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This Week

Jun 3, 2023

Ascension down nearly $1.9B in 9 months after fiscal Q3's elevated costs, one-time impairment losses

Medicaid work requirements dropped in debt ceiling deal

Employers face soaring demand for obesity care benefits. Virtual care players are jumping in with a slew of offerings

CVS braces for $1B hit following Medicare Advantage star ratings drop

Missouri nonprofit health systems BJC HealthCare, Saint Luke's targeting $10B merger - Paige Minemyer

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Ascension down nearly $1.9B in 9 months after fiscal Q3's elevated costs, one-time impairment losses

By Dave Muoio

The Catholic giant's tough operating quarter was exacerbated on paper by $715 million it determined would not be recovered by certain long-lived assets.

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Medicaid work requirements dropped in debt ceiling deal

By Paige Minemyer

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have reached a deal to avoid breaching the federal debt ceiling, and the legislation eschews Medicaid work requirements.

Employers face soaring demand for obesity care benefits. Virtual care players are jumping in with a slew of offerings

By Heather Landi

Employers are seeing surging demand from their workers for benefits that cover obesity treatment, including pricey weight loss drugs. As employers grapple with how to contain costs, it's opening up considerable market opportunities for virtual care players.

CVS braces for $1B hit following Medicare Advantage star ratings drop

By Paige Minemyer

CVS Health is bracing for a hit of up to $1 billion dollars as its reports a huge decline in its Medicare Advantage star ratings.

Missouri nonprofit health systems BJC HealthCare, Saint Luke's targeting $10B merger

By Dave Muoio

The two organizations are hoping to close their cross-market deal by the end of the year, potentially creating a new 28-hospital, integrated, academic health system.

Medicare to broaden coverage of Alzheimer’s drugs after full FDA approval, but with some restrictions

By Heather Landi

CMS reiterated its plans Thursday to broadly cover a new class of Alzheimer’s drugs once the medications get full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Optum launching new programs that lean on independent pharmacies to close care gaps

By Paige Minemyer

Optum Rx is rolling out new programs aimed at supporting independent and rural pharmacies in closing care gaps beginning in June.

Strive Health clinches $166M from CVS Health Ventures and NEA to fuel growth

By Annie Burky

In the midst of a slowing venture capital market, Strive Health has scored a mega funding round of $166 million that it will use to continue its work combating chronic kidney disease.

Report: Retailers are vying for 'a piece of the medical pie.' How should traditional providers respond?

By Anastassia Gliadkovskaya

Retail clinics have seen a 200% increase in utilization over the past five years, higher than urgent care centers, primary care practices and ERs, according to a new report.

Advocate Health reports 0.1% operating margin, $579M net gain for its first post-merger quarter

By Dave Muoio

The 67-hospital entity tallied more than $7.54 billion in total revenue during the three months ended March 1 thanks to year-over-year increases across each of its major divisions.

Fierce podcasts

Don't miss an episode

'Podnosis': 'Game-changing' generative AI and gender-affirming healthcare

This week on "Podnosis," we discuss why generative AI can be "game-changing" in healthcare. We also take a second look at an episode on gender-affirming healthcare

'Podnosis': The food is medicine movement and the top-paid healthcare and payer execs

'Podnosis': How tech can help diagnose neurodevelopmental disabilities and how insurtechs can be profitable

Resources

Whitepaper

The State of Vision Health 2023

The Harris Poll recently conducted a survey to explore key experiences, challenges, and desires for vision care among U.S. adults. The survey revealed reasons why those that have benefits don’t always use them, pointing to the need for a better consumer experience with clearer information, more transparent cost structures, and broader access to coverage. Download more insights from The Harris Poll’s study here.