As rural hospitals continue to take financial hits, 59% of critical access hospitals in Nebraska are losing money on operations, according to a Nebraska Hospital Association fourth-quarter report shared with Becker's. 

New Orleans-based LCMC Health is partnering with healthcare payment platform Cedar with the goal of improving the post-visit billing experience for patients. 

Hospitals' median calendar year-to-date operating margin index hit 2.3% in December, up from 2% in November and from 1.5% in October, according to Kaufman Hall's latest "National Hospital Flash Report," which is based on data from more than 1,300 hospitals. 

Amarillo-based Northwest Texas Healthcare System is laying off a "limited number of positions" due to the restructuring of certain areas and departments to increase operational efficiencies and reduce cost. 

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has continued to express worry over Dallas-based Steward Health Care's ongoing financial difficulties. 

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare saw revenues of $17.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023, up from $15.5 billion over the same period in 2022, according to its financial report released Jan. 30. 

The financial challenges for many Wisconsin hospitals worsened over the last year, according to Eric Borgerding, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Hospital Association.

Nonprofit Hospitals' operating margins are far below the pre-pandemic "magic number" of 3% and are in danger of a permanent reset in the 1%-2% range, according to a Jan. 29 report published by Fitch Ratings.

Healthcare providers are experiencing a massive surge in denials and write-offs that seriously impact the organization’s financial stability. But there are steps your organization can take now to reduce their likelihood in 2024.

Nearly all of the $60 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds Arkansas earmarked has been committed after four more hospitals were approved for funding, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported Jan. 26. 

Toledo, Ohio-based ProMedica is selling its insurance subsidiary, Paramount Health, to Medical Mutual of Ohio. 

Chippewa Falls, Wis.-based St. Joseph's Hospital, part of Springfield, Ill.-based Hospital Sisters Health System, is reportedly closing sooner than planned, WEAU reported Jan. 26.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said Steward Health Care is "not going to be bailed out," amid the Dallas-based system's financial troubles, NPR affiliate WBUR reported Jan. 27.    

Hospital bankruptcies spiked in 2023 with 12 filings compared to a total of 11 filings in the previous three years combined. Three of those bankruptcy filings were by hospitals in Texas, with another four hospitals in the state either closing or sharing plans to close as inflation, staffing shortages and other financial headwinds continue to challenge healthcare providers. 

Los Angeles-based UCLA Health's request to acquire Los Angeles-based West Hills Hospital and Medical Center has been authorized by the University of California Board of Regents.

State legislatures have introduced more than 70 prior authorization bills during their current legislative sessions, American Medical Association President Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, said. 

Dallas-based Steward Health Care has seen a troubled start to 2024.

Nonprofit hospital operating marings soared last year, increasing 20% January to November of 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022, according to Kaufman Hall's "National Hospital Flash Report," published Jan. 9.

Boston-based Tufts Medicine reported a $171 million operating loss in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, a 57% improvement on the $399 million loss it posted in the previous year, according to financial documents published Jan. 26. 

The Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce has created an HSHS/Prevea Recovery Task Force after Springfield, Ill.-based Hospital Sisters Health System decided to close two hospitals and regional health centers it operates with Green Bay, Wis.-based Prevea Health, the Leader-Telegram reported Jan. 26.