FierceHealthcare | Hospitals & Health Systems - Health

A playbook to boost medication adherence | Fierce Healthcare

Medication nonadherence is not new, but it remains a persistent, complex problem.

AHIP, major insurers commit to continued vaccine coverage

AHIP said its plans will cover all vaccines recommended by the ACIP as of Sept. 1, 2025, with no cost-sharing through the end of 2026.

Eleos Health extends AI documentation tool to group therapy

The vast majority of Eleos' clients use group therapy, and many have been requesting for its flagship AI product to extend to the setting.

RFK Jr. dictated vax policy without evidence, axed CDC head says

Susan Monarez, Ph.D., told senators the health secretary claimed there was "no science or evidence" supporting the current childhood vaccine schedule.

City-led climate actions can cut $70B in health costs and save lives

A global coalition of cities, healthcare companies and researchers released a report showing how local climate action can save 725,000 lives a year and cut healthcare costs by $70 billion.

Ardent Health taps Ambience for AI scribe, coding technology

Ambient AI platform Ambience continues to grow its reach with more health systems now signing on Ardent Health as its latest enterprise customer.

Optum Rx rolls out new brand drug pricing model for pharmacies

The initiative builds on the company's commitment earlier this year to modernize its pharmacy payment model.

How payers fared in NCQA's 2025 health plan ratings

Of the 11 plans to achieved a 5-star rating, eight were commercial plans and three were Medicare plans.

Innovaccer acquires digital specialty care platform Story Health

To drive nationwide scale, Innovaccer plans to add agentic AI capabilities to Story Health's model of live coaches and remote biometric monitoring.

Nonprofit hospitals' community benefits face lawmaker scrutiny

An oversight subcommittee hearing centered on tax-exempt hospitals' "mission creep" and calls for more stringent reporting of community spending.

Republicans' unveil 7-week funding stopgap—what's in, what isn't

Programs for safety-net hospitals and regulatory flexibilities around virtual care would continue, though ACA subsidies would remain unaddressed.

Virtual MOUD solutions can substitute for in-person care: PHTI

In a new report, the Peterson Health Technology Institute explores virtual solutions for treating opioid use disorder.

URAC starts AI accreditation for users and developers of AI

The accreditation body will vet the risk management and business practices of healthcare organizations using or developing AI.

Workers with mental health conditions face access barriers: EBRI

Employer-covered workers with a mental health condition twice as often reported difficulty receiving necessary care within the past half year.

AHA urges Aetna to rescind new inpatient payment policy

Aetna plans to implement a new Medicare Advantage inpatient payment policy that changes how urgent and emergent inpatient claims are paid.

Aegis Ventures' digital consortium grows to 14 health systems

Yale New Haven Health, Keck Medicine and Hartford HealthCare join Aegis Digital Consortium

Nonprofit hospitals tallied $149B community benefit in 2022: AHA

Tax-exempt hospitals' collective community benefits as reported to the IRS increased nearly 50% over the past five years, the AHA said.

HHS taps 5 new members for CDC vaccine panel

After HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. overhauled the CDC's vaccine advisory panel over the summer, he's adding to the group's lineup once again.

Assured picks up $6M for AI-native network management

Assured pocketed $6 million in seed funding to build out its AI capabilities, invest in R&D and expand its team.

'The Pitt' scores multiple Emmys as filming gets underway for season 2

The show won multiple Emmy Awards for drama, including for best series. Noah Wyle won for best actor while Katherine LaNasa won best supporting actress.

CMS opens state applications for $50B rural health fund

The five-year fund will prioritize investment proposals that bring lasting benefits and tackle "the root causes of rural healthcare failure."

Five ways to accelerate innovation without jeopardizing trust | Fierce Healthcare

Written by Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Mayo Clinic Laboratories

CTA releases predictive health AI standard for developers

The standard requires testing for accuracy and real-world validation of algorithms before they go to market.

The hidden research engine: How Mirth® Connect powers medical breakthroughs you never knew about | Fierce Healthcare

AI poised to slash healthcare costs through enhanced member engagement and social interventions | Fierce Healthcare

Docs say Medicare payment rates continue to pressure finances

Physicians are asking for greater certainty around Medicare reimbursement, arguing that compounding payment decreases are pressuring practices.

Major payers set to grow market share over next decade: report

A new analysis from Morningstar estimates that the major national firms will continue to grow their share of the market over the next decade.

What pharma and healthcare can learn from Doctor Mike

It's critical to have credible voices on social media to combat widespread misinformation as public trust in institutions declines, Doctor Mike said.

Op-ed: Prior authorization has created a perception problem

Prior authorization reform is an opportunity for healthcare to reemphasize the human element and compassion that have dissipated through bureaucracy.

Wyden asks FTC to probe Microsoft over Ascension cyberattack

The large nonprofit was brought down last year due to an exploit of outdated Microsoft encryption technology.

Women's health company Diana Health raises $55M to expand

Diana Health codesigns and operates women’s health programs with hospitals within labor and delivery units and outpatient clinics.

Census Bureau: 8% of Americans were uninsured in 2024

Eight percent of Americans were uninsured in 2024, on par with the rate found in 2023, according to new federal data.

Cedars-Sinai deploys Regard's AI diagnostic support

Cedars-Sinai invested in Regard last year during its series B. The health tech startup also participated in Cedars-Sinai's Accelerator program.

epocrates rolls out AI assistant feature in drug reference app

epocrates developed an AI assistant feature that gives clinicians concise, conversational answers about prescription medications.

163 bipartisan lawmakers tell HHS to scrap 340B rebate pilot program

The letter comes alongside a new analysis of the drug subsidy program's growth and continued sparring between hospital and pharmaceutical groups.

Pivotal, Wellcome Leap invest $100M in women's health research

Wellcome Leap and Pivotal will work to advance scientific breakthroughs for women in cardiovascular health, autoimmune disease and mental health.

Kaiser Permanente, Renown Health unveil insurance, outpatient JV

The nonprofits will establish an outpatient care network in northern Nevada while expanding Renown's existing health plan for value-based coverage.

Cigna exec says Express Scripts poised to weather eventual PBM reform

PBM reform continues to be a key topic on Capitol Hill, and the top brass at Cigna expect to weather the storm.

Pear Suite, Instacart team up to help community health workers address food insecurity

The collaboration will enable thousands of community health workers to address food insecurity for Medicaid members.

Oracle Health ramps up agentic AI amid a race to modernize EHRs

Oracle Health executive Seema Verma made pointed digs at rival Epic as the two EHR companies race to build AI solutions for healthcare organizations.