News From Around the Web
> Data and analytics company Health Catalyst has acquired Columbus, Ohio-based Health Care DataWorks. HCD's consumers, which include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, El Camino Hospital, MemorialCare Health System, Orlando Health and Tampa General Hospital, have become Health Catalyst customers under the merger. Announcement
> Temple University Health System's lung center and HGE Health Care Solutions are collaborating to jumpstart the center's new Center for Digital Health. One of the first technologies to be studied at the new digital health center will be a tool by HGE for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reporting. Announcement
> National Coordinator for Health IT Karen DeSalvo received unanimous consent from member Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee late Wednesday on her nomination to be assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services. A spokesperson told FierceHealthIT that the nomination will be taken up on the floor at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader once the Senate returns from its August recess.
Health Insurance Anti-Fraud News
> Preventing improper payments, which comprised $17.5 billion of Medicaid spending in 2014, represents a specific concern for the long-term health of the government-run health program, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office. Article
> Andy Slavitt, nominated by President Obama in July to replace Marilyn Tavenner as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid administrator, was once a key player in one of the largest fraud settlements by a health insurance company. Article
Provider News
> Along with online patient reviews, consumers now will have easier access to federal data on hospitals--including average wait times to see a doctor in the emergency room--under a new partnership between Yelp and ProPublica. Article
And Finally... What do they have against odd numbers? Article