HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY ++++++

HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY Modern Healthcare: Elevance Health Expands Out-Of-Network Provider Billing Policy https://www.modernhealthcare.com/insurance/mh-elevance-out-of-network-provider-policy/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8O4qIfxyBVJSBh0TX40GyJhtidiLOgWAb3BGRFAty0PpOBeiScPWi3RaoW-TmqsaNiVJRDBhTCrNNIkBx25-IWRVnoug&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email Elevance Health is expanding a policy to deduct pay from hospitals that refer some members to out-of-network providers. Beginning June 1, the Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee may reduce California hospitals’ pay by 10% or terminate facilities from its network if hospitals refer commercial members to inpatient or outpatient providers without a contract, according to a notice sent to providers last month. Hospitals must not pass on the financial penalty to patients, the notice said. (Tepper, 3/10) Chicago Tribune: Northwestern Memorial Gets Approval For ICU Bed Expansion https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/10/northwestern-memorial-gets-approval-for-96-million-icu-bed-expansion-part-of-larger-growth-plan/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_pNINEiFz4nDbE7A6QwxRwsPwzmByL0yIOlmtG6qzmC5HpK8j7DIL69Zp2QN8cRA9oaO4FxbIhxPjdCgRh5X3Y4atcNA&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email Northwestern Memorial Hospital may move forward with a $96 million project to add more intensive care unit beds, a state board decided Tuesday — a plan that’s part of a larger growth strategy for the hospital. (Schencker, 3/10) MedPage Today: The Safest Hospitals In The U.S., According To Healthgrades https://www.medpagetoday.com/hospitalbasedmedicine/generalhospitalpractice/120246?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9bdN4lfZYj9bPMWZ4o1PWEu1Xshx8EBCJsq1s7DDfMyAt5W9NoIySWFzWxao7s_eN4bttZNuyfQcOj6RBIF11O_ZJfmQ&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email The nation's safest hospitals, according to annual rankings from Healthgrades, represent the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety, with the lowest incidences of 13 preventable patient safety events. Patients treated at these 438 hospitals, located across 40 states, were significantly less likely to experience the four most common patient safety indicators, characterized as serious, preventable complications, which account for 78% of all safety events. (Firth, 3/10) Fierce Healthcare: NYU Report Outlines PE Impact On Care Quality, Calls For Reform https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/finance/nyu-stern-report-private-equitys-impact-quality-care?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--nVGSXFUYR_wOCv6g1jgS51Im6387OwAnTset33G6IYV4a3E3G9lkXVJz86BMTI4KjsSChmgfDHWK-1gIr9k4m6Imp1A&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email Private equity’s influence over healthcare companies’ quality of care warrants new reforms for the firm's investing practices, a new report says. The report, published by NYU Stern’s Center for Business & Human Rights, aimed to document the problems observed in recent years stemming from PE ownership in healthcare, including hospital closures, reduced staffing and compromised healthcare services. (Gliadkovskaya, 3/10) Becker's Hospital Review: Private Equity Invested $1T In Healthcare In 10 Years: Report https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/private-equity-invested-1t-in-healthcare-in-10-years-report/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9OgRUqaDiSsMyj4vZxBFv9kS6BZeqSTClYXDCq0xa5Ay89tOpanBN22WpPhllCnlec24NZI0P0CzAlHnN2VUq_uvCLDQ&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email Private equity firms have become a major force in healthcare, investing more than $1 trillion over the last ten years, according to a recent report from New York University’s Stern Center for Business and Human Rights. The report, published March 10 and authored by Michael Goldhaber, examines how private equity’s investments have impacted patient care, hospital finances and medical access. (Scheetz, 3/10) Fierce Healthcare: How CVS Is Using 'Agentic Twins' In Developing Consumer Tools https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/look-how-cvs-leaning-agentic-twins-developing-consumer-tech?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_QFUiC9tRA-6V4kBYIel82QWPGZ85eCo3R13jXc1qj7RDUFhLWEdxLi0s_PIRBJTcluwT7N4OZENaZ5b9_UERRVLzmZw&_hsmi=408164350&utm_content=408164350&utm_source=hs_email CVS Health is making investments in digital health and patient engagement tech across the enterprise, including a partnership with Simile to lean on "agentic twins" to test and pilot new programs. The company has built these digital twins on 2.9 million consented responses from a group of more than 400,000 individuals, representing answers across more than 200 behavioral scenarios. This allows the AI versions to act as accurate stand-ins for the people they're based upon. (Minemyer, 3/10)