A but is encouraging hospital purchases of practices, a key congressional advisory group said.
Transparency rule could come this month, White House executive says
A controversial requirement for hospitals to publicly post the rates they negotiate with health plans is expected this month, according to a senior White House official.
Hospitals baffled over why Medicare continues site-neutral payments, 340B cuts despite adverse court rulings
Hospital advocates blasted two major payment cuts that were implemented recently despite court orders overriding the cuts and warned about the consequences.