Friday Five: Top 5 healthcare business news items from the MCOL Weekend edition

Every business day, MCOL posts feature stories making news on the business of health care. Here are five we think are particularly important for this week: 

Average prices higher for outpatient healthcare, study finds

Commercially insured patients face higher prices for a set of healthcare services performed in outpatient settings compared to those at physician offices, according to a Health Care Cost Institute study.

Becker's Hospital Review

Thursday, April 4, 2019 

Insurers, hospitals, physicians united in stance on ACA lawsuit

Hospitals, physicians and insurer groups are united in wanting to preserve the Affordable Care Act and have defended it in briefs filed with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Healthcare Finance News

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 

Fixing Surprise Medical Bill Problem Shouldn’t Fall To Consumers, Panel Told

One point drew clear agreement Tuesday during a House subcommittee hearing: When it comes to the problem of surprise medical bills, the solution must protect patients — not demand that they be great negotiators.

Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 

CMS, states face difficult choices on Medicaid expansion, work requirements

The Trump administration and many states face a complex set of policy decisions in the wake of a federal judge’s decision vacating Medicaid work requirement waivers in Kentucky and Arkansas.

Modern Healthcare

Tuesday, April 2, 2019 

Association Health Plan Ruling Puts Some Companies in Limbo

A federal judge's ruling against a type of health insurance plan designed for small business owners has some companies now thinking about what to do next.

Associated Press

Tuesday, April 2, 2019 

These and more weekly news items on the business of healthcare are featured in the MCOL Weekend edition, along with the MCOL Tidbits, and more, for MCOL Premium level members.