Olean, N.Y.-based Upper Allegheny Health System laid off 31 employees from two hospitals on Feb. 19, according to the Olean Times Herald.

The time consumers spend waiting for or traveling to healthcare services costs $89 billion each year, according to an analysis from nonprofit research firm Altarum.

A California bankruptcy court has approved Corona, Calif.-based KPC Group's $610 million stalking horse bid for four hospitals owned by El Segundo, Calif.-based Verity Health, according to Law360.

Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, W.Va., and East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry, are allowing patients with outstanding medical bills to pay only half of their balance, according to The Intelligencer.

Technology plays a key role in nearly every step of the revenue cycle process. However, many healthcare organizations continue to struggle with technology adoption and optimization.  

Moab (Utah) Regional Hospital purchased housing for traveling healthcare professionals and received a property tax exemption for the lodging, according to the Moab Sun News.

The Supreme Court of South Carolina has denied an appeal from Charlotte, N.C.-based Atrium Health that sought to block Piedmont Medical Center from building a hospital in Fort Mill, S.C., according to The Herald.

S&P Global Ratings has revised its outlook from stable to positive for Tampa, Fla.-based H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

Most providers won't invest in new digital payment tools this year, despite the key role the billing and payment experience plays in patients' care decisions, according to a report from payment technology company Patientco.

Through a combination of uncompensated care and investments and services, Missouri hospitals provided a total community benefit of $3.3 billion in 2017, according to a report from the Missouri Hospital Association.

Privately insured patients receiving emergency services at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital could see a cap on out-of-pocket payments, according to a San Francisco Examiner report.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed a fiscal year 2020-2021 budget that cancels a previously approved tax cut for hospitals and replaces it with an annual effective tax hike of about $43 million, according to The Connecticut Mirror.

A recent article by ECG Management Consultants discusses the importance and new rules of price transparency. 

A recent article by VisitPay introduces The VisitPay Report and how that will benefit hospitals and health systems. 

A recent article by VisitPay reviews why community plays such a huge role in INTEGRIS' mission. 

Fitch Ratings has affirmed its "AA-" issuer default rating and "AA-" long-term rating for Salem (Ore.) Health.

Springfield (Vt.) Hospital has announced a restructuring of operations that includes layoffs and wage cuts prompted by the hospital's financial struggles, according to WCAX.

Washington County Hospital in Plymouth, N.C., is the subject of an involuntary bankruptcy petition, according to the Triangle Business Journal.

As value-based models occupy a larger share of healthcare reimbursement, hospitals face the two-pronged challenge of reining in costs while achieving better patient outcomes. The industry is shifting toward business models that emphasize population health management, requiring hospitals to use a variety of tools and resources to effectively meet the health and wellness needs of patients in their markets.

UA recent white paper spotlights two state options to protect patients from surprise out-of-network billing.