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.

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.
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.

M&A mergers and acquisitions business deal

Molina Healthcare to buy Connecticut insurer for $350M

The cost represents “25% of expected 2024 premium revenue of $1.4 billion,” with Molina adding 140,000 members through plans in the state.

Industry Watcher’s Digest

Physicians shouldn’t think of AI as a tool to wield and sharpen. They should think of it as a medical student to mold and mentor.

AI represents the single biggest opportunity to fundamentally transform healthcare since antibiotics.

Brainstorm, collaborate to save healthcare AI from a ‘failure of imagination’

The suggestion comes from a strategic communications professional who specializes in thinking creatively about how to unlock opportunities—including those that are, at present, hard to see.

House lawmakers want to relax ban on physician-owned hospitals

The bipartisan Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act would amend the Social Security Act to allow physicians to open new hospitals in hard-to-reach communities.

Medicare Money dollar payment reimbursement

Humana buys stake in Healthpilot to expand Medicare Advantage portfolio

Healthpilot will remain an independent, payer-agnostic company despite Humana’s minority stake.

Nationwide IT outage leaves hospitals without EHRs

Many hospitals that use Epic were unable to access services, forcing them to operate on pen-and-paper and cancel non-emergency care delivery. The disruption was caused by an error with security vendor CrowdStrike.

Industry Watcher’s Digest

Buzzworthy developments of the past few days: Mayo Clinic leads the league in AI readiness

healthcare money economics dollar stethoscope acquire merger

Private equity firms back less than 4% of healthcare providers, report finds

According to an analysis from PitchBook, providers backed by private equity make up only 3.3% of the total market by revenue.

Business Intelligence

Abbott acquires cancer diagnostic company Exact Sciences for $21B

Trump’s former FDA commissioner joins board of UnitedHealth

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

Former COO of UnitedHealthcare subsidiary Optum Health promoted to CEO

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