Jeff Lagasse
The move, the health system says, is intended to control costs without compromising access to care.
Lobbies for doctors and dentists in California say insurers should foot the bill for pandemic expenses.
The rehabilitation unit will help adults who have experienced a loss of function due to stroke, brain injury or other conditions.
Between 2015 and 2019, spending increased by 21.8%, or $1,074 per person, with prices rising and utilization declining.
Clinical labor costs are up by an average of 8% per patient day, translating to $17 million in additional annual labor expenses.
UHC, Humana and Kaiser Permanente all ranked highly as the number with 5 stars plans tripled this year compared to 2020.
The move is a response to the limited health plan options among Medicare-eligible patients in North Carolina's rural communities, the insurer says.
The settlement stems from an accusation that the hospital failed to provide timely auxiliary aids and services for a deaf patient.
The group contended that any concerns with antitrust enforcement should be addressed by providing additional resources to enforcement agencies.
The findings are being used to underscore the importance of vaccines in fighting against the ongoing pandemic.