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ACR expresses its continuing concern with recent CMS policy

In comments submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the American College of Rheumatology expressed its continuing concern with a recent CMS policy allowing Medicare Advantage plans to utilize step therapy for Part B drugs.

25 Jan 2019

Global task force of bone health experts question effectiveness of spinal fusion procedures

There is little to no evidence that two surgical procedures used to fuse crumbled vertebrae following a spinal fracture caused by osteoporosis reduce pain for patients any better than non-surgical or placebo procedures, according to a new report from a global task force of bone health experts published today in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

24 Jan 2019

Free screening for lung cancer can save money while building healthy relationship with patients

A free, simple screening for lung cancer can save a patient money, while building a healthy relationship for any medical needs they may have in the future.

24 Jan 2019

Trump zeroes in on surprise medical bills in White House chat with patients, experts

President Donald Trump on Wednesday instructed administration officials to investigate how to prevent surprise medical bills, broadening his focus on drug prices to include other issues of price transparency in health care.

23 Jan 2019

County by county, researchers link opioid deaths to drugmakers’ marketing

Researchers sketched a vivid line Friday linking the dollars spent by drugmakers to woo doctors around the country to a vast opioid epidemic that has led to tens of thousands of deaths.

18 Jan 2019

Hospitalizations may be major risk factor for increased cognitive decline in older adults

Emergency and urgent hospitalizations are associated with an increased rate of cognitive decline in older adults, report researchers at Rush University Medical Center.

11 Jan 2019

Regenstrief scientist visits CMS to create access to better care for Americans with dementia

A Regenstrief scientist is calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to create access to better care for the 20 million Americans affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias - both patients and their caregivers.

11 Jan 2019

Health care industry spends $30b a year pushing its wares, from drugs to stem cell treatment

Hoping to earn its share of the $3.5 trillion health care market, the medical industry is pouring more money than ever into advertising its products — from high-priced prescriptions to do-it-yourself genetic tests and unapproved stem cell treatments.

8 Jan 2019

Hearing challenges still reported by high proportion of older people with hearing aids

A high proportion of older people with hearing aids, especially those with lower incomes, report having trouble hearing and difficulty accessing hearing care services, according to a study from researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

7 Jan 2019

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What the Health?’ Ask us anything!

This week, KHN's "What the Health?" panelists answered questions submitted by listeners.

3 Jan 2019

Court decision to stop further cuts in 340B reimbursements protects patient care

The Dec. 27 federal court injunction stopping further cuts in 340B reimbursements for Medicare Part B drugs to some participating hospitals is a critical step in preserving the role that academic health centers play in providing HIV, viral hepatitis, and other infectious disease treatment and prevention services to patients who otherwise lack care options.

2 Jan 2019

En route to Congress, California Democrats hit wall on ‘Medicare-for-all’

Each of the seven California Democrats who flipped Republican congressional seats in the midterm election campaigned for more government-funded health care — with most of them calling for a complete government takeover.

2 Jan 2019

Study: People over age 65 diagnosed with heart failure can have moderate levels of alcohol

A new study suggests that people over age 65 who are newly diagnosed with heart failure can continue to drink moderate amounts of alcohol without worsening their condition.

31 Dec 2018

Insured but still in debt: 5 jobs pulling in $100k a year no match for medical bills

Robert and Tiffany Cano of San Tan Valley, Ariz., have a new marriage, a new house and a 10-month-old son, Brody, who is delighted by his ability to blow raspberries.

28 Dec 2018

Researchers discover extent of opioid use and abuse in head and neck cancer patients

Cancer patients are often prescribed pain medications, for example during recovery from surgical procedures. However, for many cancer patients, the use of opioid pain medications during treatment can be a gateway to misuse or addiction once treatment ends.

27 Dec 2018

Implementation of HRRP program associated with increased mortality after discharge

The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) was created under the Affordable Care Act and hospitals face financial penalties for higher-than-expected 30-day readmission rates for patients with heart failure, heart attack and pneumonia.

24 Dec 2018

Risk of heart attack and stroke is high in the months before cancer diagnosis, shows study

Older adults with cancer are more likely to have had a heart attack or stroke in the months prior to their cancer diagnosis compared with similar adults who do not have cancer during the same period, according to a report published online today in Blood. Lung and colon cancers, as well as advanced-staged cancers, appear to be most strongly associated with an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke caused by blood clots in the arteries.

24 Dec 2018

Hospital readmission reduction program associated with increase in post-discharge mortality

A policy designed to reduce hospital readmissions through financial penalties was associated with a significant increase in post-discharge mortality for patients with heart failure and pneumonia, according to a large-scale study by researchers in Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology.

21 Dec 2018

Massachusetts stroke patient receives ‘outrageous’ $474,725 medical flight bill

Kristina Cunningham was in stable condition on an evening in June, when EMTs lifted her gurney into a medical flight, bound for Boston.

21 Dec 2018

Study examines performance of skilled nursing care residents with cognitive difficulties

After a hospital stay, many older adults will be discharged to a skilled nursing facility to recover. The goal of this type of short-term nursing care is to help patients regain their ability to function and perform their daily activities to the best of their ability so they can return home, if possible.

21 Dec 2018

Medicare News and Research

ACR expresses its continuing concern with recent CMS policy

Global task force of bone health experts question effectiveness of spinal fusion procedures

Free screening for lung cancer can save money while building healthy relationship with patients

Trump zeroes in on surprise medical bills in White House chat with patients, experts

County by county, researchers link opioid deaths to drugmakers’ marketing

Hospitalizations may be major risk factor for increased cognitive decline in older adults

Regenstrief scientist visits CMS to create access to better care for Americans with dementia

Health care industry spends $30b a year pushing its wares, from drugs to stem cell treatment

Hearing challenges still reported by high proportion of older people with hearing aids

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What the Health?’ Ask us anything!

Court decision to stop further cuts in 340B reimbursements protects patient care

En route to Congress, California Democrats hit wall on ‘Medicare-for-all’

Study: People over age 65 diagnosed with heart failure can have moderate levels of alcohol

Insured but still in debt: 5 jobs pulling in $100k a year no match for medical bills

Researchers discover extent of opioid use and abuse in head and neck cancer patients

Implementation of HRRP program associated with increased mortality after discharge

Risk of heart attack and stroke is high in the months before cancer diagnosis, shows study

Hospital readmission reduction program associated with increase in post-discharge mortality

Massachusetts stroke patient receives ‘outrageous’ $474,725 medical flight bill

Study examines performance of skilled nursing care residents with cognitive difficulties

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