This Week In Epic News: FTC Probe, AI Agents & More
Epic faced an FTC antitrust probe this week, but that didn't stop the EHR giant from unveiling a wave of new AI tools at its annual conference.
Why Hims & Hers Is Embroiled in Yet Another Controversy, This Time with the FTC
The FTC and the states of Utah and California sued Hims & Hers, alleging it improperly shared consumers’ health information and misled customers about billing, subscriptions and cancellations.
Why Pharma Companies Should Look To Social Media For Better Patient Insight
Healthcare decision-makers, especially at pharmaceutical companies, must prioritize patient input. Data collected from social media listening is a significant step in the right direction.
It Is Time For The Life Sciences Industry To Rethink Its Relationship with HIPAA
As manufacturers play an active role in the patients’ healthcare journey, the boundaries between manufacturers and healthcare providers/payers are becoming increasingly blurry.
The Big 3 PBMs are Countersuing the FTC. Does Their Argument Have Any Teeth?
After the FTC filed a lawsuit in September, accusing the three major pharmacy benefit managers of anticompetitive rebating practices related to insulin, the defendants reversed roles and became plaintiffs. In November, they countersued the agency, arguing that its lawsuit is unconstitutional.
Video: Why the FTC’s Lawsuit Against PBMs May Have Some Legs
Months before the FTC sued the three largest pharmacy benefit managers, the CEO of Blue Shield of California battled its PBM - CVS Caremark - to bring a lower cost prostate cancer drug to its members.
Forging a Noncompete Policy That Works for Healthcare
A more measured approach to noncompete clauses can be fair to physicians and provider organizations, and also serve patients better. Here are four elements for a policy on noncompetes that will work for healthcare.
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The Healthcare Payments Industry Faces a Perception Challenge
Healthcare payments are no longer about transactions. It’s about controlling the revenue cycle. And increasingly, that control is not sitting with ISOs.
The FTC Is Suing PBMs Over Insulin Prices. Will It Be Successful?
The Federal Trade Commission has sued CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and Optum Rx, alleging that they engage in "anticompetitive and unfair rebating practices” as it relates to insulin. One legal expert believes the FTC might win this legal battle.
A Federal Judge Struck Down FTC’s Ban on Noncompetes. What Does This Mean for Healthcare?
A federal judge recently blocked the FTC's ban on noncompetes. The decision has important implications for healthcare.
The FTC Released a Scathing Interim Report on PBMs. What’s Next?
The Federal Trade Commission recently released an interim report that details how the practices of pharmacy benefit managers negatively impact patients and pharmacies. Some experts hope for legislative action based on the report.
FTC Involvement Forces Novant Health to Scrap Its $320M Deal with CHS
Novant Health called off its planned $320 million acquisition of two CHS-owned hospitals in North Carolina. The decision came after an appellate court granted the FTC an emergency injunction to block the deal — the agency had been challenging the deal for more than a year.
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Closing the Quality-Affordability Gap in Workplace Mental Health
In an interview, Kyan Health Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer Konstantin Struck discussed how Kyan gives mid-market and enterprise employers access to premium workforce mental healthcare, at a price point that is affordable.
FTC Seeks More Information on the $16.5B Novo-Catalent Deal, Leading to Another Delay
Novo Holdings’ $16.5 billion planned acquisition of Catalent is facing another delay. Just weeks after Novo decided to resubmit its application to the FTC, the agency is seeking more information about the deal. This move has triggered a second 30-day delay in the antitrust review process.
What Does the FTC’s $7M Fine Against Cerebral Mean for the Industry?
This week, the FTC ordered Cerebral to pay a $7 million fine, accusing the company of mishandling users’ sensitive health data and misleading consumers about cancellation policies. Experts agree that other virtual healthcare providers need to work on their legal and compliance strategies in order to avoid a similar fate.
How the FTC Is Tackling ‘Below the Radar’ Healthcare Deals
The Federal Trade Commission only gets notified when a merger/acquisition deal value is above $100-$110 million, so smaller deals nonetheless lead to a slow consolidation of the market. In conference remarks, FTC Chair Lina Khan outlined the ways in which the agency is trying to counter this phenomenon.
GoodRx Illegally Sold Users’ Data to Google & Facebook, FTC Says
GoodRx failed to notify users that it sold their personal health information to Google, Facebook and other tech companies, the FTC claimed. The agency filed an order that prohibits GoodRx from sharing its users' data with third parties for advertising purposes and requires the company to pay a $1.5 million penalty. GoodRx agreed to pay the settlement but did not admit to wrongdoing.
FTC blocks merger of two NJ hospitals less than a mile apart
This is the third complaint the FTC filed against proposed hospital mergers so far this year.