Here are seven updates from the past week.
DOJ files suit against 2 payer megamergers
The Justice Department's antitrust officials made a much-anticipated move by filing a suit against the pending Anthem/Cigna and Aetna/Humana mergers. Officials say the megamergers would reduce competition, and consumers would bear the burden of the deals — escalated prices.
Humana to leave most ACA exchanges after losing $1B
Humana reported it will leave almost half of the Affordable Care Act's exchanges in 2017 after suffering losses totaling $1 billion last year. The payer said during an earnings report it will participate in "no more" than 11 state marketplaces.
Nobilis names Kenneth Efird president
As president, Mr. Efird will oversee Nobilis' operating units and will lead the execution of the company's strategic plan. Previously, Mr. Efird was the company's chief operating officer and chief business development officer.
Upstate Spine & Neurosurgery Center, Orthopaedic Associates merge to open $7.2M ASC
Two Spartanburg, S.C., practices Upstate Spine & Neurosurgery Center and Orthopaedic Associates are opening a physician-owned ambulatory surgery center. The $7.2 million ASC will offer orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery and pain management.
Missouri hospital to lay off 200 employees, citing government regulations
Ozarks Community Hospital in Springfield, Mo., will lay off 200 employees as the organization closes its surgery and emergency departments. The hospital attributes the layoffs to a federal government system, with the hospital's CEO saying CMS ended its Medicare agreement with the hospital because "we do not satisfy the federal definition of a hospital."
US insurers pay nearly $8k more for TKR than other developed countries
U.S. insurers pay $28,184 to hospitals and physicians for a total knee replacement, nearly $8,000 more than Switzerland payers which pay $20,132. Leading payers in Spain only pay $6,687. For a total knee replacement, U.K. insurers pay $18,451, New Zealand insurers pay $16,508 and Australian insurers pay $15,941.
Gastroenterologists make $380k annually
Medscape Gastroenterologist Compensation Report 2016 found gastroenterologists earn $380,000, on average, up 3 percent from 2015.
More healthcare news:
Humana to leave most ACA exchanges after losing $1B: 5 notes
Upstate Spine & Neurosurgery Center, Orthopaedic Associates merge to open $7.2M ASC: 5 things to know
There were winning & losing payers in the 1st year of ACA: 6 things to know