Ransomware Attack Forces Ambulances To Divert In Indianapolis
After an attempted ransomware attack Wednesday, Eskenazi Health was forced into diversion -- sending all incoming ambulances to other hospitals. Higher medical claims from covid, One Medical, Aetna Medicare, JP Morgan, HumanCo and more are also in the news.
Indianapolis Star:
Eskenazi Health Diverts Patients Due To Attempted Ransomware Attack
Eskenazi Health went on diversion, meaning all incoming ambulances were routed to other hospitals, after an attempted ransomware attack early Wednesday morning. The attack occurred around 3:30 a.m., and the diversion began at 7:51 a.m. Wednesday. As of Wednesday evening, the diversion was still in place. The move affected all of the health system's locations, including Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital downtown. (Rafford, 8/4)
In other health care industry news —
Axios:
CVS Reports Higher Medical Claims As Coronavirus Cases Rise
For every premium dollar that CVS Health's insurance arm, Aetna, collected in the second quarter, it paid a little more than 84 cents to medical providers — a "medical loss ratio" that was a lot higher than Wall Street expected. Health insurers were the main beneficiaries of the pandemic last year, as the widespread delay of doctor visits and procedures greatly offset what they had to pay for COVID-19 hospitalizations. (Herman, 8/5)
NPR:
One Medical Employees Accuse Concierge Care Provider Of Less Focus On Patients
The health care company One Medical, under government scrutiny for allegedly using vaccine distribution to increase its bottom line, is facing a new challenge from within: employees who accuse the company of placing profits over patients. Dozens of One Medical employees are trying to unionize as a response to what they say has been mismanagement of the organization's COVID-19 response, poor working conditions for staff and, they allege, a declining focus on patients. (Mak, 8/4)
Modern Healthcare:
Aetna Medicare Advantage Program Targeted In OIG Audit
Aetna's Medicare Advantage business is being audited by the HHS' Office of Inspector General, parent company CVS Health disclosed in a federal filing Wednesday. CVS Health's Aetna is under scrutiny as the HHS inspector general cracks down on inaccurate risk-adjustment scores submitted by Medicare Advantage plans, which have been growing in popularity. Aetna covers 4.1 million Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement customers. Humana's and Anthem's Medicare Advantage operations also have attracted the inspector general's attention. (Tepper, 8/4)
CNBC:
JPMorgan's New Health Business Makes Inaugural Investment In Start-Up Vera Whole Health
JPMorgan Chase’s new healthcare unit has made its first investment, CNBC has learned exclusively. The bank has agreed to invest $50 million in Vera Whole Health, a Seattle-based start-up that is pioneering a new, subscription-type model for employee healthcare. Further, through the bank’s Morgan Health unit — a new business unveiled in May after a joint venture with Amazon and Berkshire Hathaway folded — JPMorgan will begin offering Vera’s services to its employees during benefits enrollment season this fall, the companies said. (Son, 8/4)
Bloomberg:
Venus Williams Joins Health Brand Owner HumanCo’s Advisory Board
Seven-time tennis Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams is joining the advisory board of HumanCo, which is seeking to build a portfolio of health-focused consumer brands before eventually going public. “I am thrilled to be joining HumanCo’s board of advisors and supporting their mission to help people live their healthiest lives,” Williams, 41, said in an emailed statement, adding that she will also invest in Austin-based HumanCo. “I believe that investing in one’s health is the most important thing we can do as individuals. As a professional athlete and a businesswoman, fueling my body with the highest quality products is pivotal for success.” (Tan, 8/4)
Modern Healthcare:
Feds Hit With "Tidal Wave" Of Merger Filings
Merger filings are surging, which will delay regulatory reviews this year, the Federal Trade Commission advised companies Tuesday. Filings have already exceeded 2,000 through July, up from 815 during the same period last year and 1,136 in 2019, according to federal data. Businesses can complete their proposed mergers before the FTC finishes its reviews, but regulators can still retroactively challenge the transactions if they violate antitrust laws, the FTC warned. (Kacik, 8/4)
KHN:
Providence-KP Team Up To Attract Patients In California’s Growing High Desert Region
A plan by Providence and Kaiser Permanente to build a new medical center in the High Desert region of California is the latest example of leading hospital chains seeking market advantage. They intend to spend up to $1 billion to build a hospital in Victorville, a city of about 123,000 that sits 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The site is only 11 miles from a hospital Providence already owns, and plans to close, in the adjoining city of Apple Valley. The new site is next to Interstate 15, a major artery that cuts across a swath of the Mojave Desert and through the San Bernardino Mountains toward the more populous cities of Fontana, Riverside and San Bernardino. That location should help ratchet up market share in an area whose population has skyrocketed over the past four decades. Victorville’s population has nearly doubled since 2000. (Wolfson, 8/5)
