Humana said on Tuesday it would eliminate about one-third of prior authorizations for outpatient services by next year, the latest insurer to address the tedious paperwork process that has been a pain point for patients and providers.
The company will remove the authorization requirement for diagnostic services across colonoscopies and transthoracic echocardiograms and select CT scans and MRIs by January 1, 2026.
New Jersey law requiring hospitals to provide care to patients who cannot pay is constitutional despite the fact that the state does not reimburse them for all — or even most of — the costs associated with charity care, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.
With state and federal policymakers eyeing restrictions on health insurers’ use of the care-delaying cost-control process of prior authorization, the nation’s biggest carriers are pledging anew to make changes on a voluntary basis.
Hospitals could be on the hook for significantly higher outpatient drug prices. Because of the cuts to Medicaid, hospitals in the 340B program will see fewer Medicaid patients and may risk losing their 340B status.
Failed contract negotiations between Brown University Health and UnitedHealthcare mean that thousands of seniors and disabled residents will no longer be covered for non-emergency visits at four Rhode Island hospitals starting July 1.