TOP STORIES
The consolidation train continues to chug along. A merger between Robert Wood Johnson Health System and Barnabas Health will create an 11-hospital system — New Jersey’s largest. The reasons listed by Barnabas Health CEO Barry Ostrowsky include adapting to new payment models and managing population health. — Modern Healthcare
ProPublica’s report on its new Surgeon Scorecard database, which provides a close look at death and complication rates for doctors, is getting pushback from its primary target in the piece: Johns Hopkins Hospital.
When Investment Rhymes with Canada
Canada has a proud history of achievement in the areas of science and technology, and the field of biomanufacturing and life sciences is no exception.
“While their underlying motives are worthy, ProPublica’s surgeon ratings suffer from a significant methodological flaw, misinforming the public and maligning some surgeons in the process,” Hopkins Spokeswoman Kim Hoppe said in an emailed statement to the Baltimore Business Journal. “Transparency is much needed in healthcare, but transparency without accuracy is irresponsible.”
LIFE SCIENCES
Thoratec Corp, leader in mechanical circulatory support therapies designed to support and restore failing hearts, announced that HeartMate PHP (Percutaneous Heart Pump) received CE Mark approval. — FierceMedicalDevices
Former Medtronic subsidiary Physio-Control inked a deal with Aircraft Medical to distribute its McGrath MAC EMS video laryngoscope internationally.
“We’ve been providing lifesaving tools to lifesaving teams for over 60 years. We are excited to partner with Aircraft Medical as we expand our emergency medical response portfolio to include airway management. The McGrath MAC EMS is a great addition to the Physio-Control product lineup,” Physio-Control chief marketing officer Cam Pollock said in a press release.
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
CMS’ advanced analytics system, the Fraud Prevention System, identified or prevented $820 million in inappropriate payments in the program’s first three years.
“We are proving that in a modern healthcare system you can both fight fraud and avoid creating hassles for the vast majority of physicians who simply want to get paid for services rendered,” said CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt in a news release.
TECH
House call service startup Pager raised $14 million in a round led by New Enterprise Associates and Ashton Kutcher’s Sound Ventures. It appears to be the first healthcare deal for the venture firm launched at SXSW. Existing investors – Goodwater Capital, Lux Capital and Montage Ventures – also participated. It’s using the funding to expand its presence beyond New York and to add more services. — Pager
Philips has launched an initiative to support development of technology to help seniors stay at home for longer with Georgetown University and MIT. — Philips
Private equity firm NaviMed Capital closed its inaugural fund with more than $110 million in commitments in healthcare service companies and other areas. — Washington Business Journal
AstraZeneca has partnered with mobile-enabled health coaching services company Vida to launch an app, called Day-by-Day, that helps patients who are recovering from a heart attack. — Fortune
POLITICS
CMS has announced intentions to potentially modify its “Two-Midnight” rule, but still stands strong on its adherence. The rule is a billing process that bases payments for inpatient care under Part A versus Part B on provider expectations.
Factors relevant to an analysis of the appropriateness of payment under Part A would include the severity of signs and symptoms, the predictability of an adverse event, and the nature of necessary diagnostic studies.
CMS plans to implement this change no later than October of 2015.
— SheppardMullin Healthcare Blog
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
At a NASA briefing, Alan Stern, New Horizon’s principal investigator, answered questions and shared about the historic Pluto flyby. He discussed the team’s latest impressions of Pluto’s surface and how the data is being transmitted back to Earth. — Gizmodo
