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.

Investor-bought PCPs carry on like nothing much has changed—with caveats
Private-equity acquisitions of primary-care provider practices neither alter hospitalization rates nor affect acute-care outcomes, according to new research out of Brown University.
12 of the top technology vendors serving children’s hospitals
Epic makes the list with its enterprise inpatient EHR and related platforms. So does PCC, aka Physician’s Computer Company, which supplies pediatric-specific ambulatory EHR and practice-management products and services.
Weight loss drugs are hiking employer healthcare prices, with 87% saying they expect costs to only go up
In a survey, employers told the Business Group on Health that they aren’t yet seeing evidence of long-term health benefits from taking GLP-1s for weight loss, leaving them unsure how to manage costs while continuing to cover them.
Former healthcare CEO sentenced to 5 years in prison for role in $212M fraud conspiracy
Parmjit “Paul” Parmar, 55, from New Jersey has also been ordered to pay $125 million in restitution. The scheme to defraud investors was uncovered in 2017.
Analysis: The public may not be wrong to think of the ED as the ‘front door’ of the hospital
The perception is probably more pronounced in community hospital EDs than their academic counterparts.

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.

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, 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.

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.

DaVita kidney care clinics hit by ransomware attack

The company said part of its network has been encrypted. However, it told the Securities and Exchange Commission it is still able to deliver dialysis care to patients.

healthcare surprise billing statement payment

UnitedHealth garnishing claims to recoup ‘loans’ from Change Healthcare hack

UnitedHealth Group said it is seeking repayment of “interest-free” advances distributed to providers struggling during the shutdown of claims processing caused by the ransomware attack on Change Healthcare.

Business Intelligence

Investor-bought PCPs carry on like nothing much has changed—with caveats

12 of the top technology vendors serving children’s hospitals

Weight loss drugs are hiking employer healthcare prices, with 87% saying they expect costs to only go up

Former healthcare CEO sentenced to 5 years in prison for role in $212M fraud conspiracy

Analysis: The public may not be wrong to think of the ED as the ‘front door’ of the hospital