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Author: Lauren Brown

Measles Cases Rise in Utah, Signaling Continued Outbreak Risk

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A growing measles outbreak in Utah is drawing increased attention as case counts continue to climb, making it one of the latest hotspots in the U.S. Health officials reported 46 new cases in one week, bringing the total to 464 cases since August 2025, with the outbreak initially linked to cross-border spread from Arizona. The situation has escalated following large community events, including a high school wrestling championship that may have contributed to wider transmission….
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2026 MIPS MVP Registration Now Open: What Providers Need to Know

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Registration is now open for the 2026 performance year of MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Quality Payment Program (QPP), allowing eligible clinicians and organizations to prepare for participation. Registration Overview The registration window is open through November 30, 2026 (8 p.m. ET) and applies to individuals, groups, subgroups, and Alternative Payment Model (APM) Entities. To complete registration, users must access the QPP system using a HARP account and…
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Medicare Advantage in 2026: 8 Numbers Providers Should Watch

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New insights from organizations like the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services highlight both growth and ongoing debate around Medicare Advantage (MA) as the program continues to evolve. Here are eight key numbers shaping the MA landscape in 2026: Together, these figures paint a picture of a program that is still expanding, but facing increased scrutiny around costs, stability, and measurement. For providers, staying informed on these shifts will…
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Physician Pay Is Evolving: Blended Compensation Models on the Rise

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A new report from the American Medical Association highlights a continued shift in how physicians are compensated, with more providers receiving income from multiple sources rather than relying on salary alone. How Physician Income Is Structured: 2024 Breakdown (per $100): 2014 Comparison (per $100): The data shows that while salary remains the foundation of physician pay, organizations are increasingly layering in incentives tied to productivity, performance, and financial outcomes. For healthcare leaders, this trend reflects…
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Emerging “Cicada” COVID-19 Variant Highlights Importance of Ongoing Surveillance

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A newly identified COVID-19 variant—referred to as “Cicada”—is being tracked across a growing number of U.S. states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the variant currently represents a small share of domestic cases, its presence is increasing and drawing attention from public health officials. At this stage, there is no indication that the variant is driving widespread surges in the U.S., but its growth internationally underscores the importance of continued monitoring…
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Southeast Population Growth Signals New Opportunities and Pressures for Healthcare Providers

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Recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that although overall U.S. population growth is slowing, several metro areas—especially across the Southeast—are expanding at a significantly faster pace. This ongoing shift toward smaller and mid-sized markets is reshaping where and how healthcare services are needed. Much of the slowdown is tied to declining international migration, while domestic migration continues to favor less densely populated areas over major urban centers. For healthcare providers, these changes are…
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Final Reminder: 2025 QPP Data Submission Deadline Is March 31

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Time is running out for clinicians participating in the Quality Payment Program—the 2025 performance year data submission period closes tomorrow, March 31, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET. Providers should ensure all required data has been submitted or reviewed through the QPP portal, including any information reported by third parties. Once the deadline passes, no corrections can be made, making it critical to verify accuracy before final submission. To complete the process, users must log in…
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Federal Judge Allows Medicare Advantage Kickback Lawsuit to Proceed

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A federal judge has ruled that a high-profile lawsuit involving major insurers—including Aetna, Elevance Health, and Humana—can move forward, rejecting efforts to dismiss allegations of improper broker payments tied to Medicare Advantage plans. The case, brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, builds on a whistleblower complaint and claims that insurers paid brokers substantial sums to steer beneficiaries toward their plans between 2016 and 2021. The lawsuit also includes brokers such as GoHealth, SelectQuote, and…
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FDA Warns of Seizure Risk Linked to Common Parkinson’s Medications

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a new safety communication highlighting a potential seizure risk associated with certain Parkinson’s treatments, specifically medications containing carbidopa/levodopa. According to the agency, this risk is tied to vitamin B6 deficiency, which can occur in patients taking these medications and, in rare cases, lead to seizures. As a result, the FDA is requiring manufacturers to update prescribing information with clearer warnings about this potential side effect. The updated…
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FDA Issues Warning Over Misleading Claims About Cancer Drug Anktiva

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning letter to ImmunityBio and its founder, Patrick Soon-Shiong, regarding promotional statements made about the cancer drug Anktiva. According to regulators, comments made in a podcast and television advertisement suggested the drug could treat, cure, or even prevent multiple types of cancer—claims the FDA says are misleading and not supported by current approvals. While Anktiva received FDA approval in 2024 for a specific type of bladder…
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Maryland Cracks Down on Cigna’s Automatic Downcoding Policy

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The Maryland Insurance Administration has fined Cigna $80,000 and ordered the insurer to halt its use of automatic downcoding for certain evaluation and management (E/M) claims, citing violations of state law and concerns over payment delays. Cigna’s policy allowed adjustments to higher-level E/M codes—such as 99204–99205, 99214–99215, and 99244–99245—if documentation did not meet specific complexity criteria. However, regulators determined that instead of automatically reducing claim levels, insurers must formally dispute questionable claims and request additional…
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Severe Infections in Older Adults Linked to Increased Dementia Risk

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New research published in PLOS Medicine suggests that serious infections in older adults may play a more direct role in the development of dementia than previously understood. The study found that conditions such as Urinary tract infection and other bacterial infections requiring hospital treatment were associated with a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. Analyzing decades of health data, researchers identified multiple conditions linked to increased dementia risk—but notably, infections remained a significant…
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