Health care’s post-pandemic lurch into the virtual world has challenged physicians to continuously communicate with their patients as they provide ongoing care. However, as the patient-doctor relationship has evolved, physicians have found themselves responding to sometimes thousands of patient messages ... READ MORE >
Health care and cybersecurity insurance: The importance of understanding your organization’s coverage
Over the past decade, cybersecurity breaches in health care have become more pervasive and costly, and the nature of the attacks have changed. And while cyber insurance could be a way to protect organizations from these costly threats, there’s much to consider about this coverage. At one time ... READ MORE >
What do the latest job numbers say about the health care sector?
According to the latest nonfarm payroll jobs report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care added 44,700 jobs, which exceeded our estimate of 40,000. The overall economy added 263,000 jobs last month, a slight increase over October’s 261,000. These results also exceeded the consensus ... READ MORE >
Along with community benefits, ESG efforts could reduce capital costs for health care providers
Health care executives and treasury departments may meaningfully engage in environmental, social and governance finance this year as we see ESG bonds and loans helping hospitals and health systems reduce capital costs in exchange for providers improving the health of their local communities—something they ... READ MORE >
Persistent labor shortages will challenge most health care providers: Spring 2022 outlook
The health care ecosystem continues to struggle with a depressed labor supply, a situation unlikely to abate in the near term. Health care organizations will be forced to explore new technology solutions to fill the human labor gap. Technologies like robotic process automation and descriptive ... READ MORE >
Labor challenges in health care are here for the long term
Labor costs and availability continue to vex hospitals and health systems. Even the large, publicly traded systems (HCA Healthcare, Tenet Healthcare, Universal Health Services and Community Health Systems) are not immune. Everyone is paying more for labor, if they can find it. By the numbers Last week ... READ MORE >
As startups in health care look to new revenue models, questions remain
After years of struggling with rising costs among health care providers, investors are looking to primary care providers as a way to reduce expenses, improve outcomes and enhance patient experiences, the so-called triple aim. This model isn’t new to health care, but the amount of cash being invested in ... READ MORE >
Anthem and Kroger to launch Medicare Advantage plan marking further shifts in health care delivery
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Kroger Health are teaming up to offer a Medicare Advantage plan next year. Anthem is seeking to gain market share in the Medicare Advantage space, which is dominated by United Healthcare. Kroger undoubtedly wants to create more reasons for people to walk into one of ... READ MORE >
To solve shortage of nurses, first understand why they leave
As nurses’ critical role in health care rapidly evolves, they are becoming harder to find. A 2018 study published in the American Journal of Medical Quality estimated a shortage of 510,394 registered nurses by 2030. This shortage is driven by both supply and demand factors. On the supply side, the nursing ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Broadband expansion is the bridge to better health
Today is World Health Day. The World Health Organization's theme this year, “a fairer, healthier world,” could not be more timely for the United States. President Biden recently released a $2.2 trillion infrastructure plan, which includes a number of initiatives directly or indirectly related to health ... READ MORE >