Latest news with #healthcareservices
Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Acadia Healthcare Announces Date for Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release
Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACHC) today announced that it will release its second quarter 2025 results on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, after the close of the market. Acadia will conduct a conference call with institutional investors and analysts at 9:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available at in the 'Investors' section of the website. The webcast of the conference call will be available for 30 days. About Acadia Healthcare Acadia is a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services across the United States. As of March 31, 2025, Acadia operated a network of 270 behavioral healthcare facilities with approximately 12,000 beds in 39 states and Puerto Rico. With approximately 25,500 employees serving more than 82,000 patients daily, Acadia is the largest stand-alone behavioral healthcare company in the U.S. Acadia provides behavioral healthcare services to its patients in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, specialty treatment facilities, residential treatment centers and outpatient clinics.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Here's why 3 rural Wisconsin hospitals are deemed 'at-risk' of closing
Three rural hospitals in Wisconsin are defined as "at-risk" of closing, according to a reputable center for health services research. The list of the rural hospitals from each state was released after U.S. senators requested the information from the center and then attached it in a letter to President Donald Trump, among others. Here are the hospitals named in Wisconsin and why they are in the limelight. A rural hospital is labeled as at risk when it meets one or both of two criteria, according to the documents: the hospital is in the top 10% Medicaid payer mix of rural hospitals across the country, and that the hospital has experienced three consecutive years of negative total margin. Here are the three hospitals deemed at-risk in Wisconsin: Holy Family Memorial MCHS Oakridge Aspirus Stanley Hospital More: Meet Dr. Dolly Paw-ton: Facility dog helps patients at Marshfield Children's Hospital The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research is part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The center, according to their site, seeks to improve the health of individuals, families, and populations by understanding the problems, issues, and alternatives in the design and delivery of health care services. More: Manitowoc's Aurora Medical Center earns 4th straight 'Rural and Community Health' honor U.S. Sens Edward J. Markey, Ron Wyden, Jeffrey A. Merkley, and Charles E. Schumer wrote to President Trump, Majority Leader John Thune, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in response to the reconciliation package that ultimately Trump signed on the Fourth of July. They sent the letter on June 12. The senators argued that the health care cuts could impact vulnerable, rural hospitals. "Enacting these drastic health care cuts that will kick millions of people off their health insurance coverage, rural hospitals will not get paid for the services they are required by law to provide to patients," authors wrote, adding that the hospitals will face "deeper financial strain that could lead to negative health outcomes for the communities they serve." More: Derrick Van Orden claims credit for Wisconsin's extra Medicaid dollars after voting to cut the program The bill, now signed into law, is projected to cut $1 trillion mostly from Medicaid and Affordable Care Act insurance plans and eliminate insurance coverage for 11.8 million people over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, as reported by USA Today. About one in five Wisconsinites are covered by Medicaid. Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@ This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Cuts to Medicaid could lead to 3 Wisconsin hospitals closing
LBCI
04-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
PM Salam tours social assistance centers, reaffirms commitment to social justice
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam conducted a field tour on Friday alongside Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed to assess the implementation of the national social protection program 'AMAN.' In a post on X, Salam said he visited centers in Corniche Al-Mazraa and Bourj Hammoud, where he met with several beneficiary families and reviewed the mechanisms used to deliver financial aid, as well as accompanying healthcare and social services. He also toured the program's complaint reception center in Badaro. Salam reaffirmed the government's commitment to building a comprehensive social protection system, stating that the ultimate goal is to preserve citizens' dignity. He stressed, 'There can be no stability without social justice.'
Zawya
13-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
The future of medical schemes depends on technology, trust and transformation
In an era where technology advances are transforming every aspect of our lives, accessing information about healthcare should be just as seamless and efficient. The complexities of dealing with a medical scheme can seem daunting, and technology can significantly reduce these complexities and improve access to the right information at the right time – imagine effortlessly managing your healthcare needs online, much like booking travel or managing your finances. Kevin Aron, principal officer at Medshield Medical Scheme We understand that medical aid members want clear, simple, and fast access to their benefits. They want to feel supported when they are unwell and before problems start, and most importantly, they want options that match their digital or face-to-face preferences. Improving efficiency while enhancing the member experience Most members contribute a significant portion of their monthly budget to their medical scheme. It's only fair that those contributions are used efficiently. The less we spend on administration, the more we can direct toward members' healthcare services. That's why Medshield has invested in digital systems that reduce costs and streamline operations. We have automated processes that integrate with communication channels and other digital tools to improve processing and overall efficiency. This allows us more time to focus on what matters most: caring for our members. Medshield members now have more ways to engage with the Scheme beyond traditional phone calls or email correspondence. Our member mobile app and WhatsApp service channel allow members to access important information and services at their convenience 24/7. We launched our enhanced Medshield member app at the end of last year, which resulted in a 20% increase in usage. We are continuously monitoring the uptake to ensure long-term value. Many members continue to supplement app use with calls to our call centre, suggesting that confidence in digital-only services is still developing. Current development priorities include improving app functionality for automated hospital authorisations and chronic medication approvals. For example, members could input procedure reasons directly into the app, reducing the need to phone the contact centre. It has the potential to simplify a currently manual process. In addition, Medshield is exploring further digital service enhancements. Predicting and managing clinical risk Beyond operational and access improvements, Medshield proactively uses technology to manage clinical risk. By applying artificial intelligence and predictive modelling with clinical biomarkers, the Scheme identifies members who may be at risk of hospital admission within the next three to six months. Once these members are identified, the Scheme provides clinical support, including clinical coaching or referral to a general practitioner or specialist. The goal is to prevent unwarranted admissions, reduce the need for emergency care, and improve health outcomes for our members and their families. Technology is also being used to identify members likely to be readmitted post-discharge, for example, due to wound infections. Early engagement helps to identify clinical risk, prevent complications and avoid unnecessary re-hospitalisation. In addition, Medshield is piloting facial scan technology that can analyse up to 20 clinical health parameters from a person's facial image. Medshield is utilising this as a mass digital health screening tool to direct members to appropriate care to reduce high-cost episodes and to support earlier intervention. Behaviour change and lifestyle health Lifestyle-related diseases remain one of the most significant cost drivers for medical schemes. Conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are closely linked to behaviours such as inactivity, poor diet, and unmanaged stress. Medshield is working to address this through behaviour change programmes like Medshield Mind and Medshield Movement. These initiatives support members with educational materials, coaching, and practical advice for managing their health, including child and family-focused interventions. One proof of concept currently underway has shown that members living with type 2 diabetes can reduce or stop medication with consistent lifestyle improvements while under medical supervision. This programme aims to empower members to improve their quality of life. Interventions are tailored based on a member's clinical risk profile, ranging from low-touch digital education to personalised nurse coaching. Due to current regulations under the Medical Schemes Act, the Scheme cannot offer financial incentives for improved health outcomes. However, behaviour change remains a key focus area in chronic disease management. Remaining accessible beyond digital tools Although the demand for access to digital channels continues to increase, many members still prefer to meet in person. Medshield has made enhancements to our regional offices and walk-in centres and recently relocated our Cape Town and Durban branches after conducting a survey and engaging with members to understand their needs. Looking ahead, the Scheme is reviewing its benefit design for the 2026 cycle with a strong focus on prevention. With one of the highest solvency ratios in the industry, Medshield is well-positioned to consider enhancements to its preventative benefits while aiming to limit contribution increases. Additional efforts are focused on predicting avoidable healthcare episodes and ensuring members are guided toward appropriate care earlier in their treatment journey. In today's healthcare environment, members want more than just cover. They want easy access to support, whether online or in person, which helps them stay healthier for longer. Medshield adapts to these changing needs by using innovative technology, enhancing day-to-day processes, and proactively addressing health issues before they escalate. It's about making healthcare work better for real people in real life.
