State Legislature considers bills to significantly change health care certificate of need regs
Michigan’s certification-of-need regulations for health care projects could undergo significant changes under legislation proposed in Lansing.
Health care providers retool prescription practices in shift away from opioids
When Dr. Lynda Hulst went to work at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital 18 months ago, patients typically waited a month to get into its chronic pain management program.
Advocates back bill to curtail prior authorization by health insurers
Believing the pendulum has swung too far and often results in delays for patient care, physicians want state legislators to curtail the ability of health insurers to require prior authorization to cover a medical test, procedure or medication.
Legislation targets surprise medical billing
Legislation coming up for consideration in Lansing aims to alleviate so-called “surprise billing” in health care.
HEALTH CARE: Medical groups work to keep public informed of marijuana’s effect on health
As the state begins to implement new laws allowing adult recreational marijuana use, the Michigan State Medical Society wants a voice in the process.
HealthBridge raises $8.2M to continue scaling operations
GRAND RAPIDS — As more employers shift to high-deductible health plans, hospitals and doctors have wrestled with collecting the portion of the bill from patients who have not yet met their deductibles.
Push to reform state auto no-fault re-emerges in Lansing
Reforming Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system remains a high priority in Lansing after a proposal during the 2018 lame-duck legislative failed to gain the support needed to pass. State House leaders this month, soon after convening the new legislative session, formed a special committee to look at no-fault reform, and the first bill introduced in the Senate offers a basic outline for reforms.
Crystal Ball 2019 Health Care Outlook: Transparency, escalating drug costs among top issues for 2019
Health care goes into 2019 facing many of the same issues and trends that have been driving industry change in recent years: the movement to value-based contracting, more use of telemedicine, growing concerns about cybersecurity, and greater price and cost transparency for consumers.
Pine Rest broadens access to psychiatric care with new center
GRAND RAPIDS — The psychiatric urgent care center that Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services plans to open next spring represents the first step toward broadening access to behavioral health care across West Michigan.
State bill to license genetic counselors advances through Legislature
Michigan would join nearly twodozen other states and begin regulating the emerging field of genetic counseling under a bill moving through the Legislature.