CMS has published its final rule for Medicare Advantage and Part D in 2026, outlining a series of regulatory updates aimed at strengthening consumer protections and improving care coordination across the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs.  While the final…

CMS recently fined six hospitals for alleged price transparency violations, according to an update on its price transparency enforcement website.  The hospitals are: As of April 7, seven hospitals have been fined for alleged price transparency violations in 2025. Bellaire,…

Federal and state government cuts to public health agencies and programs are leaving a gap in access to care. Hospitals in many communities are preparing to fill that gap, if they can. The Trump administration canceled around $12 billion in…

The Senate on April 3 voted 52-48 to pass an amended budget resolution for fiscal 2025, a significant move toward aligning both chambers on a unified budget framework that could unlock the reconciliation process. While the Senate’s version includes several…

Fitch upgraded Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare’s rating to “A-” from “BBB+.” The upgrade is based on Prime’s continued improvement in operating results in 2024 and “very strong unrestricted balance sheet resources compared to its debt position,” Fitch said in an…

Heritage Valley Kennedy Hospital in Kennedy Township, Pa., will close on June 30 due to declining patient volume and reduced insurance reimbursements, according to an April 2 news release shared with Becker’s. Following the closure, emergency care, outpatient surgery, and…

Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare’s rating was upgraded to “BB-” from “B+” by Fitch.  The upgrade reflects an improving competitive position, with its ambulatory care segment “durably delivering robust EBITDA growth” and recent divestitures funding significant debt reduction and enhancing liquidity, Fitch…

Reaching the highest level since 2021, 11% of U.S. adults are considered “cost desperate,” a group Gallup defines as those who recently could not afford needed care and medicine. Overall, more than one-third of U.S. adults report they cannot access…

Hospital financial performance held steady in February, although hospitals saw a drop in patient demand and utilization, according to Strata. The firm collected data from 1,600 hospitals to measure financial and operational performance. Here are five observations from the report…

Healthcare revenue cycle management company Aspirion appointed Scott Doolittle CFO, effective April 1.  Mr. Doolittle previously served as CFO of Quantum Health, where he led significant financial growth through a combination of strategic mergers and acquisitions and organic growth initiatives. …