Researchers incensed over CMS data access change [Scroll down about a quarter down the page] CMS is starting to charge hefty amounts for access to CMS data. This move can have a profound chilling effect on research initiatives.
About Covid-19
CDC plans to drop five-day covid isolation guidelines “The CDC plans to recommend that people who test positive for the coronavirus use clinical symptoms to determine when to end isolation. Under the new approach, people would no longer need to stay home if they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of medication and their symptoms are mild and improving, according to three agency officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share internal discussions.”
About health insurance/insurers
FTC wins $195M judgment against Simple Health over its 'sham' insurance “The health plans did not actually give customers the coverage or benefits they were promised, the FTC said in an announcement, and ‘effectively left consumers uninsured.’ This left them on the hook for medical expenses, the agency said.
The FTC initially filed a complaint against Simple Health in 2018, charging that the insurer was misleading potential enrollees with its marketing, which promoted comprehensive health coverage including prescriptions, primary care, specialty care, inpatient services, emergency care, surgery, lab testing and treatment for preexisting conditions.
Members instead enrolled in "what was actually a medical discount program or extremely limited benefit program," the FTC said, paying as much as $500 per month for insurance that left them with thousands of dollars worth of medical bills or that made it impossible to secure needed care.”
About hospitals and healthcare systems
HCA profits dip 7%, Tenet's up 30% FYI
About pharma
Federal Judge Tosses PhRMA’s Suit on Medicare Drug Price Plan “The Biden administration secured a major win Monday in its fight to uphold Medicare’s drug price negotiation program by persuading a federal judge to toss a lawsuit from the top group representing the brand-name prescription drug industry.
The US District Court for the Western District of Texas ruled it lacks jurisdiction over the National Infusion Center Association’s legal challenge to the negotiation program.
Given that the association was the only party residing in the district, the rest of the lawsuit—which includes the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and the National Infusion Center Association and Global Colon Cancer Association—was likewise dismissed, Judge David Alan Ezra wrote in his ruling.”
About the public’s health
Atrocious Air “The results show that there are approximately 14.3 million properties (~10% of all properties) in the US that are estimated to have a week or more (7+ days) of unhealthy air quality days solely from PM2.5 in the current climate conditions. Of those, almost 5.7 million properties (~4%) may experience two or more weeks (14+ days) annually of smoke driven unhealthy air quality days. Some of the most at risk areas include large population centers such as Seattle, San Francisco, and Sacramento. It is important to understand the nature of this hazard, its link to climate, and the growing impact it will have on areas across the US into the future, including the growing negative effects on human health, labor force productivity, and even migration patterns.”
About healthcare IT
CMS clarifies rules for HIPAA compliance when texting patient data “Texting of patient orders among members by healthcare teams is now permissible at hospitals and critical access hospitals when done through a HIPAA-compliant secure platform in compliance with CMS Conditions of Participation rules, the agency says.”
'Best in KLAS' software and services vendors for healthcare FYI
Note: No single company dominates each category or all categories.
About healthcare personnel
Medical Specialties Losing the Most Providers Primary care specialties top the list of physicians.
About healthcare finance
Fewer private equity dollars flowing to Medicare Advantage “Facing rising interest rates and regulatory scrutiny, private equity investments in the Medicare Advantage space are slowing down, according to the Private Equity Stakeholder Project.
The watchdog group published a report Feb. 13 breaking down private equity investments in Medicare Advantage companies. Investments in the space reached a peak in 2021 before slowing down in 2022 and 2023, according to the report. The increase was possibly spurred by ‘industry-friendly’ rollbacks on marketing regulations.”