The rumors were true, OptumRx, the UnitedHealth unit, is acquiring workers' comp PBM Helios. I honestly have no idea why, must be pressure from large employers to be able to help in this area.
CMS has finalized its rule requiring Medicaid programs to purchase drugs from pharmacies at actual acquisition cost (good luck figuring out what that is), which supposedly will save $2.7 billion a year.
Invoice Cloud, a vendor of patient communication services around billing and payment, has acquired HealthPay24 which generously allows consumers to pay for health services at the point of service by text on online.
https://www.pehub.com/2016/01/659077/
Jan202016
Research published in Medical Care suggests that at least some hospitals may be using early discharges to post-acute care facilities to both reduce exposure to readmission penalties and as a way to make more money on fixed inpatient reimbursement rates.
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.