Healthcare finance news for hospital and health system leaders

CMS finalized its 2027 hospital outpatient and ASC payment rule Nov. 4, cutting payment for 340B-acquired drugs, expanding site-neutral payments to imaging and continuing to phase out the inpatient-only list.  Fifteen things to know: Payment rates 1. Outpatient payment rates…

In light of the midterm election results, some hospital and health system leaders say some of the policy pressure on their organizations could be eased, while others caution that the underlying financial challenges headed into 2027 remain. President Donald Trump…

Urbana, Ill.-based Carle Health is having trouble processing payments made directly from patients’ bank accounts following a billing system conversion. A Carle spokesperson told Becker’s the issue affects only patients trying to pay directly from a checking or savings account.…

Brewer, Maine-based Northern Light Health is reorganizing its services, including hospital operations and governance, into three regions of the state. The system is also expanding outpatient care as part of this work, “evolving into a model that prioritizes services around…

Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham will close its only primary care practice in the city’s Downtown Crossing neighborhood on Dec. 18, a health system spokesperson confirmed to Becker’s Nov. 4. A Mass General Brigham spokesperson told Becker’s that Mass General…

Health insurer and hospital stocks climbed Nov. 4 after Democrats won majorities in both chambers of Congress in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, as analysts said the new Congress could delay Medicaid cuts and restore enhanced ACA subsidies. Here is…

Brentwood, Tenn.-based Ardent Health recorded operating income of $81 million (5% operating margin) during the third quarter, up from an operating loss of $2.2 million (-0.1% margin) during the same quarter last year, according to its Nov. 4 financial report. …

Health systems approaching capital decisions in 2026 face a familiar set of pressures, including patient volumes and consumer expectations rising while Medicaid funding is contracting and the cost of construction keeps climbing. Gary Paxson, president and CEO of Morganton, N.C.-based…

Sharon (Pa.) Regional Medical Center has begun the process to suspend hospital services. Broader acute care and outpatient operations, and emergency department services will not be accessible to the public beginning Nov. 6 at 8 a.m., a spokesperson for the…

While the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program has left many with questions on if, when and just how much funding they will receive, the program has won over some skeptics. Kurt Forsyth, president of Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health’s…