News

We hear a great deal about healthcare consolidation today. The truth is, it has been happening in earnest for two to three years already, and it isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

With an eye towards more integrated care delivery and a new business line, two of Atlanta's largest health systems are forming an insurance company.

As hospitals face penalties for readmissions, they are implementing programs to enhance care coordination to keep patients from returning to the hospital.

When Steve Woods' wife was pregnant, he put on what he calls "sympathy weight." That was a dozen years ago. "She went back to her svelte, in-shape figure and I've maintained the sympathy weight," he said.

Now that the Affordable Care Act has survived the Supreme Court ruling and the presidential election, one of last year's other big issues is moving to the forefront for 2013: reimbursements.

Despite the fact that most discussions about health information exchanges focus on technology, the real force that will drive them forward is a solid return on investment for healthcare providers, said a group of experts at a joint hearing of the federal advisory Health IT Policy and Standards committees on Jan. 29.

Health insurance company mergers and acquisitions don't always provide incremental value according to a new report from industry consulting company Deloitte.

Aetna reported fourth quarter 2012 earnings today that were 49 percent lower than 2011, as the nation's third largest insurer took one-time charges related to the settlement of a $120 million reimbursement lawsuit announced last month.

Managed care insurer Health Net reported 2012 fourth quarter earnings down 91 percent from the previous year, after litigation, severance costs and declines in commercial enrollment.

Health IT venture capital funding approached $1.2 billion, disbursed across more than 160 deals, in 2012, said a recent report from Mercom Capital Group.