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.

Elizabeth Warren

Sen. Warren fears $10B private equity buyout of Walgreens will create ‘pharmacy deserts’

The Massachusetts senator is asking buyer Sycamore Partners for certain assurances, including that it won’t saddle the struggling pharmacy chain with even more debt and indiscriminately close retail locations. 

UPS Healthcare

UPS Healthcare acquires Canadian supply chain company for $1.6B

Ontario-based Andlauer Healthcare Group ships sensitive temperature-controlled products necessary for healthcare manufacturing and research. It has agreed to be acquired by the world’s largest courier, with the all-cash deal expected to close later this year. 

healthcare AI financial advisor RCM

Newswatch: AI for Medicare folk, AI uncertainty at the FDA, generative ghosts, more

AI is making patient financial advisors of hospital administrators who used to work in revenue cycle management. 

AI physician leader

Newswatch: AI-eager doctors, AI-reticent buyers, AI cost worriers, more

In medicine’s next chapter, AI literacy will separate physician leaders from peer followers. 

Vintage neon drug sign at the Walgreens pharmacy on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans.

Walgreens settles DOJ opioid crisis case for $300M

The pharmacy chain was accused of filling “millions” of unlawful prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances. Despite agreeing to the payout, the company does not admit wrongdoing.

artificial intelligence AI in healthcare news

AI newswatch: Lifecyle AI oversight, data matters, AI vs. animals, more

AI may finally end the paper chase caused by prior authorization. Or it may worsen it. 

UnitedHealth Group - 2

UnitedHealth, Amedisys enter mediation with DOJ over block on $3.3B merger

The two companies have been unable to assuage antitrust concerns raised by the Department of Justice. A magistrate will attempt to hammer out acceptable terms for the home healthcare merger at a conference scheduled for August. 

doctor patient human touch

Newswatch: AI researchers weigh in, AI humanizes healthcare, ‘the worst AI will ever be,’ more

Contrary to popular misgivings, AI may be improving the human touch in healthcare.