This week on “Podnosis,” we explore the dynamics surrounding the financial distress gripping hundreds of hospitals nationwide. Despite the perilous situation, there has been a notable increase in merger and acquisition activity, suggesting that amid the chaos, opportunities for value creation and strategic partnerships still exist. 

Joining us for this deep dive is Michael Abrams, managing partner at the healthcare consulting firm Numerof & Associates. In a conversation with Dave Muoio of Fierce Healthcare, Michael provides insights into the current healthcare landscape, shedding light on the considerations that potential buyers evaluate when eyeing distressed hospital assets. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Financial distress fueled more hospital M&A deals in 2023, report finds
• Half of rural hospitals are losing money. Rising MA enrollment likely won't help them, Chartis warns
• Operating pressures, rising demand ensure dealmaking will hold steady in 2024, KPMG says
• Federal regulators, clinicians make their case against private equity in healthcare
• 'Innovative' NJ hospital merger marries for-profit with nonprofits to preserve safety-net care

 

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In this week’s episode of "Podnosis," you'll hear from two journalists from the Fierce Healthcare team: Paige Minemyer, senior editor of Fierce Health Payer, and Dave Muoio, a staff writer for Fierce Healthcare. Together, they'll dive into the most recent earnings updates from the largest health plans and health systems, sharing their key insights and the trends they've identified. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• UnitedHealth Group's stock stumbles as it reports spike in utilization for Q4
• Strong demand, higher per-patient revenues propel HCA Healthcare in Q4 2023
• Despite pockets of higher utilization in Q4, Elevance Health execs say trends aligned with expectations
• Universal Health Services beats on earnings, revenues and projects 'conservative' earnings growth for 2024
• Despite 'significant progress,' Providence ends 2023 with $1.2B operating loss
• Kaiser Permanente reports $4.1B profit, exceeds $100B operating revenues in 2023
• Trinity Health nearly wipes last year's operating losses, grows revenue by over 11%
• Despite sale of its MA business, Cigna CEO says the market is still 'attractive'
• Medicare Advantage headwinds didn't prevent payers from turning a profit in 2023
• Community Health Systems discloses DOJ investigation
• UPMC reports almost $200M operating loss as expenses rise
• CommonSpirit Health's finances trend upward thanks to higher volumes, efficiency push
• Humana reaffirms 2025 guidance as CMS pitches decrease in MA benchmark payments
• Tenet Healthcare shares M&A updates, projects above-guidance 2023 earnings
• Ascension escapes last year's losses with higher per-patient revenues, tempered cost growth
• Mayo Clinic closed out 2023 with $18B in revenue, 6% operating margin
• Mass General Brigham reports $82M operating gain even as expenses continue to bite
• CVS cuts 2024 outlook amid rise in medical costs in Q4

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This week on “Podnosis,” Fierce Healthcare’s Anastassia Gliadkovskaysa sits down with NeuroFlow Chief Medical Officer Tom Zaubler, M.D., to discuss the barriers to the widespread adoption of measurement-based care in behavioral health. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• 2024 Outlook: How tech, incentives could push measurement-based care in behavioral health
• Few therapists measure outcomes. A startup's new framework aims to change that
• Industry Voices—Innovative mental healthcare practices are hampered by access challenges, administrative burdens

 

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This week on “Podnosis,” we explore the critical issue of maternal mental health. 

Ayla Ellison, Editor-in-Chief of Fierce Life Sciences and Healthcare, sits down with Ken Levey, M.D., co-founder and CEO of Mother Goose Health. Together, they explore the deficiencies in maternal mental health care in the U.S. and discuss actionable steps for improvement. Mother Goose Health provides a platform aimed at aiding physicians and patients in initiating care and identifying pregnancy-related risks, including those associated with mental health. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Providers rarely screen for maternal mental health. Are new guidelines enough to move the needle?

• Maternal death rates nearly doubled in 2 decades, study finds. Inconsistent data collection also hampers improvement efforts

• Sweeping new study analyzes maternal health outcomes with SDOH, finds Black mothers at much higher risk

• One in 5 mothers mistreated during maternity care, nearly half withhold concerns, CDC reports

 

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How can healthcare organizations face up to the growing threat posed by cybercriminals? What tangible steps can they take to bolster their defenses? 

Brian Arnold, Director of Legal Affairs at Huntress, joins the podcast to provide valuable insights and actionable strategies for healthcare organizations seeking to navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape and protect themselves against evolving threats. Such threats, Brian outlines, include phishing attacks, social engineering, and the worrying rise of ransomware incidents.

However, there are ways to turn the tide. Building a strong team of defenders, implementing basic cybersecurity hygiene practices, and leveraging cybersecurity products tailored to the healthcare industry… these are all actions which can make a real difference. And they need not break the bank either.

Throughout the conversation, Brian also underscores the critical role of leadership buy-in, employee training, and collaboration with cybersecurity experts in safeguarding patient data and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Want to learn more? Tune in to the full discussion now.

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In the U.S., where the healthcare sector emits significantly more carbon emissions than the aviation industry, hospitals are starting to think about ways to address their climate footprint. 

This week on "Podnosis," Estelle Monod, who leads the global buildings segment at Schneider Electric, sits down with Fierce Healthcare's Anastassia Gliadkovskaya to talk about the sustainability needs of the healthcare sector and ways to address them. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• A 'reckoning' in healthcare: The climate crisis and what the industry can do about it
• Joint Commission announces sustainability certification program for hospitals
• Fierce 50 Social Impact Category

 

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Every year, Fierce Healthcare's editorial team sifts through hundreds of nominations to identify 15 companies that are truly making waves in the healthcare sector, striving to change the world by changing the industry. The 2024 class of Fierce 15 honorees is no exception, taking on some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today. 

This episode features a conversation with Fierce Healthcare's Paige Minemyer, Dave Muoio and Noah Tong. They share insights into this year's Fierce 15, discussing the companies that made the cut and the significant issues they are addressing.  

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 of 2024

 

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This is the second part of our series reconnecting with Fierce 15 winners from 2019, the first year Fierce Healthcare published the list of 15 private companies engaged in pioneering work  

This week on "Podnosis," we catch up with the leaders of Elemeno Health and Digital Diagnostics, both recognized as Fierce 15 winners in 2019.

First up, Fierce’s Anastassia Gliadkovskaya chats with Arup Roy-Burman, M.D., the founder and chief medical officer at Elemeno Health. Roy-Burman reflects on Elemeno’s evolving mission to democratize information and its entry into new markets, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Next, Fierce’s Noah Tong catches us up with Digital Diagnostics. The Iowa-based company rose to prominence because of its AI system that enabled a specialist diagnosis for diabetic retinopathy in a primary care setting. Noah interviews CEO John Bertrand about the company’s global expansion, its approach toward value-based care and the future of AI. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 of 2019

• Digital Diagnostics dials up $75M funding for diabetic retinopathy AI 

• Baxter taps Digital Diagnostics' diabetic retinopathy AI for its Welch Allyn eye scanners 

• Microsoft, Wolters Kluwer collaborate on 'big picture insights' analytics offering for hospitals 

• Privia Health joins forces with AI startup Navina for point-of-care clinical insights 

 

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This week on “Podnosis,” we rewind to January 2019 when Fierce Healthcare unveiled its inaugural Fierce 15, spotlighting 15 private companies engaged in pioneering work and making waves in healthcare innovation. 

In this episode, we reconnect with leaders from two of those companies: Cityblock Health and Civica Rx.

Fierce Healthcare Senior Editor Heather Landi chats with Kameron Matthews, M.D., the Chief Health Officer at Cityblock Health. From its beginnings with a single neighborhood hub to now operating in six markets and caring for more than 100,000 patients, we explore Cityblock’s journey and lessons learned in providing care to medically underserved populations. 

Next, Fierce Healthcare’s Noah Tong interviews Civica Rx CEO Ned McCoy, who takes us through Civica Rx’s journey over the last few years—from its formation in 2018 to now working with 1,500 member hospitals across the U.S. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 of 2019
• JPM24: Cityblock inks partnership with Centene plan in Ohio to serve Medicaid patients
• Fierce 50 Health Equity Honoree: Kameron Matthews
• Group of US hospitals officially launches nonprofit generic drug company as Civica Rx 
• Civica Rx taps Ned McCoy as new CEO
• Civica Rx to make, distribute low-cost insulin

 

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The digital health and health tech sectors had a tough year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating through a turbulent hype cycle. Startups witnessed a significant slump in funding, and public markets didn't quite live up to expectations. However, amid these market trials, 2023 revealed some silver linings for the sector. 

This week on "Podnosis," Sofia Guerra and Steve Kraus from Bessemer Venture Partners sit down with Fierce Healthcare's Heather Landi to discuss the health tech sector's performance, unraveling the factors that contributed to its current state. They share what it will take to get health tech out of its current market lull and explore whether we’ll see a rebound in IPOs this year.

They also share their big predictions for health tech in 2024, like who is making it to the other side and who will be left in the digital health graveyard. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• JPM24: Digital health funding hit $10.7B in 2023, the lowest in four years. How will the market shake out?
• Digital health investments shift to disease treatment, workflow solutions and VBC in Q3: Rock Health
• Digital health funding settles down in 2023 with fewer deals, lower check sizes

 

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