Contract Standoff Between Anthem And Hartford HealthCare Could Disrupt Services
Outlets report on hospitals and medical system news from Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida and Kansas.
The CT Mirror:
Anthem-Hartford HealthCare Dispute Spurs Loud Call For Legislation
Connecticut state officials heard a renewed call on Tuesday for legislative action to avoid another disruption in health care like the one caused by the contract standoff between Hartford HealthCare and Anthem that lasted seven weeks starting Oct. 1. The Legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee had scheduled a hearing before the two sides came to an agreement on Nov. 18, but decided to go forward with it despite the settlement. (Rigg, 11/28)
The Baltimore Sun:
S&P Raises Rating While Fitch Downgrades University Of Maryland Medical System Bonds
Two debt ratings agencies offered different takes this week on bonds issued for the University of Maryland Medical System as it’s poised to break ground Thursday on a new hospital in Prince George’s County. S&P Global Ratings announced that it has raised its ratings on the Maryland Health & Higher Education Facilities Authority's health care revenue bonds issued for the state medical system to A from A- with a “stable” outlook for the future. Fitch Ratings, however, downgraded UMMS bonds to A- from A as the authority is about to issue nearly $175 million in new bonds for UMMS to pay for its share of the new hospital and other projects. (Dinsmore, 11/28)
The Philadelphia Inquirer/Philly.com:
Blossom Says New Providers To Step In
Blossom Philadelphia said Tuesday in a letter to families that it will transition its residential services for adults with intellectual disabilities to four providers, with the goal of completing the move by the end of the year. It did not identify the new providers of services for Blossom’s 89 residents. The letter from Blossom’s chief executive, Paula Czyzewski, emailed at about 5:30 p.m., said the Chestnut Hill nonprofit would work closely with city and state officials and the new providers to ensure a smooth transition. “We understand that any change can be difficult, but remaining with Blossom Philadelphia for residential services is not an option,” the letter said. (Brubaker, 11/28)
Miami Herald:
Cancer Care Alliance To Offer Blood And Marrow Transplantation, Cellular Therapy
Florida’s leading cancer treatment center is setting up shop in Pembroke Pines under a new partnership with South Broward’s public hospital network, Memorial Healthcare System, to provide clinical care of leukemia and lymphoma and to establish the county’s only blood and marrow transplant cellular therapy program. (Chang, 11/28)
KCUR:
Inspectors Return To Osawatomie State Hospital For Federal Recertification Check
Inspectors arrived Tuesday at Osawatomie (Kansas) State Hospital to determine whether the state-run psychiatric facility can regain its federal certification and, with it, its Medicaid funding. Osawatomie State Hospital lost its certification in December 2015 after a patient attacked a staff member, prompting an investigation that revealed staffing shortages and other issues that put patients and staff at risk. (Fox, 11/28)
And a New York hospital improperly bills sexual assault survivors for rape exams —
The Wall Street Journal:
Brooklyn Hospital Violated State Law On Rape Kits
A Brooklyn Hospital violated state law when it charged dozens of patients for sexual-assault evidence kits, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said at a news briefing Tuesday. The Brooklyn Hospital Center conducted 86 forensic rape examinations—better known as rape kits—from January 2015 to February 2017. In 85 of those cases, the center billed the patient directly or their private insurance plan without letting the patient know they could receive the exam without charge. (Kanno-Youngs, 11/28)
The Associated Press:
Sex Assault Victims Billed For Rape Kits Will Be Reimbursed
Dozens of sexual assault survivors were improperly billed for their rape exams by a New York City hospital, the state’s attorney general said Tuesday. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said that under an agreement with his office, the Brooklyn Hospital Center will reimburse patients who paid out of pocket for a rape kit and will inform rape survivors going forward that under a 2005 New York state law the rape kits can be billed to the state’s Office of Victim Services. (Matthews, 11/28)
