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Author: Lauren Brown

Southern States Among Leaders in U.S. News’ Top Home Health Rankings

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In its inaugural Best Home Health ranking, U.S. News & World Report evaluated more than 12,000 Medicare-certified agencies nationwide using CMS quality and patient experience data. Just over 11% (1,320 agencies) earned the Best Home Health distinction for exceeding national benchmarks in timely care, patient improvement outcomes, and reduced preventable hospitalizations. Among the Southeast states highlighted: Top-rated agencies began care on time for 99% of patients (compared to 94% nationally) and demonstrated stronger improvement rates…
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Six Health Systems Named to Fortune’s Most Admired Companies List — Including Birmingham’s Encompass Health

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Six major health systems earned recognition on the 28th annual World’s Most Admired Companies list by Fortune and Korn Ferry, which evaluates companies on leadership, talent, quality, and social responsibility. Notably for Alabama, Encompass Health, based in Birmingham, ranked No. 4 in the medical facilities category. Other recognized systems include HCA Healthcare (No. 1 in its category for the 12th consecutive year), Universal Health Services, Tenet Healthcare, Ardent Health, and Community Health Systems. Resource: 6…
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Novo Nordisk to Cut U.S. List Prices for Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus in 2027

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Novo Nordisk announced it will reduce the U.S. list price of Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus to $675 per month beginning Jan. 1, 2027—representing an approximate 50% reduction for Wegovy and 35% for Ozempic across all doses. The company stated the change is designed to improve affordability for patients whose out-of-pocket costs are tied to list prices, such as those with high-deductible plans or coinsurance, and will not impact existing self-pay options like NovoCare. The adjustment…
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Study Finds Medicare Patients Use Telehealth Broadly—Not Just for Behavioral Health

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New research from the University of Utah, conducted with support from the University of Michigan and the Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR), shows that telehealth is widely used by Medicare beneficiaries for both behavioral and non-behavioral health concerns. Between 2021 and 2023, a sample of 15,000 Medicare patients accounted for roughly 31 million annual telehealth visits for behavioral health and 29 million for other conditions, including chronic care. The findings challenge the…
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Alabama Bill Would Require Physician Review and Greater Transparency for AI-Driven Prior Authorizations

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The Alabama Senate has passed legislation that would restrict how insurers use artificial intelligence in prior authorization decisions, requiring that any denial be made by a physician or qualified provider rather than AI alone. The bill mandates that AI tools base determinations on a patient’s individual medical history and clinical documentation—not solely on group-level data—and requires annual certification to the Alabama Department of Insurance confirming systems are non-discriminatory and produce consistent outcomes. Insurers would also need…
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New Clinical Research Highlights: Cancer Outcomes, Autoimmune Links, ILD Risk & PAH Medication Adherence

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Walking May Reduce Mortality Risk in Breast Cancer Survivors With Genetic Obesity Risk Research published in JAMA Network Open found that women with breast cancer who have a higher genetic predisposition to obesity face a 15% greater mortality risk. However, adding approximately 15 minutes of walking per day may reduce that elevated risk to levels comparable to lower-risk patients. Study Explores Link Between Low-Risk HPV and Thyroid Eye Disease A research letter in JAMA Ophthalmology…
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Alabama Eyes ED Physician Staff-Level Transparency Requirement

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The Alabama Senate is considering legislation that would require hospitals to publicly report emergency department physician coverage hours. Senate Bill 297 would mandate quarterly public reports detailing how many hours per week a physician is physically present in each hospital’s ED. The information would be posted online and displayed within the emergency department. The bill also authorizes the Alabama Department of Public Health to suspend or revoke licenses for noncompliance. If enacted, the requirement would…
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Alabama Lawmakers Advance Bill Allowing Insurer Reorganization

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The Alabama Senate unanimously passed legislation Feb. 17 that would allow Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama to reorganize under a nonprofit holding company structure. The bill now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives and, if signed into law, would take effect Oct. 1. The proposal would permit BCBS Alabama’s board to authorize the restructuring without prior approval from the state insurance department. The new holding company could create subsidiaries and invest in other…
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3 Trends Shaping the GLP-1 Landscape

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GLP-1 therapies continue to reshape chronic disease management, driving regulatory shifts, rapid market expansion and evolving clinical evidence. Here are three major trends to watch: Resource: 3 trends shaping the GLP-1 landscape

Alabama Among States Facing Growth in New Cancer Cases: 2026 Projections

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Approximately 2.1 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed nationwide in 2026, according to the American Cancer Society. Using 2022 state-level incidence data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 2026 projections from ACS, several states are expected to see significant increases in new diagnoses. Here’s a snapshot for Alabama: While some states are projected to see percentage increases of 20% or more, larger states such as Florida and Texas are…
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The 43 medications on TrumpRx: What to Know

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TrumpRx.gov currently lists 43 brand-name medications available through manufacturer-run cash discount programs aimed primarily at uninsured patients or those without drug coverage. Here’s a quick breakdown: Providers and patients should review the full medication list and pricing details (linked below) to determine whether TrumpRx offers meaningful savings for specific therapies. Resource: The 43 medications on TrumpRx

Another Win for GLP-1s and Cancer Risk: 5 Key Study Notes

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A study published February 10 in JAMA Network Open found that women with endometrial hyperplasia or benign uterine pathology who were treated with GLP-1 therapy plus progestins had a 66% lower risk of developing endometrial cancer compared to those treated with progestins alone. Researchers analyzed TriNetX data spanning 2005–2022 to evaluate cancer and hysterectomy outcomes across multiple treatment pathways. Here are five important takeaways: Providers should review the full study (linked below) to better understand…
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