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Study finds ER price gouging to be worst for minorities and uninsured patients

An analysis of billing records for more than 12,000 emergency medicine doctors across the United States shows that charges varied widely, but that on average, adult patients are charged 340 percent more than what Medicare pays for services ranging from suturing a wound to interpreting a head CT scan.

30 May 2017

Drug rebates reward industry players — and often hurt patients

Medicare and its beneficiaries aren't the winners in the behind-the-scenes rebate game played by drugmakers, health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, according to a paper published Tuesday in JAMA Internal Medicine.

30 May 2017

Target of Medicare insider trading case boasted he was unstoppable ‘beast’

In his prime, consultant David Blaszczak bragged that he made millions for his hedge-fund clients when he predicted important Medicare funding changes.

30 May 2017

Prolaris becomes first genetic test to receive Medicare coverage for favorable intermediate and low-risk prostate cancer

Myriad Genetics, Inc., a leader in molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine, today announced that Palmetto GBA, a Medicare Administrative Contractor that assesses molecular diagnostic technologies, has issued a positive final Local Coverage Determination to expand Medicare coverage of the Prolaris test.

29 May 2017

Aggressive care in final days of life for advanced cancer patients not linked to better outcomes

For patients with advanced cancer, aggressive care -- chemotherapy, mechanical ventilation, acute hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions -- at the end of life is commonplace.

25 May 2017

Interpretation of initial ED ultrasound by radiologist reduces follow-up imaging

According to a study presented at the American College of Radiology annual meeting, the use of follow-up imaging is significantly less when initial emergency department ultrasound examinations are interpreted by a radiologist than a nonradiologist.

23 May 2017

Researchers shed light on variations in care and complications across bariatric surgery centers

Every year, nearly 200,000 Americans turn to surgeons for help with their obesity, seeking bariatric surgery to lose weight and prevent life-threatening health problems.

23 May 2017

Practical clinical trials in pain management can help improve patient function, lower misuse of opioids

Pressures on primary care doctors to move away from opioid pain management are increasing, but practitioners need practical, evidence-based information on how to employ multidisciplinary pain care successfully in everyday clinical practice.

22 May 2017

Study: Antibiotic therapy does not work for nearly one in four adults with community-acquired pneumonia

Approximately one in four (22.1 percent) adults prescribed an antibiotic in an outpatient setting (such as a doctor's office) for community-acquired pneumonia does not respond to treatment, according to a new study presented at the 2017 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

22 May 2017

Overcrowded emergency rooms may delay sepsis treatment, study reveals

According to a new study, patients with sepsis, a life-threatening complication of an infection, had delays approaching one hour in being given antibiotics when seen in emergency rooms that were overcrowded. The study was presented at the 2017 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

22 May 2017

New study shows way to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections

They're a double-edged sword for nursing home residents and staff – making it easier and safer to handle a basic bodily function, but putting frail patients in danger of infections that can lead to confusion, falls and death.

22 May 2017

Laparoscopic gastric band surgery linked to high reoperation rates and costs

Among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery, reoperation was common, costly, and varied widely across hospital referral regions, according to a study published by JAMA Surgery.

17 May 2017

Study finds higher mortality rates among patients treated by older physicians

Patients treated by older hospital-based internists known as hospitalists are somewhat more likely to die within a month of admission than those treated by younger physicians, according to the results of a study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

17 May 2017

Thyroid cancer surgery complications higher than previously thought, study suggests

As thyroid cancer rates rise, more people are having surgery to remove all or part of their thyroid. A new study suggests complications from these procedures are more common than previously believed.

16 May 2017

Research finds that only few women receive long-lasting contraception due to poor access

Before leaving the hospital after childbirth, more women are opting to check one thing off their list: birth control.

10 May 2017

Personalized music may benefit seniors with dementia living in nursing homes

Across the country, nursing home employees and families are trying personalized music playlists to help seniors cope with the disorienting, anxious experience of living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

10 May 2017

Republican congressmen send fiery response to HHS

Two influential Republican congressmen are blasting a Department of Health and Human Services memo to division heads as a "potentially illegal and unconstitutional" infringement on whistleblowers' rights to call attention to waste, fraud and abuse in the executive branch.

9 May 2017

Social smokers' risk for high blood pressure and cholesterol is identical to regular users, study finds

Social smokers' risk for high blood pressure and high cholesterol is identical to those who light up every day, new research has found.

3 May 2017

Biologics prescribers collaborative releases new white paper: The State of Biosimilars Policy

The Biologics Prescribers Collaborative (BPC), a project of the Alliance for Patient Access, released a new white paper, “The State of Biosimilars Policy.” The paper is released in conjunction with a congressional briefing on Capitol Hill where experts will discuss the current biosimilars policy framework and its impact on prescribing, reimbursement and use.

3 May 2017

Study finds uneven distribution of telemedicine services for mental health in rural areas

Newly published research by Harvard Medical School and the RAND Corporation reveals a dramatic growth in the use of telemedicine for the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders in rural areas, but strikingly uneven distribution of services across states.

2 May 2017

Medicare News and Research

Study finds ER price gouging to be worst for minorities and uninsured patients

Drug rebates reward industry players — and often hurt patients

Target of Medicare insider trading case boasted he was unstoppable ‘beast’

Prolaris becomes first genetic test to receive Medicare coverage for favorable intermediate and low-risk prostate cancer

Aggressive care in final days of life for advanced cancer patients not linked to better outcomes

Interpretation of initial ED ultrasound by radiologist reduces follow-up imaging

Researchers shed light on variations in care and complications across bariatric surgery centers

Practical clinical trials in pain management can help improve patient function, lower misuse of opioids

Study: Antibiotic therapy does not work for nearly one in four adults with community-acquired pneumonia

Overcrowded emergency rooms may delay sepsis treatment, study reveals

New study shows way to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections

Laparoscopic gastric band surgery linked to high reoperation rates and costs

Study finds higher mortality rates among patients treated by older physicians

Thyroid cancer surgery complications higher than previously thought, study suggests

Research finds that only few women receive long-lasting contraception due to poor access

Personalized music may benefit seniors with dementia living in nursing homes

Republican congressmen send fiery response to HHS

Social smokers' risk for high blood pressure and cholesterol is identical to regular users, study finds

Biologics prescribers collaborative releases new white paper: The State of Biosimilars Policy

Study finds uneven distribution of telemedicine services for mental health in rural areas

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