In memorium: Nancy E. Adler, Who Linked Wealth to Health, Dies at 77 “Dr. Adler was instrumental in documenting the powerful role that education, income and self-perceived status in society play in predicting health and longevity.
Today, the connection is well known — a truism among public health experts is that life expectancy is determined more by your ZIP code than your genetic code. But it was an obscure notion as recently as 30 years ago.”
About health insurance/insurers
Payer stocks skid as Humana slashes 2023 outlook amid elevated utilization “The insurer said that while it had braced for elevated costs in the quarter, expenses exceeded those expectations, pushing its medical loss ratio to 91.4%, compared to an expected 89.5%. Its MLR for the full year was also above it projections, landing at 88% compared to an anticipated 87.5%.
Following the news, the company's stock dropped by 11%, trading at its lowest rate since it slashed its outlook in early 2022 following the Medicare Advantage enrollment window.
The reports also dragged down rival insurers. UnitedHealth Group, Elevance Health, CVS Health, Centene and Cigna were all trading down as of mid-afternoon on Thursday.”
CMS unveils new behavioral health model using a 'no wrong door' approach “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Thursday the Innovation in Behavioral Health Model, a new approach that is designed to test for improving outcomes for adults with mental health and substance use disorder.
Beginning this fall, the model is intended to funnel adults in Medicare and Medicaid to the "physical, behavioral and social supports" they need, according to a press release. Community-based practices under IBH will create care teams with behavioral and physical health providers. The proposal embraces a no wrong door approach that allows people to obtain all services they need no matter how they first seek out care. Screenings, assessments and referrals to other services will be available.
While the practice participant enrollment period begins this year, the implementation period takes place from 2027 to 2032, a fact sheet (PDF) released by CMS says. States have not yet been selected to participate.”
About hospitals and healthcare systems
Hospital CEO turnover up 42% in 2023 “Hospitals and health systems reported 146 CEO changes last year, marking a 42% increase from 2022.
Hospitals and health systems announced 103 CEO changes in 2022, according to a Jan. 18 report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas…”
Congress passes short-term funding bill extending DSH payments to March 8 “From a healthcare perspective, the bill again pushes back a scheduled $8 billion-per-year cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital program payments. It also temporarily renews funding for community health centers, the National Health Service Corps and teaching health centers operating Graduate Medical Education programs. Each of the above will now be funded up to March 8.
More controversial healthcare items in lobbyists’ crosshairs, such as implementation site-neutral Medicare payments or a physician Medicare payment rate cut that went into effect Jan. 1, are not addressed in the stopgap.”
About healthcare IT
Epic accused of patent infringement “SynKloud Technologies filed the lawsuit in the Western District of Wisconsin, alleging that Epic's MyChart uses similar software as the one listed in its U.S. patent No. 8,856,383…”