Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Kaiser Permanente Is First Health System To Win Carbon-Neutral Status
Modern Healthcare: Kaiser First Health System To Become Carbon Neutral
Eight years after making its first pledge to reduce its carbon footprint, Kaiser Permanente has achieved the landmark of becoming the nation's first health system to become carbon neutral. The health system on Monday announced it gained carbon-neutral status certification by the CarbonNeutral Protocol, an international recognition by global consulting firm Natural Capital Partners. (Johnson, 9/14)
Modern Healthcare: Labs Struggling To Comply With UnitedHealthcare Test Registry Requirements
New billing rules from UnitedHealthcare have the lab industry concerned about additional administrative burdens and the potential for an increase in denials from the nation's largest health insurer. At the beginning of March, the payor began rolling out notices of its new test registry protocol, under which labs must register with UHC the tests they offer and include a unique test code for each test they bill the insurer in order to be reimbursed. (Bonislawski, 9/11)
In merger and financial news —
Modern Healthcare: Lifespan, Care New England Merger Raises Antitrust Concerns, M&A Experts Say
The revitalized merger between Lifespan and Care New England Health System will likely raise antitrust concerns, and executives will have to prove their combined market share across Rhode Island won't significantly harm competition and that service reduction or closure is otherwise imminent, hospital merger and acquisition experts said. (Kacik, 9/11)
Crain's Chicago Business: Northwestern Medicine, Palos Health Eye Merger
Northwestern Medicine and Palos Health are looking to merge, the systems said this morning. The two have signed a letter of intent for Palos to join Northwestern Medicine, subject to regulatory approval and both their boards approving a definitive agreement, according to a statement. (Goldberg, 9/11)
Modern Healthcare: Blues Plans Report Mixed Earnings Results Amid Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic treated the health insurance sector well in the first half of 2020. Many Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans were no exception. A Modern Healthcare examination of not-for-profit Blues companies revealed that a number of them saw a big jump in income as they benefited from the widespread deferral of expensive elective procedures, which resulted in fewer claims to pay. (Livingston, 9/12)
Modern Healthcare: Atlantic Health, CentraState Healthcare Expand Affiliation
Atlantic Health System aims to become the majority corporate member of CentraState Healthcare System, the not-for-profit New Jersey health systems announced Monday. Under the proposed deal outlined in the letter of intent, which would require state and federal approval, both systems would hold seats on a single CentraState governing board, each with specific rights and responsibilities, executives said. It would build on their clinical affiliation in oncology and neuroscience. (Kacik, 9/14)
