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.

UnitedHealthcare launches rural Medicare Advantage pilot to cut reimbursement delays 50%
The insurer is planning to reduce reimbursement timelines for hospitals in Oklahoma, Idaho, Minnesota and Missouri from 30 days to 15. The details are unclear, but the company said the framework could extend nationwide.
AI roundup: Of workslop and rework | Patent that tech, industry player | Artificial Intellectualism, anyone?
Across industries, more than a third of the time saved by AI gets eaten by overstretched humans who have to clean up the technology’s sloppy work.
Epic, provider groups sue companies over alleged scheme to sell patient data
In a lawsuit, the EHR giant accuses Health Gorilla, et al., of posing as patient care entities to gain access to nearly 300,000 medical records, in violation of HIPAA. Health Gorilla vehemently denies the allegations.
Senate Report: UnitedHealth was aggressive in seeking higher Medicare Advantage payments
The Wall Street Journal obtained a copy of a report from the Senate Judiciary Committee, which reviewed more than 50,000 documents sent by UnitedHealth related to its Medicare Advantage patients. The outlet published the findings of the inquiry.
Walmart dips its toe back into healthcare with new digital platform
Less than two years after closing its patient care clinics and selling its telehealth services, Walmart is re-entering healthcare with a new platform to match patients with virtual providers.

Tariffs not enough to make Siemens Healthineers move production or raise prices—yet

The imaging manufacturer expects to spend between $227 million and $340 million on tariff mitigation efforts, leaders said Wednesday.

Rite Aid seeking buyout as it files for bankruptcy—again

For the second time in less than two years, the struggling retail pharmacy chain has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, seeking buyers as it prepares for store closures.

artificial intelligence AI in healthcare

Healthcare AI newswatch: UnitedHealth hearts AI, agentic AI again, healthcare AI dependency, more

Give healthcare workers AI to do their jobs and you might make them AI-dependent. Give them AI anyway?

DOJ sues Aetna, Humana and Elevance for allegedly paying illegal kickbacks

The three insurance giants are accused of conspiring with brokers to enroll profitable patients in Medicare Advantage plans, in exchange for "hundreds of millions" in kickbacks.

overpromising AI artificial intelligence capabilities

Healthcare AI newswatch: Devices of unknown generalizability, promises of uncertain keepability, more

Overpromising AI capabilities to hospital stakeholders—now there’s a mistake healthcare AI enthusiasts have been known to make.

AHA warns ‘perfect storm’ threatens hospitals with rising costs, reimbursement cuts

In a new report, the AHA said strains from President Trump’s tariffs and struggles with Medicare Advantage plans are creating “financial headwinds” that could shake the economic stability of hospitals nationwide.

CVS Health’s Aetna to withdraw from ACA insurance marketplaces next year

The company cited declining enrollment as the reason for exiting the exchanges, including from patients seeking Medicare options.

Optum UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealth Group HQ

Optum names pediatrician and healthcare policy veteran as new CEO

Patrick Conway, MD, has been with Optum since 2020, previously serving in federal healthcare agencies under George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He takes over as the company’s new CEO, effective May 6.

Business Intelligence

UnitedHealthcare launches rural Medicare Advantage pilot to cut reimbursement delays 50%

AI roundup: Of workslop and rework | Patent that tech, industry player | Artificial Intellectualism, anyone?

Epic, provider groups sue companies over alleged scheme to sell patient data

Senate Report: UnitedHealth was aggressive in seeking higher Medicare Advantage payments

Walmart dips its toe back into healthcare with new digital platform