Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Health Care CEOs Hit Pay Dirt In 2020
Axios: Health Giants Disclose Hefty Pandemic Year Paydays For Top Executives
Top executives at large health care companies have been registering more money during the 2020 pandemic year than before, new company filings show. The coronavirus upended how and when people sought care, but it didn't change the stock-heavy nature of how the industry's power brokers get paid. (Herman, 3/22)
The Wall Street Journal: Humana Opens Search For New CFO As Brian Kane Resigns
Health insurer Humana Inc. is looking for a new chief financial officer following the resignation of Brian Kane, who will step down on June 1. Mr. Kane is leaving to pursue other career goals, the Louisville, Ky.-based company said on Monday, without providing additional details. Mr. Kane will serve as an adviser through the end of the year, the company said. He has been Humana’s CFO since 2014. Humana has begun searching for a new finance chief, the company said. (Broughton and Dabaie, 3/22)
KHN: Under New Cost-Cutting Medicare Rule, Same Surgery, Same Place, Different Bill
A cost-saving change in Medicare launched in the final days of the Trump administration will cut payments to hospitals for some surgical procedures while potentially raising costs and confusion for patients. For years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services classified 1,740 surgeries and other services so risky for older adults that Medicare would pay for them only when they were admitted to the hospital as inpatients. Under the new rule, the agency is beginning to phase out that requirement and, on Jan. 1, 266 shoulder, spine and other musculoskeletal surgeries were crossed off what’s called the “inpatient-only list.” By the end of 2023, the list — which includes a variety of complicated procedures including brain and heart operations — is scheduled to be gone. (Jaffe, 3/23)
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The Baltimore Sun: Maryland Doctor-Delegate Tuned In Twice From Operating Room To Participate In Legislative Meetings
A state lawmaker who is also a surgeon has twice tuned into Maryland General Assembly committee meetings from an operating room during a legislative session in which many hearings and votes have been held online because of the coronavirus pandemic. When Del. Terri Hill’s Zoom account was logged into a March 12 meeting of the House of Delegates Health and Government Operations Committee for about an hour, it showed multiple gowned and masked figures moving about, with sets of operating room lights visible on the screen. (Wood, 3/23)
