Plus, Kaiser Permanente in the black for Q1

This Week

May 13, 2023

Envision Healthcare likely to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy: WSJ


Digital health companies making a long-term play to tackle metabolic health amid hype over $100B weight loss drug market


Kaiser Permanente bounces back with $1.2B gain, 0.9% operating margin in Q1 2023


OIG flags $580M in improper Medicare payments for psychotherapy, with the bulk billed for telehealth services


UnitedHealth extends its hot streak as the most profitable payer in Q1 - Paige Minemyer

 

Featured

Envision Healthcare likely to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy: WSJ

Physician staffing firm Envision Healthcare is planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
 

Top Stories

Digital health companies making a long-term play to tackle metabolic health amid hype over $100B weight loss drug market

In the past year, many telehealth platforms have popped up to cash in on the multibillion-dollar weight loss drug market. But doctors caution that meds aren't a magic wand. Some digital health companies see opportunities to tackle metabolic health by offering holistic, longitudinal care. Could chronic conditions be the next chapter for digital health?

Kaiser Permanente bounces back with $1.2B gain, 0.9% operating margin in Q1 2023

The large, integrated nonprofit system notched a stronger start to 2023 amid higher volumes, membership growth and "favorable financial market conditions."

OIG flags $580M in improper Medicare payments for psychotherapy, with the bulk billed for telehealth services

A federal watchdog estimates that half a billion dollars in Medicare payments for psychotherapy services during COVID were "improper" and not compliant with Medicare requirements. The audit uncovered $348 million in improper payments for telehealth services and $232 million for non-telehealth services.

UnitedHealth extends its hot streak as the most profitable payer in Q1

UnitedHealth Group extended its streak as the most profitable company among major national insurers in the first quarter of 2023, reporting $5.6 billion in earnings.

Ochsner Health cutting 770 jobs to reverse 2022's 9-figures losses

The 48-hospital system's CEO announced the layoffs Thursday and told local press that the decision is expected to save between $125 million and $150 million annually.

UPDATED: DEA extends telehealth prescribing flexibilities for 6 months

The DEA is looking to buy some time to consider whether it should require patients to see doctors face-to-face to get prescriptions for controlled drugs or continue to allow telehealth prescriptions. The agency received a record 38,000 public comments on its proposed rule.

CEO Mark Bertolini: Oscar Health to exit California's ACA exchange in 2024

Oscar Health lost $39.7 million in the first quarter this year, but that represents an improvement over the $75.1 million the insurtech lost in Q1 2022.

Verizon will supply VA with mobile devices, emergency tech in $448M deal

The Department of Veterans Affairs expanded its existing partnership with Verizon in a $448.3 million, nine-year extension to supply VA medical centers and healthcare facilities with mobile devices including communications during VA’s disaster recovery missions and other emergencies.

PBMs, pharma play blame game over drug pricing at hearing

As a key Senate panel weighs several bills targeting drug prices, the finger-pointing between pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers over who is to blame for these costs continues.
 
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'Podnosis': The rise of digital therapeutics, and ways to fix the PBM industry

This week on "Podnosis," we discuss the rise of digital therapeutics and remaining barriers to implementation. We also talk about what it takes to fix the PBM industry.
 

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