Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Amazon Care's Medical Provider Expanding Into 17 More States
Stat: Amazon Care’s Medical Partner Quietly Files To Operate In 17 More States
The clinical provider for Amazon Care, the tech giant’s virtual-first medical platform, is quietly gearing up to do business in 17 additional states, according to public documents viewed by STAT. Since 2018, Amazon has contracted with a Washington-based medical practice called Care Medical to offer staff in Washington state a combination of virtual and in-person visits through Amazon Care. (Brodwin, 3/3)
In other health care industry news —
Bloomberg: Prudential To Spin Off Jackson US Unit In Second Quarter To Focus On Asia
Prudential, which focuses mainly on life and health insurance, is looking to high growth markets in Asia and Africa for its future. After spinning off its U.K. business in 2019, the firm last year said it planned to separate Jackson via an initial public offering in 2021. The insurer abandoned that idea in January, announcing a demerger of the U.S. unit instead. The insurer will retain a near 20% non-controlling interest in Jackson following the spinoff. It then intends to monetize part of the stake to support investment in Asia, and to eventually own less than 10% of the unit. (Robertson, 3/3)
Modern Healthcare: Shareholder Group Calls Out HCA For Alleged Excessive Emergency Admissions
A union-linked investment group is demanding answers from HCA Healthcare after an analysis uncovered an alleged decade-long pattern of excessive emergency department admissions that may have netted well over $1 billion. CtW Investment Group cited an SEIU analysis that found the investor-owned hospital chain admits far more Medicare patients who visit its emergency rooms than the national average. The union estimates the practice may have netted HCA excess Medicare payments of $1.1 billion over the past five years and $1.6 billion since 2009. (Bannow, 3/2)
Modern Healthcare: OU Health Physicians, Oklahoma Blues Plan Fail To Reach New Contract
A disagreement over provider reimbursement rates will soon leave more than 830,000 patients out-of-network at Oklahoma's largest physician group. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma and OU Health Physicians were unable to finalize a contract for 2021. The health system and BCBS of Oklahoma have now entered a 120-day transition period, where BCBS of Oklahoma members can still receive in-network treatment through June 28. At that point, OU Health Physicians will be considered out-of-network for BCBS of Oklahoma members. The healthcare system said it provided services to approximately 131,600 BCBS insured patients in 2020. In a letter to these patients, Dr. John Zubialde, president of OU Health Physicians, said negotiations between the two parties have extended at least a year. (Tepper, 3/2)
Albuquerque Journal: Overhaul Of Medical Malpractice Law Debated
As the session enters its final weeks, New Mexico legislators are evaluating two starkly different proposals aimed at ensuring doctors can afford insurance for medical malpractice claims – while also protecting the rights of patients and families harmed by medical errors. It’s a debate that’s brought to the Roundhouse powerful testimony by physicians, hospital executives, trial lawyers and New Mexicans who have lost loved ones to medical mistakes. Each of the competing measures proposes to strengthen New Mexico’s patient compensation fund – an account that covers medical malpractice claims that exceed a certain amount. (McKay, 3/2)
NBC News: 'No Glass Ceiling': Tulane Doctor Files Discrimination Lawsuit Against Medical School
Dr. Princess Dennar of Tulane University was just a child in Southwest Philadelphia when she decided to become a doctor. ... Decades later, Dennar became the first Black woman to head the Tulane University School of Medicine's internal medicine-pediatrics program. ... Despite breaking well-established barriers through her position at Tulane, Dennar was suspended last month after she filed a federal lawsuit against the medical school in October. The lawsuit accuses Tulane of discrimination and "creating a race and gender-based hostile environment." (Thompson and Lozano, 3/2)
Boston Globe: A Friendly Dog Named Bob Brings A Bit Of Comfort And Connection To Patients
Bob is a mix of golden retriever and goldendoodle, tilted heavily toward retriever. And he’s an official Tufts Medical Center employee, complete with identification badge, who puts in an 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. shift after leaving Salem with his handler, Anne Marie Sirois, the hospital’s manager of volunteer services. Bob even has an Instagram account.“He’s probably the most popular staff member around. He’s a great co-worker,” Sirois said. (MacQuarrie, 2/2)
