CMS finalized its end-stage renal disease treatment choices model and radiation oncology payment models Sept. 18.

Hospitals across the U.S. charge private insurers an average of 247 percent more than what Medicare would pay for the same care, according to a RAND Corp. study published Sept. 18. 

Memorial Health System, a five-hospital network in Springfield, Ill., laid off 143 workers, according to The State Journal-Register. 

An analysis of nearly 20 million Americans showed they have a combined $45 billion of medical debt in collections, according to USA Today, which cited an analysis from Credit Karma, a consumer finance company. 

Beginning Jan. 1, hospitals across the nation must disclose the rates they negotiate with Medicare Advantage plans. Some hospitals considered defying the rule, but a new penalty has them rethinking their decision, according to Bloomberg Law. 

University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center has called back nearly all of the 3,474 employees it furloughed in May, according to Spectrum News. 

The Emergency Triage, Treat and Transport model will begin Jan. 1, CMS announced Sept. 16. 

Moody's Investors Service maintained its negative outlook for U.S. for-profit hospitals due to waning federal aid, shifting payer mixes and varying volume trends.

An Illinois federal court has dismissed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging University of Chicago Medical Center, Medical Business Office and Trustmark Recovery Services violated the False Claims Act, according to Bloomberg Law. 

Restaurant chain Panda Express has pledged $20 million to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles to support various healthcare programs and services. 

The estimated $599 million merger of Jefferson Health and Einstein Health Network would push hospital costs higher, an economist commissioned by the Federal Trade Commission testified Sept. 15, according to Law360. 

A bipartisan group of 50 lawmakers in the U.S. House unveiled a nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package Sept. 15. 

COVID-19 diagnostic test charges range from 1 cent to $14,750, according to a study published Sept. 15 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. 

Here are eight health systems with strong operational metrics and solid financial positions, according to reports from Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings.

Greenwich (Conn.) Hospital, a member of Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health, received a record $14 million gift to advance cancer care. 

U.S. hospitals and health systems must soon begin repaying Medicare advance payments, but this will not materially affect the ratings of nonprofit healthcare providers, according to Fitch Ratings.

Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs generated a record $1.2 billion in net savings for the Medicare program across 541 ACOs in 2019, CMS Administrator Seema Verma announced Sept. 14 in Health Affairs.

Hospital chains owned by three private equity firms received a combined $2.5 billion in federal grants and loans to offset financial damage linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Bloomberg.

Jefferson Health walked back its stance that Einstein Health Network's flagship hospital is at risk of financial failure without a merger during the first day of arguments at a trial, according to Law360.

CMS has withdrawn its proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule, Administrator Seema Verma tweeted Sept. 14.