The Gist Healthcare Podcast

Merck’s new antiviral pill to treat COVID-19 shows a lot of promise. CMS lays out how the No Surprises Act dispute resolution process will work. And non-covid research is still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sanford Health's Chief Physician Dr. Jeremy Cauwels discusses how the Sioux Falls, SD-based health system is building a virtual care center to consolidate its telemedicine offerings and deliver virtual care at scale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Healthcare worker shortages are problematic now, but a study project they’ll get worse in several states. This week Pfizer shared data with regulators on its COVID vaccine efficacy in young kids. Coast-to-coast healthcare worker vaccine mandates are working.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospital-backed healthcare data company Truveta announces a deal with Microsoft. The American Medical Association's annual report finds a single insurer had at least half of the market in 46 percent of metro areas. And in response to a rise of attacks on healthcare workers, one Missouri hospital is adding panic buttons to employee badges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

Look across the pond to France for more evidence that vaccine mandates work. Walmart Health adopts Epic’s electronic health record system. And regulators ask for more info about a merger between two Michigan hospital systems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York state’s COVID vaccine mandate goes into effect. Devoted Health could be the most valuable insurtech with a valuation at more than $11B. And states start rolling out COVID vaccine booster shots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Capacity and staffing challenges from ongoing COVID surges are creating a domino effect, delaying access to other medical care and backing up emergency departments. Dr. Gregg Miller, Chief Medical Officer of hospital staffing company Vituity, says that these compounding factors are bringing sicker patients into overwhelmed and understaffed emergency departments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...

As vaccine mandates go into effect hospitals and nursing homes worry staffing shortages will get worse. There are renewed calls for more oversight over Medicare Advantage plans. And the FDA  recommends seniors and adults with underlying medical conditions should get COVID booster shots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HCA Healthcare expands into fast-growing Utah. The official American death toll from the COVID pandemic has now surpassed that of the 1918 flu pandemic. And with seniors spending hundreds of dollars on dental and hearing care out-of-pocket, expanding Medicare to cover these benefits is hugely popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amid booster shot limbo, decisions are falling to doctors. With insurers rolling back COVID waivers patients are getting big bills. And Walgreens acquires a majority stake in specialty pharmacy company Shields Health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intermountain Healthcare plans to merge with Colorado-based SCL Health. Pfizer says its vaccine elicited a strong immune response in 5-to-11-year olds. And health apps need to tell consumers if their data was exposed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Although the center of excellence model has been around for years, it has been mainly used by mega-employers. San Francisco-based Carrum Health is making this more accessible to smaller companies through its digital marketplace that connects self-insured employers with a network of providers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As booster debate intensifies in the US, the UK moves forward with its rollout. Hospitals are under pressure to add psychiatric beds. And Buzzfeed News traced the ivermectin as a covid treatment craze back to a questionable study out of Argentina. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As COVID becomes endemic, we need to learn to live with the virus. The federal government accuses Aetna of operating ghost networks to secure Medicaid contracts. Medicare Advantage plans support adding dental, vision, and hearing benefits to traditional Medicare as long as they get higher payments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospitals continue to postpone non-emergent surgeries to preserve capacity for COVID patients. Stimulus dollars and government programs helped keep Americans out of poverty last year. And top vaccine regulators say there’s not enough evidence for booster shots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospitals react to Biden’s new vaccine requirement for healthcare workers. New transparency rules are released for air ambulance companies and insurers. And nursing homes prescribe antipsychotic medications to far more residents than reported. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden Administration plans to release another $25 billion in provider relief funding. Spreading false information about covid vaccines could cost physicians their license. And physician groups in Texas say the state’s new abortion law interferes with their ability to practice medicine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Biden extends COVID vaccine mandates to cover 100 million Americans. And the Biden Administration's plan to reduce prescription drug prices backs top Democratic policy plans, including allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As kids go back into the classroom, COVID cases rise. The FDA is set to decide which e-cigarette products can stay on the market. And as state vaccine requirements for healthcare workers go into effect, there are concerns it could wrosen staffing shortages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British digital-first value-based care company Babylon went from being virtually unknown in the US to managing the cost of care for more than 100,000 lives in a year. Babylon's Chief Business Officer Paul-Henri Ferrand discusses how the company is partnering with health plans, medical groups, and health systems to expand.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A judge approves Purdue Pharma’s controversial bankruptcy settlement and some states vow to appeal. What is more effective at encouraging vaccination: full vaccine approval, mandates, or incentives? And adding dental to Medicare could take years.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two of the FDA’s top vaccine regulators are leaving as the COVID booster decision looms. Nurses are getting higher pay and more favorable contracts as hospitals are desperate for staff. And Apple is working on health tools that can track your fertility and blood pressure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a troubling trend, a few judges have ruled hospitals need to treat COVID patients with ivermectin. Sutter Health settles an antitrust lawsuit and Medicare Advantage fraud suit.  And telehealth giant Amwell completes its acquisition of two smaller digital health companies.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new study in The Lancet finds the Delta variant may actually cause more severe disease than previous strains. Jury selection starts in the trial of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. And CVS and Walmart’s latest move into care delivery is offering mental healthcare in store. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oregon hospitals are struggling to handle the influx of COVID patients, partly because the state has the fewest hospital beds per capita in the nation. In this episode, we'll hear how National Guard troops are helping one Oregon hospital inundated with COVID patients and short on staff.    To take the 5 question survey go to Gisthealthcare.com/survey   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...