Susan Morse

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Friday released proposed changes for the Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug programs for 2017, including an increase in the net payment rate for Medicare Advantage of 1.35 percent, CMS said.

Kindred Healthcare and Select Medical Holdings are swapping hospitals in a transaction that also includes an $800,000 payment by Kindred to Select, Kindred announced on Feb. 18.

On Friday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is expected to release its preliminary payment plan for Medicare Advantage in policies that will address growth rates, risk adjustment and the star ratings system.

Florida insurance regulators have approved Aetna's acquisition of Humana's affiliates there, but with conditions, according to a consent order issued last week.

Community Health Systems net operating revenue for 2015 jumped by more than 4 percent to $19.4 billion, an $800,000 million increase over the same period in 2014 when that year's net operating revenue totaled $18.6 billion, according to CHS's financial statement released on Feb. 15.

For the first time, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and America's Health Insurance Plans have announced standard quality measures among payers, a move designed to reduce confusion and complexity for reporting providers.

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries reported a $1.2 billion decrease in profit year over year, according to their 2015 annual and fourth quarter financial results.

Health insurers who sold plans through the marketplaces in 2015, and who covered high cost individuals can expect to get $7.7 billion this year through the federal reinsurance program established under the Affordable Care Act, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Feb. 12.

In a recent study, Truven Health Analytics found more than a $10,000 price variation in bundled spending for knee and hip replacement, depending on geography.

Physicians need to have and share analytical information to deliver quality care that drives down costs. But too often valuable findings aren't making it to the right people, according to Deloitte's Dorrie Guest.