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.

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.
Physicians are quitting sooner, younger and for different priorities than in years past
Physicians who walk away from medicine before reaching their 25th year of practice tend to quit mainly due to the stress and hassles of the job.
UnitedHealthcare looks to reduce prior authorizations by 30% before end of 2026
The insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group said the shift is part of its ongoing effort to eliminate the barriers between care delivery and medical coverage. The full list of services exempt from prior authorizations includes diagnostic tests and many outpatient surgeries.

Telehealth diabetes management offering now part of Amazon marketplace

The integration was announced during the annual JP Morgan Health Care Conference in San Francisco. The program works through Amazon Benefits Manager to remotely help patients with weight and blood pressure management.

Sesame Street is coming to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

The partnership begins with a video series called “Ask a Doctor” featuring clinicians from the health system alongside Muppet characters.

Industry Watcher’s Digest

Having released the latest version of Llama in December, Meta is telling the world that open-source AI is the future of AI in healthcare.

Johnson & Johnson buys depression drug and its manufacturer for $15B

The drug Caplyta, owned by Intra-Cellular Therapies, is being used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In 2024, it brought in more than $481 million in sales.

Optum UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealth Group HQ

UnitedHealth, Amedisys ask federal judge to dismiss DOJ lawsuit blocking $3.3B merger

The companies argue that the U.S. Department of Justice has failed to adequately demonstrate how, and in which regions of the country, the merger would harm competition. They are asking a federal court to throw out the case.

UnitedHealth shareholders push company to report on impact of claims denials

The motion is being advanced by religious groups and hedge funds alike, with the decision to develop a report set to be voted on at the UnitedHealth Group 2025 annual meeting.

Healthcare private equity reporting act signed into law by Mass. governor

The new law will require private equity firms to make disclosures related to organizational structure and finances if they intend to operate a medical facility or provider organization in the state.

Industry Watcher’s Digest

Is AI adoption a marathon or a sprint?

Business Intelligence

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

Physicians are quitting sooner, younger and for different priorities than in years past

UnitedHealthcare looks to reduce prior authorizations by 30% before end of 2026