SSM Health, Paladina Health form primary-care joint venture

Employers will pay a flat fee for each employee's primary-care services, which will provide 24/7 access to a personal physician without co-pays and other out-of-pocket costs.  »

Surprise medical bills becoming more frequent and costly

Surprise out-of-network billing and related patient costs are increasing among inpatient admissions and emergency department visits to in-network hospitals, according to a study.

Major hospital groups recommend changes to HCAHPS survey

The AHA, the Federation of American Hospitals and three other major hospital groups outlined major changes they would like to see to the patient survey mandated by the CMS.

WakeMed Health & Hospitals prepares patients before heart surgery to improve outcomes

In early 2017, WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh, N.C., pioneered the use of enhanced recovery tactics for heart surgery and has reported impressive outcomes.

Federal effort to align quality measures won't be easy

The Trump administration is calling on federal agencies to come up with a strategy that will align quality measures across programs. Providers and analysts say it's going to be tough.

Report: Patients' out-of-pocket costs increased up to 14% in 2018

Patients' out-of-pocket costs for inpatient care grew by 14% on average between 2017 and 2018, according to TransUnion Project Japan. That's across self-pay, commercially insured and Medicare patients.

'You have to fundamentally change how you view things' in healthcare

Jefferson Health CEO Dr. Steven Klasko argued that healthcare is migrating to a B-to-C business model, during a session with analyst Paul Keckley at Project Japan’s Transformation Summit.

ONC: Patient access, online data use stagnated in 2018

The latest data come after the Trump administration proposed major rules to make it easier for patients to access electronic information.

Colo. Governor commends county's plan to address suicides

Eagle County leaders are collaborating to improve behavioral health services in the area, including a $60 million commitment over 10 years from Vail Health.

Bathing patients with an antiseptic reduces bloodstream infections

Nashville-based hospital chain HCA found that using the antiseptic soap chlorhexidine on patients with central lines and lumbar drains greatly reduced the risk for infection.