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Cops, computer analysts hunt for Medicare fraud

The Wall Street Journal looks closely at the work of the Medicare Strike Force, which includes FBI agents and CMS workers. Meanwhile, the Government Accountability Office finds Medicare audit contractors may hammer hospitals with multiple reviews of the same payment claims.

16 Aug 2014

Viewpoints: Enrollment 'plummeting'?; Arkansas' 'boondoggle'; move Medicare to Obamacare exchanges

In the latest leg of their endless journey to find bad news about the Affordable Care Act, conservative analysts and websites have seized on some ambiguous figures to declare that enrollment is "plummeting," "shrinking," "sinking rapidly"--choose your headline. The most charitable interpretation of this claim is that it's based on extreme cherry-picking. The most accurate interpretation is that it's wrong (Michael Hiltzik, 8/13).

15 Aug 2014

First Edition: August 15, 2014

Today's headlines include a variety of updates regarding health policy and the health care marketplace.

15 Aug 2014

The rush is on: Process immigrant paperwork to keep them insured

The Wall Street Journal reports on reaction to the Obama administration's announcement that coverage would be cut off for as many as 310,000 people if they don't prove they are citizens or legal residents by Sept. 5. Other news outlets offer local takes on the issue.

15 Aug 2014

Medical advisory panel recommends new pneumonia vaccine for seniors

The experts expressed concern, however, that Medicare rules may hamper some people from getting the new vaccine if they have already had an older version. Also in drug issues, some patient advocates report that insurers are balking at paying for a costly drug to treat hepatitis C if the patients are in drug treatment programs.

15 Aug 2014

Longer looks: A sugar cube pyramid; Obamacare's successes; the suicide checklist

Dean Angstadt, a 57-year-old, self-employed logger, said that the Affordable Care Act saved his life. ... Kathy Bentozi, a 58-year-old Pennsylvanian, is also thankful for Obamacare. ... Joshua Haymore, a 27-year-old Coloradan, could not get a specialist to see him for weeks last year ... Now that he has Medicaid, his prescriptions cost $3 and his health has improved significantly. Those are just three of thousands of good-news stories coming from the insurance expansion in the Affordable Care Act. ... But there is scant evidence that Americans have started to take notice, or care (Annie Lowrey, 8/13).

15 Aug 2014

First Edition: August 14, 2014

Today's headlines include a report about an uptick in VA referrals to private physicians. Kaiser Health News staff writer Julie Appleby reports: "Some hospitals in New York, Florida and Wisconsin are exploring ways to help individuals and families pay their share of the costs of government-subsidized policies purchased though the health law's marketplaces – at least partly to guarantee the hospitals get paid when the consumers seek care.

14 Aug 2014

Majority of customers are satisfied with MediCare International, shows survey

A recent survey of users of international private healthcare insurer MediCare International has reported that 95% of those surveyed were either very satisfied or satisfied with their overall service experience.

14 Aug 2014

Researchers examine reason for patients being discharged from hospice care

About 1 in 5 Medicare patients is discharged from hospice care alive, whether due to patients' informed choice, a change in their condition, or inappropriate actions by the hospice to save on hospitalization costs related to terminal illness.

14 Aug 2014

Unresolved citizenship, immigration status threaten health law coverage for 310,000 people

The federal government has mailed notification to the people in three dozen states. These people have until Sept. 5 to present green cards, citizenship documents or other information to prove their eligibility for health insurance purchased through the online insurance marketplace.

14 Aug 2014

Viewpoints: Medicaid's good deal; Medicare hospital errors; CBO on exchange coverage

If the governor and the legislature refuse to accept the federal deal [for Medicaid expansion] - as 24 states have so far - they in effect vote against one of the most fantastic cash-flow deals ever offered them. ... And it gets worse.

14 Aug 2014

Insurance rate hikes could be issue in key states

Although rate hikes average 7.5 percent nationally for the individual health insurance market, consumers in politically key states such as Florida and North Carolina may see higher increases-- and insurers are partly blaming the administration's decision to allow consumers to hold onto their old policies.

14 Aug 2014

First Edition: August 13, 2014

Today's headlines include reports that more than 300,000 people who obtained new insurance through the health law could lose it if they do not provide proof by Sept. 5 that their immigration or citizenship status makes them eligible for it.

13 Aug 2014

CAH successfully attest to Stage 2 of Meaningful Use EHR incentive program using MEDITECH

Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center in Odessa, Wash. is the first Critical Access Hospital (CAH) to successfully attest to Stage 2 of the Meaningful Use electronic health record (EHR) incentive program using MEDITECH Information Technology, Inc. administered by Engage, a division of Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS).

13 Aug 2014

Viewpoints: Robin Williams' 'wakeup call'; surprise in Medicaid growth; tools to stop Ebola in U.S.

Earlier this year, [Robin] Williams checked himself into a rehabilitation facility. And whether he needed help with addiction or mental illness - or, as is so often the case, with both - it's safe to assume he got it. He had the money to afford the best and the sad truth is that, in some cases, even the best isn't enough to save people.

13 Aug 2014

Researchers identify predictors of early rehospitalization among patients with COPD

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have identified predictors of early rehospitalization among patients hospitalized for complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study was recently published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

13 Aug 2014

Screening test for colon cancer wins FDA approval

The test, called Cologuard, can detect genetic mutations in patients' stool samples that are associated with cancerous and precancerous growths.

12 Aug 2014

First Edition: August 12, 2014

Today's headlines include stories about how the federal government's experience with healthcare.gov has led to the creation of the U.S. Digital Service.

12 Aug 2014

GOP efforts to become 'party of yes' will likely include 'realistic' proposals to change the health law

In what is emerging as an aggressive strategy for Congressional Republicans, these proposals would likely follow an early and largely symbolic vote to repeal the overhaul. Meanwhile, much is at stake in state-level elections.

12 Aug 2014

Cochlear calls for action to prevent proposed Medicare rule

If the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) adopts a new rule proposed in July, people with certain types of hearing loss will no longer be able to secure Medicare coverage for certain types of hearing prosthetics that have been covered since 2006.

12 Aug 2014

Medicare News and Research

Cops, computer analysts hunt for Medicare fraud

Viewpoints: Enrollment 'plummeting'?; Arkansas' 'boondoggle'; move Medicare to Obamacare exchanges

First Edition: August 15, 2014

The rush is on: Process immigrant paperwork to keep them insured

Medical advisory panel recommends new pneumonia vaccine for seniors

Longer looks: A sugar cube pyramid; Obamacare's successes; the suicide checklist

First Edition: August 14, 2014

Majority of customers are satisfied with MediCare International, shows survey

Researchers examine reason for patients being discharged from hospice care

Unresolved citizenship, immigration status threaten health law coverage for 310,000 people

Viewpoints: Medicaid's good deal; Medicare hospital errors; CBO on exchange coverage

Insurance rate hikes could be issue in key states

First Edition: August 13, 2014

CAH successfully attest to Stage 2 of Meaningful Use EHR incentive program using MEDITECH

Viewpoints: Robin Williams' 'wakeup call'; surprise in Medicaid growth; tools to stop Ebola in U.S.

Researchers identify predictors of early rehospitalization among patients with COPD

Screening test for colon cancer wins FDA approval

First Edition: August 12, 2014

GOP efforts to become 'party of yes' will likely include 'realistic' proposals to change the health law

Cochlear calls for action to prevent proposed Medicare rule

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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