Faster Than Mail?: Uber Tests Prescription Deliveries In Dallas, Seattle
The ride-sharing company is partnering with NimbleRx and will expand to other cities soon. News on industry changes looks at home treatments vs. hospital stays and more.
Dallas Morning News:
Uber Launches Prescription Delivery Pilot Program In Dallas And Seattle
Uber is getting into the pharmaceutical delivery business with a pilot program that will include Dallas and Seattle, the company said Thursday. Uber’s health arm is partnering with NimbleRx, which bills itself as the leading prescription delivery service and offers next-day delivery to 70% of the population of the United States as well as same-day delivery to 30%, according to the company. (DiFurio, 8/20)
Modern Healthcare:
Uber Enters Rx At-Home Delivery Market
Ride-sharing giant Uber on Thursday took its first step into the prescription delivery market. Uber's healthcare arm is working with NimbleRx, a startup that partners with independent and regional pharmacies to offer prescriptions through the startup's app or website and request same- or next-day home delivery direct to consumers.A pilot will serve the Seattle and Dallas metropolitan areas, with Uber drivers delivering medications. (Cohen, 8/20)
In other health industry news —
AP:
Pandemic Pushes Expansion Of 'Hospital-At-Home' Treatment
As hospitals care for people with COVID-19 and try to keep others from catching the virus, more patients are opting to be treated where they feel safest: at home. Across the U.S., “hospital at home” programs are taking off amid the pandemic, thanks to communications technology, portable medical equipment and teams of doctors, nurses, X-ray techs and paramedics. That’s reducing strains on medical centers and easing patients’ fears. (Johnson, 8/20)
Modern Healthcare:
Insurers' Cost-Sharing Waivers For COVID-19 Treatment Are Expiring
Most people with individual or fully insured group health coverage are enrolled in plans that eliminated out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 treatment during the pandemic, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. However, more than a third of people in those markets are in plans in which cost-sharing waivers have already expired or are slated to expire by the end of September, exposing plan members to potentially high out-of-pocket costs should they become sick, the analysis found. (Livingston, 8/20)
Modern Healthcare:
Union Sues HCA Over Alleged COVID Safety Failures
The union that represents about 1,100 employees of an HCA Healthcare hospital in Riverside, Calif. is suing the hospital and its for-profit owner, alleging they failed to keep employees and patients safe from COVID-19. SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West says in its lawsuit that Riverside Community Hospital created an unnecessarily dangerous work environment during the pandemic, endangering not only employees but patients, visitors, the community and employees' family members. The union claims administrators forced employees to work without adequate personal protective equipment and forced sick employees to work. (Bannow, 8/20)
Modern Healthcare:
Calif. Bill Could Stifle Healthcare M&A
A proposed California bill that would require the attorney general to sign off on any healthcare provider transaction exceeding $1 million would likely stifle mergers and acquisitions, regulatory experts said. The legislation would give California Attorney General Xavier Becerra—who would have 60 days to review a deal involving providers, private-equity firms and/or hedge funds—an "unprecedented expansion of authority," experts said, noting that the $1 million threshold would encompass most healthcare transactions. (Kacik, 8/20)
In financial news —
Modern Healthcare:
COVID-19 Pandemic Sinks Sutter's Margin To -11%
The COVID-19 pandemic has delivered a major blow to Sutter Health's bottom line, sinking its operating margin to almost -11%. The not-for-profit lost $321 million on $2.9 billion in revenue in the quarter ended June 30. The Sacramento, Calif.-based system's margin was already slim—just $36 million on $3.3 billion in revenue in the prior-year period, a 1% margin. (Bannow, 8/20)
Modern Healthcare:
Judge Approves Sale Of Bankrupt Proteus Digital Health To Otsuka
A judge has approved the sale of bankrupt Proteus Digital Health's assets to Otsuka Pharmaceutical for $15 million in cash. Redwood City, Calif.-based Proteus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June after running into challenges with its primary income source: royalties from Otsuka, which markets and distributes its products. From the start, Otsuka appeared to be the most likely buyer. (Bannow, 8/20)
