Stryker Orthopaedics, a producer of artificial hip implants, has reached a settlement with thousands of patient lawsuits involving the now-recalled all-metal devices for about $1 billion, according to The New York Times.

Researchers are suggesting that giving Americans a sense of purpose can help reduce U.S. healthcare costs, according to Los Angeles Times.

Dignity Health, a Northern California hospital chain, agreed to pay $37 million to settle allegations that it overcharged the federal Medicare program, reports San Jose Mercury News. 

Physicians are limiting how many new ACA-insured patients they are taking as exchange plans often have lower reimbursement rates, reports USA Today.  

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--Truven Health Analytics™ today announced an agreement with Cerner Corporation, a leading provider of health information and electronic health record (EHR) systems, to resell its Micromedex® CareNotes® product, a part of the Patient Connect Suite of patient and consumer education and engagement solutions.

Corporate wellness programs can return as high as $3 for every $1 invested, as they are linked to reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and higher job satisfaction, according to a Huffington Post blog.

Medical costs are up to 20 percent higher at hospital-owned physician groups, according to Los Angeles Times. 

CVS Health is using its tobacco-free policy as a way to one-up rivals. The chain's pharmacy benefits unit is offering a prescription-drug plan that charges patients more if they buy their meds at drugstores that sell tobacco products, according to Wall Street Journal.