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Acacia Pharma reports positive results from APD421 Phase 3 studies for management of PONV

Acacia Pharma announces positive Phase 3 results with APD421 for the management of post-operative nausea & vomiting (PONV). The data generated demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of PONV with APD421 compared to placebo in adult surgical patients at moderate to high risk of suffering PONV (PONV is defined as any episode of emesis or use of antiemetic rescue medication in the first 24 hours after surgery).

7 Oct 2014

State highlights: Ohio Medicaid and senior annuities; Mich. extends Medicaid dental coverage for kids

A war is being waged in Ohio over whether elderly couples with one person in a nursing home can buy an annuity to keep the other from going broke -- and still apply for public assistance. Elder-law attorneys say the state isn't following federal laws regarding Medicaid-compliant annuities, and that's hurting middle-class seniors who worked hard and saved for a rainy day. Several courts seem to agree, with one judge recently putting the state on notice that it could lose millions of dollars in federal funding if it doesn't change its ways (Pyle, 10/6).

7 Oct 2014

New study finds geographic variation in use of laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer patients

Where patients live in the country may determine whether they receive minimally invasive colon cancer surgery.

7 Oct 2014

Medicare open enrollment brings lots of choices

For millions of older Americans, it is time to sift through the mind-boggling array of Medicare plans. There is an average of 29 drug plans to digest, and about 18 options for Medicare Advantage, the plans delivered through private insurers. Then there are the 10 supplemental plans that cover what traditional Medicare does not. The choices can be paralyzing for anyone, and they can be even more challenging as you age. ... Here are some ideas on how to approach the decision-making process (Bernard, 10/3).

7 Oct 2014

Many nursing homes still lack fire sprinklers

More than 50,000 people are living in nursing homes without adequate fire sprinkler systems, a year after the deadline set by the federal government, according to The Associated Press. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal looks at lawyers who specialize in suing for-profit nursing homes for abuse and neglect.

7 Oct 2014

Calif. won't challenge 2015 rate increases

The state's regulators didn't raise concerns about premium increases for the 10 plans in California's online marketplace. In addition, enrollment efforts make news in Missouri and Minnesota.

7 Oct 2014

Medicare fines 2,610 hospitals for excessive readmissions

Medicare is fining a record number of hospitals – 2,610 – for having too many patients return within a month for additional treatments, federal records released Wednesday show. Even though the nation's readmission rate is dropping, Medicare's average fines will be higher, with 39 hospitals receiving the largest penalty allowed, including the nation's oldest hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia (Rau, 10/2).

5 Oct 2014

Health exchange's one-year mark: Looking forward, looking back

As of Oct. 1, the health law's online marketplaces have been up and running for a year. News outlets offer status reports on what appears to have gone well, what problems remain as the second open enrollment period approaches and how these factors are playing politically.

3 Oct 2014

Early review: Open payments database not so open

The new federal website, which was created to provide information about financial links between physicians and the drug industry, is not user-friendly, notes The Associated Press. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal digs into the data to see what it shows about the ties between medical professionals and the drug industry.

3 Oct 2014

Open payments database debuts, detailing financial connections between physicians and drug makers

Consumer advocates have pushed for years for this kind of government database in an effort to protect against physicians' conflicts of interest, to safeguard patient care and to prevent unnecessary costs to public health programs.

1 Oct 2014

State highlights: Fla. toughens drug compounding laws; Conn. hospitals leave largest insurer

A selection of health policy stories from Florida, Connecticut, New York, Michigan, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Arkansas.

1 Oct 2014

Doctors, hospitals went digital, but still can't share records

After spending billions to switch from paper to digital records -- much of it taxpayer subsidized through the economic stimulus package -- providers say the systems often do not share information with competitors.

1 Oct 2014

Agingcare.com introduces Prescription Drug Assistance Locator tool

Paying for prescription medications just got easier for families who frequent AgingCare.com, the go-to destination for family caregivers.

1 Oct 2014

Today is the deadline for thousands to provide information to keep subsidies

The administration has notified more than 300,000 people that they need to provide documentation to keep their health insurance subsidies.

1 Oct 2014

Viewpoints: Shop around for health coverage; 'gaming' Obamacare; FDA and painkillers

My colleagues Margot Sanger-Katz and Amanda Cox wrote recently that shopping around for the best price can be crucial for people renewing their coverage on the health insurance exchanges this fall.

1 Oct 2014

Senate control still up in the air as Democrats shift focus to Medicare, other popular programs

The strategy being employed by Democrats -- to nationalize the election by highlighting popular programs such as Medicare and Social Security as well as issues that resonate with younger voters -- is a regular approach during midterm elections.

1 Oct 2014

Sanofi, Regeneron report positive Phase 2 study of dupilumab in patients with CSwNP

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) today announced that a Phase 2a proof-of-concept study of dupilumab, an investigational therapy that blocks IL-4 and IL-13 signaling, met all primary and secondary endpoints in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CSwNP) who did not respond to intranasal corticosteroids.

30 Sep 2014

Federal database on physician quality ratings comes up short, experts say

The database, which was created by the health law, offers only the most basic information, according to USA Today.

30 Sep 2014

Groups urge Medicare to cover LDCT screening for adults at high risk for lung cancer

More than 60 patient advocacy and medical organizations have joined a coalition headed by the Lung Cancer Alliance, the American College of Radiology and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, in urging Medicare to cover low dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for beneficiaries at high risk for lung cancer.

30 Sep 2014

NRA announces exclusive member discounts from UnitedHealthcare on manual medical rates

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) announced exclusive member discounts from UnitedHealthcare on manual medical rates for fully insured business groups with 51 or more eligible employees.

30 Sep 2014

Medicare News and Research

Acacia Pharma reports positive results from APD421 Phase 3 studies for management of PONV

State highlights: Ohio Medicaid and senior annuities; Mich. extends Medicaid dental coverage for kids

New study finds geographic variation in use of laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer patients

Medicare open enrollment brings lots of choices

Many nursing homes still lack fire sprinklers

Calif. won't challenge 2015 rate increases

Medicare fines 2,610 hospitals for excessive readmissions

Health exchange's one-year mark: Looking forward, looking back

Early review: Open payments database not so open

Open payments database debuts, detailing financial connections between physicians and drug makers

State highlights: Fla. toughens drug compounding laws; Conn. hospitals leave largest insurer

Doctors, hospitals went digital, but still can't share records

Agingcare.com introduces Prescription Drug Assistance Locator tool

Today is the deadline for thousands to provide information to keep subsidies

Viewpoints: Shop around for health coverage; 'gaming' Obamacare; FDA and painkillers

Senate control still up in the air as Democrats shift focus to Medicare, other popular programs

Sanofi, Regeneron report positive Phase 2 study of dupilumab in patients with CSwNP

Federal database on physician quality ratings comes up short, experts say

Groups urge Medicare to cover LDCT screening for adults at high risk for lung cancer

NRA announces exclusive member discounts from UnitedHealthcare on manual medical rates

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