Business Intelligence

Providers utilize business intelligence to monitor referral patterns and collaborate with clinicians who order their services. Such analytics tools have also been deployed in the specialty to improve productivity, track patient satisfaction and bolster quality.

Express Scripts sues Tennessee over PBM law that would close specialty pharmacy
The company called the state’s regulation of pharmacy benefit managers “shortsighted,” as it would force the closure of Accredo, a specialty drug dispensary that supplies drugs it says aren’t available anywhere else in the state.
FTC settles lawsuit with Optum Rx, ending its campaign against the ‘big three’ PBMs
The agency had been suing the three largest pharmacy benefit managers over their alleged control of insulin prices. It reached agreements with CVS’ Caremark and Cigna’s Express Scripts earlier this year.
Nvidia partners with clinical note-taking company to improve suite of AI models
The collaboration between the chipmaker and Abridge, a developer of generative AI for healthcare, will involve data-sharing to improve Nvidia’s general-purpose models, which in turn will be used to make Abridge’s clinical offerings more efficient.
Humana exits $900M position in end-of-life provider Gentiva
The Kentucky-based insurance giant had owned a 40% stake in the hospice company, stemming from its 2021 acquisition of Kindred Healthcare. Humana said a “consortium of investors" is making the buy, but few details were revealed.
Longest-distance robotic cardiac telesurgery ever performed over 12,500 miles
A left internal mammary artery takedown robot-assisted heart procedure is the latest milestone for an Indian robotics company.

Patient communication AI company receives $65M in funding from private equity

Artera, a company that utilizes AI for patient communications, made the announcement while revealing it has achieved $100 million in annual revenue. Its products use AI for follow-ups after patient care, in addition to supporting clinical decisions.

CVS Health announces $10.6B acquisition of Oak Street Health

CVS agrees to pay $38M to resolve insulin over-distribution allegations, DOJ says

Authorities allege the pharmacy chain gave patients more insulin than prescribed and then billed Medicare and Medicaid for the full amounts. This allegedly occurred for more than a decade.

Semaglutide alters Alzheimer’s biomarkers but doesn’t slow the disease’s advance.

business partnership handshake merger acquisition M&A

Abbott acquires cancer diagnostic company Exact Sciences for $21B

The deal will not be finalized until approved by Exact Sciences’ shareholders. With it, Abbott gains control of new diagnostic tools, including a popular at-home test for colorectal cancer.

Trump’s former FDA commissioner joins board of UnitedHealth

Scott Gottlieb, MD, will take on the new position “effective immediately.” UnitedHealth Group did not say what, if any, steering committee the former FDA lead will sit on.

Cigna announces new copay-centric insurance model, backed by AI care coordination

Dubbed “Clearity,” the new health plans will have four tiers to choose from, allowing patients to select the provider and services that are right for them. The insurance is similar to a concierge care model, but backed by a potentially larger network.

Former COO of UnitedHealthcare subsidiary Optum Health promoted to CEO

Krista Nelson made the official announcement on LinkedIn. She replaces Patrick Conway, MD, CEO of the broader Optum, who had held dual roles. Nelson has been with UnitedHealthcare since 2017.

Apple has officially introduced the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which will provide notifications when it detects signs of chronic high blood pressure once the technology is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

U.S. International Federal Trade Commission reviews ban on new Apple Watch pulse oximeter

Masimo’s complaint over the new version of the Apple Watch could lead to an import ban if it is found that the technology infringes on its patents.

Business Intelligence

Express Scripts sues Tennessee over PBM law that would close specialty pharmacy

FTC settles lawsuit with Optum Rx, ending its campaign against the ‘big three’ PBMs

Nvidia partners with clinical note-taking company to improve suite of AI models

Humana exits $900M position in end-of-life provider Gentiva

Longest-distance robotic cardiac telesurgery ever performed over 12,500 miles