Human Error In ICUs Has Led To Patient Harm In 23% Of Cases: Study
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study finds that delayed diagnoses, misdiagnoses and other such human errors made in intensive care units have hurt patients more often than previously estimated. More health industry news reports on Medicare Advantage, private investments, cancer treatments, and more.
Cognitive Rehab May Help Older Adults Clear Covid-Related Brain Fog
By Judith Graham
August 5, 2022
KFF Health News Original
People whose brains have been injured by concussions, traumatic accidents, strokes, or neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease can benefit from targeted therapy. Experts also employ therapies for long-covid patients with memory and language problems.
Study: When Private Equity Buys Hospitals, Medical Errors Soar
January 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
A major study found that the rate of serious medical complications increased when hospitals were bought by investors, sometimes at alarming rates. Also in the news: Medicare Advantage plans hitting rural hospitals; a health care data breach affecting over a million people; and more.
Overpayments To Medicare Advantage Insurers Now Top $75 Billion Yearly
June 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Axios reports that the overpayment figure, from researchers at the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, is higher than estimated. Also in the news, better working conditions demanded by SLU Hospital nurses, growing demand for home health nursing programs, and more.
Study Shines Spotlight On TB Outbreak From Contaminated Bone Graft
January 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Bone allografts contaminated with tuberculosis are the subject of the new study. The donated tissue caused two deaths. Also in the news: CVS Health predicts Aetna will enroll many more Medicare Advantage beneficiaries than it had predicted; Marshfield Clinic and Essentia Health called off a merger; and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, April 6, 2023
April 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Abortion laws, air quality link to dementia, covid origins, RSV vaccine, Medicare Advantage denials, military suicides, and moer are in the news.
‘Free’ Screening? Know Your Rights to Get No-Cost Care
By Julie Appleby
July 6, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Even a decade in, the Affordable Care Act’s recommendations to simply cover preventive screening and care without cost sharing remain confusing and complex.
UnitedHealth Sued Over Coverage Denials
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The insurance giant uses an artificial intelligence tool to allegedly deny post-acute care coverage to Medicare Advantage members, a newly filed lawsuit says. Separately, the Justice Department is dropping an antitrust case against a UnitedHealth Group affiliate over hiring agreements.
Morning Briefing for Friday, March 24, 2023
March 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Autism rates, Medicare Advantage, abortion, covid vaccine requirements, TB, youth mental health, and more are in the news. Plus, weekend reads.
‘It’s Becoming Too Expensive to Live’: Anxious Older Adults Try to Cope With Limited Budgets
By Judith Graham
September 7, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Three women explain how life’s surprises can catapult their efforts to carefully manage limited budgets and lead to financial distress.
Senators Slam Medicare Advantage Insurers Over ‘Exorbitant Salaries’
March 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Jeff Merkley lobbed criticism in a series of letters to Humana, Centene, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna CVS Health, Molina Health, Elevance Health, and Cigna, Stat reported. Also: Medicaid news from North Carolina, Connecticut, and Montana.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, February 22, 2023
February 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
A failed covid drug trial, orphan drugs, Medicare Advantage enrollment, hospital prices, vaccines, mpox, and more are in today’s news.
CDC Advisory Panel Giving Incorrect Advice For Stopping Hospital Infections: Experts
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Hundreds of health industry experts will send a second letter to the CDC asking the agency to hold public meetings over proposals to update its Isolation Precautions guidance. Also in the news: the NCQA’s 2023 health plan ratings, Medicare Advantage ads, and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, February 2, 2023
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s roundup covers Medicaid, covid variants and treatments, abortion pills, Medicare Advantage, overdoses, mental health, and more.
SmileDirectClub Customers Lose Support After Abrupt Shutdown
December 13, 2023
Morning Briefing
Axios reports on the problems facing people who’ve bought teeth-alignment systems from SmileDirectClub, which suddenly collapsed. Separately, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries filed a class-action suit against Humana over alleged use of an algorithm to cut off rehabilitation care payments.
Senators Propose Medicare Hospital Incentives To Relieve Drug Shortages
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Senate Finance Committee released a paper Thursday that floats multiple legislative proposals for fixing the current national crisis over prescription drug shortages, including bonuses to hospitals that take steps to fend off shortfalls. Separately, Sen. Elizabeth Warren is urging the White House to take steps to tackle Medicare Advantage overpayments and denials.
CMS Signals That Medicare Advantage Payments Will Decline In 2024
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services previewed Wednesday its 2024 payments and rates for Medicare Advantage. While a rate increase is proposed, insurers could see an average 2.3% cut to baseline payments, Stat reports. The agency also released planned changes to Medicare Part D and the star ratings programs.
White House Moves To Crack Down On Medicare Advantage Care Denials
April 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Final regulations issued Wednesday mean Medicare Advantage plans won’t be able to reject coverage of care that would otherwise be covered for those enrolled in the traditional Medicare program, Stat explains. Nursing home payments, hospital executive compensation, and more are also in the news.
Decisions by CVS and Optum Panicked Thousands of Their Sickest Patients
By Arthur Allen
February 7, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Pharmacy closures by two of the biggest home infusion companies point to grave shortages and dangers for patients who require IV nutrition to survive.
Cigna Is In Advanced Talks To Sell Its Medicare Business
January 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal explains the deal is an about-face for the giant health insurer, which has been expanding its footprint in the sector. The deal for Medicare Advantage is said to be with Health Care Service Corp. and worth up to $4 billion. Also in the news: problems for some asthma patients from new Medicaid rebate rules.
