Healthcare and Insurance


Southern Missouri diagnostic lab ceases operations

A Southern Missouri diagnostic lab has ceased operations after having its lab certifications pulled by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Prior to closing, Gamma Healthcare Inc. in Poplar Bluff, Mo. provided laboratory and radiology services for hundreds… more

Two Kansas City metro hospitals face maximum Medicare payment cut

Most hospitals evaluated for the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program will face a Medicare payment cut in fiscal year 2021. Cuts range from 0.01 percent to 3 percent, the maximum payment slash to affect two hospitals in the metro in both… more

GuideWell signs agreement with Leawood health organization, to acquire all interests from Blue KC

GuideWell, the parent company of Florida Blue, signed an agreement Nov. 2 to become a majority shareholder in New Directions Behavioral Health, a managed mental health organization based in Leawood, Kan. Under the transaction, GuideWell will acquire all interests from Blue Cross… more

Coping with COVID: Washington University seeking recruits as it begins phase 3 of vaccine trial

Used as a testing site for a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is seeking recruitments for phase 3 of the trial vaccine. The School… more

Gating criteria changes for Johnson County schools

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment has changed its gating criteria recommendation for schools from “Orange” to “Red.” The change came Tuesday after the county reported 2,260 new cases in the last 14 days and 15,430 cases overall… more

Former Cushing Hospital in Leavenworth donated to county by health system

The building that housed Saint Luke’s Cushing Hospital is no longer receiving patients, though its recent donation by Saint Luke’s Health System will help keep it running. On Wednesday, October 28, the Leavenworth County Board of County Commissioners formally accepted… more

Longtime Cerner executive to step down

Marc Naughton, last executive member at Cerner Corp. to serve under co-founder and former CEO Neal Patterson, is set to leave next year, according to an announcement from the company this week. After 28 years at Cerner Corp. and the… more

Johnson County health officials recommend cancellation of indoor winter sports

Health officials in Johnson County are urging school districts not to allow indoor winter sports, such as basketball and wrestling, where COVID-19 mitigation techniques aren’t possible. In a letter sent to superintendents throughout the county, Health Department Director Dr. Sanmi… more

Rapid COVID-19 testing to be available at 1,000 CVS pharmacies by end of year

CVS Health plans to add rapid COVID-19 testing at 1,000 pharmacies by the end of the year, according a Wednesday news release from the company. The sites will offer a self-swab test that takes about 30 minutes to deliver results, and… more

VA begins deployment of Cerner EHR system

The beginning of a nationwide electronic health record (EHR) system launch for has begun this week for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A Veterans Affairs (VA) center in Washington state is the first to begin the transition from its… more