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New study analyzes generalist versus subspecialty characteristics of U.S. radiologist workforce

A new study by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute analyzes the generalist versus subspecialty characteristics of the U.S. radiologist workforce in the Medicare population from 2012–2014. The study is published online in Radiology.

30 Nov 2017

Straight from the patient’s mouth: Videos can clearly state your end-of-life wishes

For years, Wendy Forman, considered how to make her wishes known if she became horribly ill and couldn't speak for herself.

30 Nov 2017

More doctors in the U.S. now focus on nursing home care, study finds

The number of doctors and advance practitioners in the United States who focus on nursing home care rose by more than a third between 2012 and 2015, according to a new study published today in JAMA from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

29 Nov 2017

Older adults do not get enough help to make sure multiple drugs mix safely, new poll finds

Most older Americans take multiple medicines every day. But a new poll suggests they don't get – or seek – enough help to make sure those medicines actually mix safely.

29 Nov 2017

Doctors make big money testing urine for drugs, then ignore abnormal results

In April 2014, state and federal drug agents raided Jeffrey Campbell's medical clinic in Jeffersonville, Ind. Police cars blocked the parking lot as bewildered patients scattered and the agents carted off boxes of records from the doctor's office.

29 Nov 2017

Heated and deep-pocketed battle erupts over 340B drug discount program

A 25-year-old federal drug discount program has grown so big and controversial that it faces a fight for survival as federal officials and lawmakers furiously debate the program's reach.

28 Nov 2017

Surprise ambulance bills: A consumer’s guide

When the ambulance service that picks you up is out-of-network, your insurer pays what it considers fair. And then — surprise! — the ambulance service sends you a bill for the rest.

27 Nov 2017

Research shows major shift in eye surgeries from hospitals to ambulatory surgery centers

National data shows a major shift in eye surgeries from hospitals to less expensive ambulatory surgery centers where care may be delivered faster and closer to home for some patients.

22 Nov 2017

This Thanksgiving, carve out time for lively discourse on end-of-life wishes

The roast turkey and pecan pie may be the same as always, but growing numbers of families plan to add a tradition to their Thanksgiving holiday this week: a frank talk about their wishes for end-of-life care.

22 Nov 2017

Problems with your hospital care? Speak up!

My dad was in excruciating pain over Labor Day weekend, so my mom rushed him to the emergency room of a renowned university hospital.

22 Nov 2017

Massachusetts grabs spotlight by proposing new twist on Medicaid drug coverage

In the absence of new federal policies to tame break-the-bank drug prices, Massachusetts’ state Medicaid program hopes to road-test an idea both radical and market-driven. It wants the power to negotiate discounts for the drugs it purchases and to exclude drugs with limited treatment value.

21 Nov 2017

Displaced Puerto Ricans face obstacles getting health care

The federal government has granted people affected by the devastating hurricanes that wracked coastal states and Puerto Rico 15 extra days to sign up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

21 Nov 2017

Most older Americans prefer to actively participate in medical decision making

Although most older Americans prefer to actively participate in making health care decisions, those with four or more chronic conditions are less likely to prefer active decision making.

21 Nov 2017

Study: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants linked to reduced kidney risks

Mayo Clinic researchers have shown a link between which type of oral anticoagulant (blood-thinning medication) a patient takes to prevent a stroke and increased risks of kidney function decline or failure.

20 Nov 2017

Canadians root for an underdog U.S. health policy idea

Ask people in Canada what they make of American health care, and the answer typically falls between bewilderment and outrage.

20 Nov 2017

Podcast: ‘What the Health?’ Tax bill or health bill?

Republican efforts to alter the health law, left for dead in September, came roaring back to life this week as the Senate Finance Committee added a repeal of the "individual mandate" fines for not maintaining health insurance to their tax bill.

17 Nov 2017

Medicaid expansion takes a bite out of medical debt

As the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress look to scale back Medicaid, many voters and state lawmakers across the country are moving to make it bigger.

17 Nov 2017

Medicare seeks comment on ways to cut costs of Part D drugs

Noting that the true price of a drug is often hidden from consumers, Medicare officials requested comments late Thursday on how to use discounts and rebates to help decrease what enrollees pay for prescriptions.

16 Nov 2017

Tax reform proposal could impact care for older Americans

Earlier this week, the Congressional Budget Office advised members of Congress that the U.S. House of Representative's tax reform bill (the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," or H.R. 1) would result in automatic cuts to key federal programs, including a $25 billion cut to the Medicare program in 2018 as a result of existing Congressional "pay-go" rules.

16 Nov 2017

California firm running physician practices is closing down as scrutiny ramps up

SynerMed, a company that manages physician practices serving hundreds of thousands of Medicaid and Medicare patients across California, is planning to shut down amid scrutiny from state regulators and health insurers.

15 Nov 2017