Category: News

Feds launch investigation into UnitedHealth over Change cyberattack

Feds launch investigation into UnitedHealth over Change cyberattack

March 13, 2024

LAUREN BERRYMAN   

The federal government has launched an investigation into UnitedHealth Group and its Change Healthcare subsidiary regarding the unprecedented cyberattack inflicted on the technology company that has wreaked havoc throughout the healthcare system.

Melanie Fontes Rainer, director of the Health and Human Services Department’s Office for Civil Rights, announced the probe Wednesday in a letter addressed to colleagues. 

The agency is looking into whether protected health data was compromised and if UnitedHealth has complied with breach notification requirements and federal privacy and security rules.

CMS offers relief to providers affected by Change Healthcare outage

CMS offers relief to providers affected by Change Healthcare outage

March 05, 2024

LAUREN BERRYMAN   

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has rolled out efforts to help providers navigate the Change Healthcare outage disrupting healthcare operations nationwide, the Health and Human Services Department announced Tuesday.

CMS ordered its claims administrators to assist pharmacies, hospitals and others that need to use alternate means to process transactions while Change Healthcare, part of UnitedHealth Group’s Optum subsidiary, works to get its systems back online following a Feb. 21 cyberattack. The agency also offered assistance to address the financial squeeze some providers are enduring.

Change Healthcare breach forces providers to find workarounds

Change Healthcare breach forces providers to find workarounds

February 26, 2024 

LAUREN BERRYMAN   

Pharmacies and providers still struggling with disarray six days after UnitedHealth Group division Change Healthcare suffered a cyberattack.

The incident, which the company blames on an unnamed foreign government, continues to disrupt operations for Change Healthcare customers and will persist until at least Tuesday, Change Healthcare disclosed Monday. Clients have faced significant obstacles completing basic tasks such as handling prescriptions and claims. 

Docs see smaller checks as Congress weighs options on Medicare cut

Docs see smaller checks as Congress weighs options on Medicare cut

January 30, 2024

MICHAEL MCAULIFF   

If anyone were to ask members of Congress if doctors should be contending with Medicare pay cuts after a pandemic and a period of extraordinary inflation, and amid a chronic physician shortage, nearly all would say no.

Yet, that is what happened on Jan. 1, and even powerful lawmakers who would like to ease or reverse that cut can’t promise it will happen, even after recent actions to forestall hospital cuts and to extend expiring healthcare programs such as federally qualified health centers.

Physicians hit with Medicare pay cut under final rule

Physicians hit with Medicare pay cut under final rule

November 02, 2023

ALISON BENNETT  

Physicians will be hit with a 1. 25% reduction in Medicare reimbursements next year under a final rule the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued Thursday.

The American Medical Association and other doctor groups sharply criticized the proposed rule CMS published in July, which contained the same pay cut, and have taken their case to Congress that Medicare fees for physicians should not be reduced.

CMS unveils integrated mental health pilot program

CMS unveils integrated mental health pilot program

January 18, 2024

ALISON BENNETT  

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is testing a new community-based behavioral health services model that aims to improve access and quality, the Health and Human Services Department announced Thursday.

Under the Innovation in Behavioral Health Model, physical and mental healthcare providers will form interprofessional care teams with community organizations, which will coordinate care for Medicare and Medicaid enrollees with mental illnesses and substance-use disorders.

How private equity could be affecting patient safety in hospitals

How private equity could be affecting patient safety in hospitals

January 04, 2024

MARI DEVEREAUX   

Hospitals purchased by private equity firms have higher rates of adverse patient safety events than other facilities, according to a recent study, and its authors said the findings could be indicative of how the acquisitions affect hospital operations.

The study published in JAMA found hospital-acquired conditions like surgical infections and pressure ulcers increased by 25% among Medicare patients at private equity-owned facilities compared with a control group of hospitals.

Physicians leaving private practice hurt patient care: survey

Physicians leaving private practice hurt patient care: survey Doctor and Patient

December 05, 2023

MARI DEVEREAUX   

Physicians leaving private practice for employment has hurt patient care quality, according to a recent survey of doctors commissioned by the Physicians Advocacy Institute. 

The survey polled 1,000 physicians employed by insurers, health systems, staffing agencies and private equity firms on how corporate ownership affects their workplace experience and ability to meet patients’ needs. The research was conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago.

Fewer physicians are owning practices. Here’s why.

Fewer physicians are owning practices. Here’s why.

July 13, 2023

CAROLINE HUDSON   

Medical practices are getting larger, and physicians are less likely to own them, according to a report from the American Medical Association.

Carol Kane, AMA’s director of economic and health policy research, compiled the report released Wednesday by analyzing data from the association’s biennial Physician Practice Benchmark Surveys from 2012 to 2022. The most recent survey was conducted in late 2022 and included data from 3,500 post-residency physicians.