MedCity News

CMS changes to Stark Law appear largely positive, experts say

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:19:29 GMT

CMS has finalized changes to the Physician Self-Referral Law, also known as Stark Law. Healthcare law experts say that these changes will generally make it easier for hospitals and physicians to remain in compliance with the statute.

Digital health deals expected to drop from last quarter’s record heights

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 14:00:40 GMT

Investments are expected to decline at the end of 2020 after digital health saw record highs last quarter, according to early data from CBInsights.

WithMe raises $20M to help patients navigate their prescriptions

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 23:56:51 GMT

WithMe Health, a startup trying to build a new approach to pharmacy benefits, spun off a medication guidance service that can be layer on top of existing PBMs. It also raised $20 million in funding, led by OMERS Ventures.

Phox Health aims to bring an ‘on-demand’ mindset to the pharmacy business

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 23:11:52 GMT

The startup provides pharmacy delivery apps and services for health systems and telehealth companies, enabling prescriptions to be delivered to patients in two hours or less.

New study ties pharma payments to prescription practices

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:30:33 GMT

Recent efforts to improve transparency haven’t made much of a difference, one author noted. But earlier reforms made a dent the “most egregious” practices.

Opioid overdoses are spiking amid the pandemic – PBMs can help combat opioid abuse and misuse

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:25:29 GMT

Opioid overutilization is a public health crisis, and PBMs with programs aimed at curbing abuse and educating providers can have a positive and substantial impact on clients and their members.

WELL Health raises $45M, taps former Haven exec as new senior VP

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:21:21 GMT

The company, a facilitator of patient-clinician communication, plans to use the funds to bring new features and capabilities to market, as well as build strategic partnerships. It has also added Dr. Dana Gelb Safran as senior vice president of value-based care and population health.

Covid’s mental health crisis curve

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 15:36:57 GMT

The Covid mental health crisis curve stands to cataclysmically increase the number of deaths associated with the pandemic.

Mental health benefits startup Spring Health raises $76 million

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 15:00:37 GMT

Spring Health, a startup that offers mental health services as an employee benefit, raised $75 million in funding. The New York-based startup matches employees with therapy and other mental health services.

Mark your calendars for our virtual INVEST Precision Medicine conference, December 9-11

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 12:49:09 GMT

Here’s a preview of some of the panel discussions at INVEST Precision Medicine, including diagnostics, investment trends, and building a bioinnovation hub.

$200M investment to advance clinical programs for Ambrx

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 23:10:52 GMT

The San Diego-based biopharma firm has several oncology therapies in development and has partnered in the past with the likes of Astellas, BeiGene and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

AstraZeneca, Oxford are latest to unveil Covid-10 vaccine results

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 23:04:27 GMT

The partners pooled results from two trials and two different dosing regimens, one appearing to be more effective than the other. They hope to produce 3 billion doses in 2021 with an emphasis on serving poorer countries.

How to improve revenue cycle management: 5 tips

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 22:56:11 GMT

Especially in a tough economic climate, healthcare facilities need more efficient ways to improve cash flow and remain stable by ensuring claims are accurately processed and quickly paid.

Phishing attacks most common cybersecurity incident at US healthcare organizations

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 22:28:04 GMT

A survey of healthcare cybersecurity professionals by HIMSS details the most common types of cyber attacks, it’s impact on patient care as well as solutions hospitals and health systems have implemented to prevent falling prey to this type of criminal activity.

In the uncompensated care pandemic, AI is a potent antidote

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 20:19:54 GMT

By helping patients find affordable healthcare, AI will promote stronger financial health for providers and patients alike, and improve the quality of care as patients gain the financial support to engage in more preventative healthcare.

AdventHealth, BERG join forces to enhance Covid-19 care

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 13:30:40 GMT

The health system and biotech company are collaborating to create a Covid-19 patient registry biobank, which will combine de-identified patient data and AI technology to identify characteristics and trends that have an impact on disease outcomes.

Why we need a wholistic approach to behavioral health

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 05:18:57 GMT

I’m not proud to say that in the past, I’ve played a role in cutting behavioral health programs in an effort to navigate budget constraints and mitigate financial losses. But my perspective as a finance executive is not what it used to be.

Take it from an expert: Fauci’s hierarchy of safety during Covid

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 04:20:26 GMT

A health journalist, a physician and a former foreign correspondent sits down with Dr. Anthony Fauci for a lengthy Q&A about safety during Covid times.

States’ face-covering mandates leave gaps in protection

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 03:58:23 GMT

Bandannas, like plastic face shields, allow the virus to escape out the bottom in aerosolized particles that can hang in the air for hours. And gaiters are often made of such thin material that they don’t trap as much virus as cloth masks.

Rescuing cancer care from the "Black Hole” of Covid-19

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 15:48:12 GMT

With RWE helping to inform, guide, and refine ongoing protocols and pathways, we can battle Covid-19 and cancer together and be far better prepared in our response to the next pandemic.