The healthcare industry has been hit by a small number of large-scale cybersecurity breaches in the first half of 2023, with experts suggesting that targeting and tactics may change. Among other news, Cigna has removed the pre-approval requirement for approximately 25% of its medical services.
Fierce Healthcare: Fewer but Larger Reported Healthcare Data Breachs in the First Half of 2023
Critical Insight, a cybersecurity firm, said the healthcare industry was hit by a low-impact but large-scale cybersecurity breach in the first half of 2023, suggesting a shift in attacker targets and tactics. Security firm Critical Insight said in a new report. From January to June, 308 health data breaches were reported to the federal government, down 15% quarter-on-quarter from 363 in the second half of 2022, according to the report. (Muoio, 8/24)
Other healthcare industry news —
Reuters: Cigna removes pre-authorization requirement for 25% of medical services
Health insurer Cigna Group said on Thursday it would eliminate the pre-approval and paperwork required to get approval to cover 25% of its medical services. Health insurers are under pressure as doctors argue that preapproval requirements for some procedures are restrictive and add paperwork. (8/24)
Modern Healthcare: United Health Litigation Reinstated by Court of Appeals Over Mental Health Complaints
A federal appeals court has reopened a high-profile class action lawsuit accusing a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary of falsely denying mental health claims. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled Tuesday that some policyholders may be entitled to relief from United Behavioral Health. and partially overturned the previous judgment. (Tepper, 8/24)
Los Angeles Times: Kaiser Health Workers to Vote on Possible Strike
Tens of thousands of workers at Kaiser Permanente hospitals and clinics across the country will soon vote on whether to approve the strike, union officials said Thursday. The Kaiser Permanente Union Federation, which includes 12 local unions in seven states and the District of Columbia, said voting will begin Saturday and extend through mid-September. Strike he will start after October 1st (Alpert Reyes, 8/24)
Modern Medicine: Cleveland Clinic, UPMC Invests in Expansion Project
Not-for-profit healthcare systems are adding or expanding facilities to meet growing patient demand, despite a challenging operating environment. Construction continues on the 17-story UPMC Presbyterian Inpatient Tower at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and his $1.5 billion project on the system’s Oakland Hospital campus will house 636 beds. The tower is scheduled to open in 2026 and will offer specialty treatments such as cardiology and neurology, UPMC said. (Hudson, 8/24)
Modern Healthcare: Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO to Cut Costs in 2022
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday that nearly two-thirds of responsible care organizations in the Medicare Shared Savings Program earned shared savings last year. According to CMS, these ACOs could save Medicare $1.8 billion in 2022, an 8.4% year-over-year increase. The share of shared savings program ACOs that resulted in cost savings increased from 58% to 63%. (Berryman and Tepper, 8/24)
Stats: New York University Langone Launches Private ChatGPT for Healthcare Data
A senior medical student, a music therapist, a child psychiatrist, and a medical researcher stare at their laptops, baffled by the combination of words that make up a supposedly intelligent system (a customized version of NYU Langone’s ChatGPT) about health care. I thought. I solved the problem in a way that worked for them. (Aguilar, 8/25)
Also –
Modern Medicine: Social Determinants of Health Checks Hit Walls of Trust
Healthcare providers struggle to get patients to talk about the problems they face outside the doctor’s office. Lauren Barca, vice president of quality at patient engagement vendor 86Borders, said healthcare providers want patients to talk about their social needs, but people don’t want to share unwelcome details about their personal lives. face distrust, shame and other obstacles to sharing Patients may also not trust what their providers do with the information they collect, she says. (Heartnet, 8/24)
Wall Street Journal: Wealthy people are getting full-body scans. Early detection or unnecessary?
Companies sell body scans with the promise of reassurance to seemingly healthy patients. Traditional medical professionals are concerned about cost. The monetary cost of preventative scanning ranges from $650 to thousands of dollars. Generally not covered by insurance. Medical experts say demand for this type of procedure is skyrocketing, especially among the wealthy. (Janin, 8/24)
Statistics: What the AAP’s Evidence Review of Gender-Affirmative Care Means in Practice
When the American Academy of Pediatrics earlier this month reaffirmed its support for gender-affirming care and called for a systematic review of the evidence, the move prompted some of the public to question the benefits of such care. considered. (Gaffney, 8/25)
Statistics: Australia’s approach to dialysis celebrates life
In 1972, while Congress promised dialysis and rehabilitation for all Americans with kidney failure, Australia was about to pass its own legislation guaranteeing universal coverage of dialysis. Since then, Australia and the US have taken very different paths in dialysis and healthcare as a whole. (Müller, 8/25)
This is part of the “Morning Briefing,” an overview of health policy coverage by major news outlets. Sign up for email subscriptions.