SPOTLIGHT -
Half of Americans struggled to pay medical bills or delayed treatment
Many Americans have postponed or gone without some medical services in the past year, a KFF poll found. Members of minority groups and those with lower incomes are more likely to have trouble with medical bills.
Most consumers don’t trust hospitals with their data: Survey
Two out of three consumers said they didn’t think large hospitals were as careful as they should be with their personal and payment information.
Patients value telemedicine, but satisfaction dipped in 2021
Telehealth use surged due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many patients welcomed the option. But a new survey shows some patients prefer in-person visits for some of their needs.
Remote patient monitoring market expected to hit $117B
The surging market reached $23 billion in 2020. It’s expected to grow five times larger by 2025.
Health groups lobby Congress on telehealth access
More than a dozen organizations are urging lawmakers to permanently protect access to telehealth services. The government has eased restrictions but the waivers are only in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Preventing surprise medical bills is the goal. These four obstacles make it harder.
Financial leaders of healthcare systems outlined some of the challenges in reducing unexpected bills in a new survey.
AMA, AHA sue federal government over No Surprises Act
The groups say they support the law and key patient protections. But they argue a provision in the law must be fixed or it could hurt patient access to care and providers could lose out financially.
City of Hope acquires Cancer Treatment Centers of America
The $390 million deal is expected to close in early 2022. Cancer Treatment Centers will be converted to a non-profit organization.
How Essen Health Care uses remote patient management to aid vulnerable communities
Essen teamed up with Verustat to monitor patients in their homes. Essen’s founder calls the partnership a “game changer.”
Seniors are getting more help at home after hospitalization, but what are the costs?
As more payers shift seniors from in-patient facilities and back toward their homes, more patients need assistance, a new study shows. The burden on patients and families isn’t fully understood.
Massachusetts hospitals ordered to reduce elective surgeries, procedures
The state's hospitals are dealing with serious capacity issues and a shortage of healthcare workers.
It could be time to rethink the ‘Two-Midnight’ rule, study suggests
The federal policy led to more outpatient stays initially, but the rate of change has flattened. The rule carries substantial costs for hospitals.
Home Hospital Programs Are Rapidly Expanding, And The Surge Will Continue in 2022
More hospitals are now offering acute care at home. It’s another indication of how the COVID-19 pandemic is driving changes in hospitals and healthcare.
When Labor and Delivery Units Close, Women Face Much Longer Drives to Hospital, Study Finds
In New Hampshire, where several rural delivery units have closed in recent years, the driving time more than doubled.
More Than 200 Hospitals Take Part In Nationwide Project To Reduce Maternal Mortality
The hospitals are participating in a federal effort to collect and study the health data of women and babies. The hope is to reduce disparities in outcomes among racial and ethnic groups.
Hospitals Begin Giving COVID-19 Vaccines to Younger Kids, but the Effort Has its Challenges
Hospital systems play a vital role in vaccinating children ages 5-11. But, they are setting up clinics amidst a staffing crunch, even while facilities are packed with patients.
Some COVID-19 Patient Revisits to Hospitals Could Have Been Prevented, Study Finds
The study concluded that some return visits within 30 days could have been avoided with better communication about medications and post-discharge plans.
Building a Health System With a Connected Patient
Panelists during a session at the Galien Week of Innovation discussed their technological innovations that allow for a health system with a more connected patient.
Give American Seniors the Option to Choose Home After a Hospital Discharge
Healthcare needs to adapt so Medicare beneficiaries can select the care setting that’s most appropriate for their health, safety and quality of life when they require care after a hospitalization.
Patients Expect Providers to Offer Convenient Communication, User-Friendly Technologies
Patients expect more convenient communication options and user-friendly technology from healthcare providers now.
Patients With Cancer Prefer Telemedicine to In-Person Visits; Satisfaction Is the Same
Patients receiving care at Memorial Sloan Kettering preferred telemedicine visits over in-office visits with similar satisfaction scores.
Addressing Operational Challenges With a Hospitalist Staffing Partner
Solving operational challenges starts by looking at operating models and staffing from a new perspective.
Hospitals Are Ill-Equipped to Handle an Increase in Patients With Addiction in EDs
The number of patients presenting in the emergency department (ED) with alcohol and substance use disorders is on the rise, but hospitals are not equipped to treat addiction.
Hospitalizations for Unvaccinated Patients With COVID-19 Cost Billions
An increase in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations among unvaccinated individuals cost nearly $3.7 billion August, according to report from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.
Making the Case for Automated Patient Engagement
Automated patient engagement technology can streamline communications without excessive costs, implementation challenges or healthcare providers losing the "human touch."
Acknowledging Economic Stability as a Primary Social Determinant of Health
Economic stability, and its contributing factors, are a fundamental determinant currently impacting the health and well-being of many individuals.
Severe Flu Season Predicted With Higher Hospitalizations
Scientists warn against a severe upcoming flu season and a continued possibility of a twindemic, in which COVID-19 and flu epidemics overwhelm hospitals.
Mergers Associated With Improved Quality, Lower Mortality for Rural Hospitals
Rural hospitals that merged reported reduced mortality and improved quality of care for six conditions.
Better Insight Into Revenue Cycle Tasks Can Transform These Roles and Patient Experiences
Most healthcare revenue cycle teams use productivity standards or quotas to meet goals, which requires insight into how long these tasks can take.
Are Hospital-Led Interventions Reducing LOS for High-Risk Populations?
Interventions aimed at reducing hospital length of stay (LOS) among at-risk patients lack consistent efficacy, according to a systematic review.