Elevance Health, Inc. (formerly known as Anthem) reported strong full year profits of $8.5 billion for 2022, an increase of 12.9% over the prior year. Elevance’s operating revenues were also sharply up, growing 13.7% over the prior year to $156 billion. As a result, Elevance’s quarterly dividend increased 16% to $148 a share. These results […]
The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division has withdrawn three antitrust policy statements related to enforcement in healthcare markets. The withdrawn policy statements are: Department of Justice and FTC Antitrust Enforcement Policy Statements in the Health Care Area (September 15, 1993) Statements of Antitrust Enforcement Policy in Health Care (August 1, 1996) Statement of Antitrust Enforcement
DOJ WITHDRAWS THREE ANTITRUST POLICY STATEMENTS RELATED TO HEALTHCARE Read More »
Beating analysts’ expectations, Cigna reported strong profits of $1.2 billion and revenues of $45.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022. Both profits and revenues were up from the prior year quarter in which Cigna reported profits of $1.1 billion and revenues of $45.7 in revenues. For the full year of 2022, Cigna likewise reported
Medicare Advantage plans are concerned that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (“CMS”) final Risk Adjustment Validation Rule (“RAVR”), which is expected to be published on February 1, 2023, will be used to seek millions of dollars in retrospective adjustments going back to 2011. Medicare Advantage plans have been highly profitable for private health
On January 17, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held a roundtable with provider groups on improving the prior authorization process in governmental programs such as Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and exchange plans under the Affordable Care Act. Providers have long complained that health insurers’ prior authorization processes unnecessarily delay patient care and
Following several quarters of strong profits, UnitedHealth Group (“United”) again reported strong profits for the fourth quarter of 2022, with double-digit growth at both UnitedHealthcare and Optum. United’s fourth quarter results again beat analysts’ expectations. United posted profits of $4.8 billion for the fourth quarter, up from $4.1 billion for the fourth quarter in 2021.
The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform (“CHQPR”) has issued an alarming report finding that more than 600 rural hospitals – nearly 30% of the country’s total – are at risk of closing in the near future. Of these, over 200 are at risk of immediate closure. This continues a trend that began before
CHQPR REPORTS THAT NEARLY 30% OF THE COUNTRY’S RURAL HOSPITALS ARE AT RISK FOR CLOSURE Read More »
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has proposed a rule that would, in its words, “categorically” ban non-compete clauses in labor contracts. Non-compete clauses are terms in labor agreements that prevent a worker from accepting employment with a competitor or starting a competing business after leaving an employer, generally for a certain period of time and
THE FTC PROPOSES RULE THAT WOULD BAN NON-COMPETE CLAUSES Read More »
Non-compete clauses are increasingly common in healthcare provider contracts. Non-compete clauses present numerous legal issues, including their scope and enforceability as both the federal and state governments enact laws and policies governing their use. The attorneys at Whatley Kallas, LLP are keeping up-to-date with this changing legal landscape. Whatley Kallas Of Counsel Deborah Winegard recently
NON-COMPETE CLAUSES ARE COMMON IN HEALTHCARE PROVIDER CONTRACTS Read More »
Humana, Inc. and Cigna Corporation both reported strong third quarter 2022 profits due to lower than expected payments to medical providers. Humana reported third quarter 2022 profits of $1.2 billion, beating analysts’ expectations. Humana also reported strong third quarter 2022 revenues of $22.8 billion, up by 10.2% from the third quarter of 2021. In announcing