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Health Inc. : Shots - Health News As spending on care rises, the business of health keeps getting more important. We feature news on and analysis of drugmakers, health insurers, hospitals, doctors and others in the business of providing health care.
Shots - Health News

Shots

Health News From NPR

Health Inc.

Wednesday

Monday

Friday

With Medical Debt Rising, Some Doctors Push For Payment Upfront

Bridgeit Vaughn (left), of the billing office at Mid State Orthopaedic, meets with Gayle Jackson-Pryce to discuss the costs of Jackson-Pryce's upcoming shoulder surgery. Jenny Gold for NPR hide caption

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Jenny Gold for NPR

Health Inc.

With Medical Debt Rising, Some Doctors Push For Payment Upfront

KFF Health News

Rising deductibles and copayments have driven some patients to put off paying their bills. So doctors, who have payrolls to meet, too, are getting much more aggressive about collecting their fees.

With Medical Debt Rising, Some Doctors Push For Payment Upfront

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Thursday

Rural Hospitals Weigh Independence Against Need For Computer Help

Dr. Billy Oley (left) talks with Dr. William George in the Beartooth Billings Clinic in Red Lodge, Mont. The hospital became part of the Billings Clinic system in exchange for help with its digital medical records. Eric Whitney for NPR hide caption

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Eric Whitney for NPR

Health Inc.

Rural Hospitals Weigh Independence Against Need For Computer Help

Hospitals in out-of-the-way places are making trade-offs as they adopt electronic medical records. Some are joining larger health systems, while others are searching for ways to go it alone.

Rural Hospitals Weigh Independence Against Need For Computer Help

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Wednesday

Monday

Scribes Are Back, Helping Doctors Tackle Electronic Medical Records

As the doctor examines a patient, medical scribe Connie Gayton records the visit using a microhone tethered to her laptop. Brandon Thibodeaux for NPR hide caption

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Brandon Thibodeaux for NPR

Health Inc.

Scribes Are Back, Helping Doctors Tackle Electronic Medical Records

In ancient times scribes were used to record everything from prayers to legal transactions. Now they're making a comeback in the doctor's office, easing the transition to electronic medical records.

Scribes Are Back, Helping Doctors Tackle Electronic Medical Records

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Sunday

Friday

Actuaries In Denver Will Get First Peek At Obamacare's Full Cost

Health insurers are banding together to share information about how much new customers are costing health plans. A group of actuaries in Denver will be the first to see the figures, which could be used in calculating future rates. iStockphoto hide caption

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iStockphoto

Health Inc.

Actuaries In Denver Will Get First Peek At Obamacare's Full Cost

KFF Health News

Health insurers across the country have agreed to share information about how much new customers are costing their health plans. The figures will be used to calculate future rates.

Tuesday

Drugmakers Slash Spending On Doctors' Sales Talks

Now that Eli Lilly & Co.'s antidepressant Cymbalta and some other blockbusters have gone generic, the company is spending less on promotional activities by doctors. Darron Cummings/AP hide caption

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Darron Cummings/AP

Health Inc.

Drugmakers Slash Spending On Doctors' Sales Talks

ProPublica

The sharp decline in payments coincides with increased scrutiny of drug marketing. Later this year, federal law will also require that drugmakers disclose the amount of money they give to doctors.

Drugmakers Slash Spending On Doctors' Sales Talks

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Friday

'Magic' Overdose Drug Works, But Demand And Price On The Rise

Several states distribute Naloxone hydrochloride, also called Narcan, to treat opium-based drug overdoses. But only one company manufactures the drug, and the price has spiked in recent years. Toby Talbot/AP hide caption

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Toby Talbot/AP

Treatments

'Magic' Overdose Drug Works, But Demand And Price On The Rise

WBUR

First responders nationwide are expanding use of Narcan, used to treat heroin and other opioid overdoses. But the drug is pricey — and only one company makes it.

'Magic' Overdose Drug Works, But Demand And Price On The Rise

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Connecticut Looks To Sell Its Obamacare Exchange To Other States

Kevin Counihan, CEO of Connecticut's health insurance exchange, hopes to be able to market their expertise. Jeff Cohen/NPR hide caption

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Jeff Cohen/NPR

Health Inc.

Connecticut Looks To Sell Its Obamacare Exchange To Other States

WNPR

Problems with online insurance marketplaces have hampered the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in many states. Connecticut, a success story, is trying to turn its expertise into a business.

Connecticut Looks To Sell Its Obamacare Exchange To Other States

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Friday

Thursday

Wednesday

By Dropping Cigarettes, CVS Gives Its Reputation A Boost

A CVS pharmacy in Orlando, Fla., is one of more than 7,600 stores where the company will stop selling tobacco products by October. John Raoux/AP hide caption

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John Raoux/AP

Health Inc.

By Dropping Cigarettes, CVS Gives Its Reputation A Boost

The drugstore chain says halting the sale of tobacco products could reduce revenue by $2 billion a year. CVS says it's looking for ways to make up for the lost business. But the value of the good public relations from the move could easily surpass the costs.

Monday

10 Places Where Health Insurance Costs The Most

Health insurance premiums in Aspen, Colo., are among the highest in the country. Andrew Wilz/AP hide caption

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Andrew Wilz/AP

Health Inc.

10 Places Where Health Insurance Costs The Most

KFF Health News

Some of the priciest markets for insurance include rural counties in Georgia and the areas around ski resorts in Colorado. While many people in these places will receive government subsidies to help pay for premiums, the portion that they pay will still be higher than what they would have to foot elsewhere.