Practice Management
ACA Marketplace health plan enrollment hit a record for the fourth year in a row, according to an analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation. This year, more than 24 million Americans signed up for plans in the marketplace—more than doubling the enrollment figure from just 5 years ago and triple that of the inaugural marketplace enrollment numbers in 2014. Regionally, enrollment has more than tripled since 2020 in Texas (growing 255%), Mississippi (242%), West Virginia …
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Emergency departments (EDs) will face increased sustainability risks in the near- and long-term future, according to a new report from nonprofit research firm RAND. As EDs struggle with financial prospects and meeting community demand, nearby urgent care operators might see increased volumes of higher-acuity patient visits. Among the leading issues are the fact that some of the necessary services provided in hospital EDs are not directly reimbursed by public or private payers, while at the …
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The demand for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications for weight loss has surged, in part because there is a large population of patients who could potentially benefit from them. Meanwhile, advocates are concerned about the recent widespread distribution of compounded versions of the drugs. Since compounded versions often expect patients to measure doses from vials and use syringes for delivery—instead of premeasured autoinjector pens—compounded options can lead to dosing errors. But the advantage of compounded GLP1s …
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In the latest iteration among floundering commercial retail spaces, landlords are courting healthcare tenants to fill empty storefronts that used to be occupied by department stores and boutiques. Most existing retail spaces have convenient neighborhood locations with enough local traffic to encourage a visit. According to a recent LA Times report, a network of dental offices in California has found early success with this emerging “med-tail” (medical retail) model, treating both scheduled and walk-in patients. …
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In the past few years, parents have been attracted to at-home devices to monitor their infant’s vital signs during sleep, which are meant to offer reassurance by providing parents with continuous real-time data. Infant devices might measure, for example, respiratory rate, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, and sleep quality. Beyond just crib cameras, some options include wearable socks, belts, and swaddles. There is virtually no guidance for providers on advising families about the devices or …
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After nearly 100 years as a publicly traded company, Walgreens is going private as part and parcel of a $10 billion buyout deal with private-equity firm Sycamore Partners. The company is on-task to sell Village Medical, Summit Health and CityMD clinic brands, all of which are operated under the VillageMD line of business. Many saw this massive leveraged buyout coming, although the on-again, off-again speculation hinted at prolonged negotiations. For the moment, there is no …
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Industry observers are closely watching for fresh fallout among telehealth providers. For one, the declared end of the semaglutide drug shortage—as per the Food and Drug Administration—sent the stock of Hims & Hers Health, Inc. sliding about 40% within just a few days as investors realized the profits coming from compounding semaglutide for the telehealth company’s patients will quickly dwindle as providers must shift back to the manufacturer’s original brand drug products for weight management …
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Emory Healthcare Network has partnered with MinuteClinic at its 35 locations in Georgia. While the partnership seems to be focused on in-network health benefit coverage for members of the clinically integrated network’s insurance plan, according to the press release, the clinical teams in the MinuteClinic centers will also have access to communication and consultation with Emory clinicians through electronic medical record platforms. Undoubtedly the payoff will be a steady referral stream for Emory. New signage …
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CareFirst Urgent Care has added 3 locations in Kentucky to its network through the acquisition of Rapid Relief Urgent Care. Updated signage, technology system transitions, and other improvements are planned, according to a company press release. Also with operations in Ohio and Nevada, CareFirst now expands its existing footprint to more than 40 locations. In Nevada, the company has a new center soon to open in the city of Henderson, but its largest market area …
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Longstanding financial and logistical challenges seem to be intensifying for rural-area providers, as evidenced by new data from consulting firm Chartis, which highlights that 46% of rural hospitals currently have negative operating margins and many of those are in danger of closing. In the past year, 18 rural hospitals closed or transitioned to provide only outpatient care. Of the 48 states that are home to rural hospitals, 38 have at least one hospital that is …
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