Tammy Worth
Insurance industry margins are only about 5 to 6 percent and it is a notoriously difficult business to run. Still, providers are increasingly moving into the insurance industry, and for some, it has been a good addition to their business model.
In its June report to Congress, MedPAC made recommendations that would change the way post-acute care providers are reimbursed. Reviews from providers are mixed.
Over the last decade, labor unions have had many successes gaining ground within the healthcare industry. In the coming years, the industry will see more of the same.
In its June report to Congress, MedPAC made recommendations that would change the way post-acute care providers are reimbursed. Reviews from providers are mixed.
The drought in California has everyone concerned that food prices will skyrocket, but so far, the impact of the severe weather has been low for most hospitals, and where felt, strategies have been implemented to minimize the damage.
An agreement reached this past spring between the California Hospital Association and the SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West has been deemed a "breakthrough" in labor relations. The contract, however, has also stirred up controversy between labor and hospitals.
For those who haven't heard yet of Theranos, take note because it may be a business disrupter of huge proportions.
Craig Johnson has worked in the senior living industry for the past 20 years. What he has seen is a movement to put them in the "back 40" -- because they are considered elderly and sick and should be placed out of sight.
Historically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hasn't put a lot of emphasis on tracking costs in the hospice industry.
Only about 44 percent of Medicare patients take advantage of their hospice benefit and, for those that do, the average length of stay in hospice is about 67 days; one-third of patients either die or are discharged within one week of admission, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.