Health systems are making swift changes to regain footing in 2024 as industry challenges made things difficult last year, and according to an analysis by healthcare technology company Q-Centrix, one area of focus is clinical data, which can be harnessed to implement improvements and reduce expenses. "More and more leaders...

Hospital, health system leaders address continued cost pressures

Two new studies suggest that free colonoscopies –– covered under CMS provisions set in 2023 –– not only save lives, but also money for both Medicare and private payers. The study, published in Cancer Research Communications and Populations Health Management, found that the new benefit saved...

Free colonoscopies save CMS, private payers money: Study

CMS has finalized a rule intended to improve access to breakthrough medical devices for people with Medicare. The Transitional Coverage for Emerging Technologies Pathway will expedite the coverage of certain FDA-designated breakthrough devices, according to an Aug. 8 news release from the agency. Each year, CMS will accept up to...

CMS finalizes rule for breakthrough devices

Medicare Advantage customer service supports a less healthy, higher-need population, indicating that it should be designed and staffed to effectively serve complex, high-need patients. ABSTRACT. Objectives: To examine characteristics of Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees who use their plan’s customer service to help plans understand how to better meet members’ needs....

Medicare Advantage Customer Service Is Used Most by Higher-Need Patients

A recent survey by SullivanCotter highlights the range of performance measures in health systems' annual incentive programs for executives and managers. The survey, released in July 2024, is based on data from more than 3,265 healthcare organizations representing more than 45,110 executives and managers. Of the 3,265 organizations, 371 are parent organizations, reflecting the health systems' presence in the survey.

How 371 health systems determine executive performance incentive pay

North Carolina State

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Town Talks

Biscuitville, a North Carolina-based chain, has been named the No. 1 fast-food breakfast spot in the nation by USA Today's 10Best. This accolade comes after a month-long voting period where people across the country chose their favorite breakfast destinations.

North Carolina-based chain ranks No. 1 in the nation for fast-food breakfast. Here’s why

COVID-19 deaths fell 68.9% from 2022 to 2023 — dropping from the fourth leading cause of death to the tenth, the CDC said. The CDC used U.S. death certificates to estimate the highest causes of death. The report, released Aug. 8, shares the estimated number of deaths in 2023, and the final report is expected to be released later this year, NBC News reported.

COVID deaths fell 69% in 1 year

Raleigh, NC

Big cities are known for their hustle and bustle, drawing people in who crave excitement, variety, and entertainment. But bigger isn’t always better, or at least not for Raleigh, North Carolina.

North Carolina City Named The Most Boring Town in the State

Walgreens shared in an Aug. 7 Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it could sell off its entire stake in primary care clinic chain VillageMD. "The company is currently evaluating a variety of options with respect to VillageMD in light of ongoing investments by the company in VillageMD’s businesses and VillageMD’s substantial ongoing and expected future cash requirement," the filing said. "These options could include a sale of all or part of the VillageMD businesses, possible restructuring options and other strategic opportunities."

Walgreens eyes offloading all of VillageMD

Ohio State

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The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

Chicago, IL

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Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Heart disease and cancer remained the leading causes of death in 2023, according to provisional data released Aug. 8 by the CDC. Mortality data is collected by the National Center for Health Statistics National Vital Statistics System from U.S. death certificates, according to an analysis published Aug. 8 in JAMA.

Heart disease, cancer remain leading causes of death in US

The FDA has approved the first nasal spray to treat anaphylaxis. The epinephrine nasal spray, called neffy, is for emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in adult and pediatric patients weighing approximately 66 pounds or more, according to an Aug. 9 news release from the agency. The approval is...

FDA approves 1st anaphylaxis nasal spray

Camden, NJ

Cornelius, NC

Morristown Minute

CAMDEN, N.J. – Lisa Smith, 61, of Cornelius, North Carolina, has admitted to her role in a fraudulent scheme involving over $3.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today that Smith pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court on July 17, 2024, to a charge of bank fraud conspiracy.

Woman Pleads Guilty to $3.5M COVID Relief Scam

Florida State

Uncovering Florida

With hurricane season posing a consistent threat six months out of the year, who would not like a little help getting their home ready for the harsh weather to come? Senate Bill 7028: My Safe Florida Home Program, approved by Governor DeSantis on April 24, 2024, and effective as of July 1, appropriates a one-time total of $200 million from 2024 to 2025 for the purpose of funding hurricane mitigation grants and inspections, as well as outreach and administration costs, to support homeowners in Florida.

DeSantis Signs New Bill Giving $200 Million To Homeowners

Arkansas State

Little Rock, AR

Jay Quebedeaux was promoted to president of regional hospitals for Little Rock, Ark.-based Baptist Health. In his new role, Mr. Quebedeaux will be responsible for five Baptist Health regional facilities, according to an Aug. 8 news release shared with Becker's. He will also remain president of Baptist Health Medical Center-Hot...

Baptist Health taps president of 5 Arkansas hospitals

Denver, CO

David Heitz

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

Get ready for our August Community Calls! This month, dive into how POD Foods can slash your distribution costs, gain insider tips from Amazon on optimizing integration and reviews, learn from big CPG innovations, and explore the timeline for profitability in retail. Our August calls are free and open to the public – just register in advance and mark your calendar.

BevNET & Nosh Community Calls This August: Cutting Distribution Costs, Insider Tips From Amazon, Learning from Big CPG, and Retail Profitability

This year has recorded numerous medical advances in transplantation, including a few firsts for the U.S. and world. Here are recent medical advancements, as reported by Becker's:. 1. Clinicians at Northwestern Medicine have performed multiple first procedures. In May and July, the Chicago-based system logged its first two kidney transplants...

2024 charts multiple 1sts in transplantation

Kansas State

Missouri State

CJ Coombs

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) helps to locate missing children. Since July 1, 2024, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 174 children have been reported missing in the U.S. Since January 1, 2024, there was a total of 1,445 reported missing in the country.

Missing Missouri children as of July 17, 2024, according to the NCMEC

NewsBreak

Industry-Leading Clinical Revenue Integrity Results with Accuity: Benefits and Actual Client Outcomes

Ensuring Revenue Received Aligns with Care Delivered. Accuity provides comprehensive clinical revenue integrity services to health systems, leading to higher-quality clinical documentation and accurate, compliant coding....

Industry-Leading Clinical Revenue Integrity Results with Accuity: Benefits and Actual Client Outcomes

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