Healthcare and Insurance

Coping with COVID: Missouri, Kansas vaccination distribution plans to serve healthcare workers first

Established statewide plans for how the first COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed reveals healthcare workers will be the first to receive the shot, both in Missouri and Kansas. Although a viable COVID-19 vaccine has not yet been released to the… more

Coping with COVID: Moderna prepares to apply for FDA authorization of COVID-19 vaccine today

Following the lead of Pfizer, Moderna will now be the second company to submit its COVID-19 vaccine for approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Massachusetts-based biotechnology company has since finished its Phase 3 trials and said it… more

Demand for COVID-19 testing doubles at KU lab

A Monday Media briefing from the University of Kansas Health System revealed a non-surprising trend descending on its facilities and others in the region, reporting a new record number of COVID-19 patients are being treated at KU. The health system… more

EHR platform provides free telehealth to rural residents

Rural hospitals and residents are facing a problem few people living in urban and suburban areas experience: ready access to healthcare. While COVID-19 has made travel and in-person appointments more difficult, emerging tech-based solutions and a growing popularity in telehealth… more

Missouri launches website in preparation for vaccine arrival

As research and development of multiple COVID-19 vaccines continue to show promising safety and effectiveness findings, Governor Mike Parson today announced the launch of a new vaccine website for Missouri residents.  MOStopsCOVID.com provides Missourians with information regarding the safety of the… more

Regional hospitals experience resource strain

Earlier this week, two regional hospital systems saw a new record high in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients being treated at their facilities. Stormont Vail Health reached 100 COVID-19 patients Tuesday according to its COVID-19 Scorecard, following just a… more

Stormont Vail seeks emergency staffing, resources from state

Topeka’s Stormont Vail said they have requested emergency staffing assistance from the state, as the surge in COVID-19 cases in the community continues to impact its health care workers. Matt Lara, Public Relations Specialist for the hospital said, “Stormont Vail… more

Coping with COVID: TMC/ University Health among first in metro to use FDA-approved COVID-19 drug

Truman Medical Center/University Health has confirmed that's it among the first health care providers in the Kansas City area to administer bamlanivimab. Authorization for the drug was approved for those with a mild to moderate case of COVID-19 and aims… more

Missouri department recommends rate increase for workers’ compensation

The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance is recommending a 1.0 percent increase in workers’ compensation insurance loss costs for 2021. This marks the first time in six years that average workers’ compensation rates will increase. This slight increase is… more

Shawnee commission discusses proposed new health facility

Shawnee, Kan. may soon see a new mental health facility at the corner of Hilltop and Midland Drive. A building located at 6815 Hilltop Road is being proposed as the site for Anew Health, a short-term mental health facility that… more