Seniors News and Research

RSS

Humana's video game technology initiative to inspire healthy behavior

Have you ever wanted to learn how to dance like a star? The winning entry in Humana’s InsertCoin game idea competition could have you showing off some fancy new dance moves. Humana Inc. announced today its Games for Health team has selected the winners of this unique competition. First, second and third place winners will each receive a cash prize and the chance to have their idea prototyped or commercialized. Humana Games for Health sponsored the competition as a way to generate new and differentiating active video game concepts to positively impact the health of kids, families and seniors.

22 Dec 2009

Seniors concerned over cost and coverage in 2010 Medicare enrollment plans

The 2010 annual enrollment period for individuals with Medicare plans ends Thursday, December 31. According to customer service specialists at Health Plan One, an online insurance brokerage and Medicare information portal, while seniors have been inquiring about plans' physician networks, changes to drug formularies, and plan eliminations and introductions in their states, the top three most discussed topics surround plan cancellations, premium increases and Medicare supplement alternatives.

22 Dec 2009

HQP enters into agreement with Aetna to provide nurse care management services

Health Quality Partners (HQP) has entered into a three-year agreement with Aetna to provide nurse care management services to Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan members with certain chronic health conditions who receive their care at participating practices in Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania.

22 Dec 2009

AMA supports amended Senate health system reform bill

The American Medical Association (AMA) today announced its support for passage of the amended Senate health system reform bill (H.R. 3590). Passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by the Senate will bring our nation close to the finish line on health system reform.

22 Dec 2009

ADP donates $500,000 to Feeding America to help fight hunger in America

Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, announced today that ADP(R), a leading provider of business outsourcing solutions, has donated $500,000 to help fight hunger in America.

22 Dec 2009

Eldercare Home Health says HST can raise seniors’ healthcare costs

Lisa Wiseman, President of Eldercare Home Health Inc. says the HST is a significant cost for seniors who require elder care to remain safe, healthy and independent."

22 Dec 2009

FreedomWorks opposes proposed health care legislation

While a blizzard paralyzed Washington, it did not slow down the health care legislative stampede on Capitol Hill. The bill being rushed through by Senator Harry Reid and Senate Democrat leadership will fundamentally alter American health care.

21 Dec 2009

More than 40 groups join together to oppose Senate healthcare bill, hold online Virtual Vigil

More than 40 groups have joined together to oppose the Senate healthcare bill, and will hold an online "Virtual Vigil" starting at 9 pm tonight and wrapping after the Senate votes around 1 am.

21 Dec 2009

Statement on Senate health care reform legislation released by Karen Ignagni

The debate before the country is not whether insurance market reforms are needed. They are. The debate is not about whether all Americans should have health care coverage. They should. The debate is about whether the current legislation can work, bend the cost curve, and be sustained.

21 Dec 2009

Data released by CIHI supports CNA's vision on nursing and health

A growing number of registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) are working in positions of first point of contact between patients and the health-care system, helping improve patient access to primary care and driving down wait times.

19 Dec 2009

Changes needed in healthcare reform legislation to prevent senior citizens and the disabled

Significant changes are needed in healthcare reform legislation to prevent senior citizens and the disabled from facing a difficult time obtaining homecare products through Medicare.

18 Dec 2009

Roundup of health policy research and analyses

Urban Institute/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: What Would Health Care Reform Mean for Small Employers and Their Workers? - "Small employers and their workers face a broad assortment of barriers to obtaining health insurance coverage today," such as "high administrative costs, limited ability to spread health care risk, and a low-wage workforce."

18 Dec 2009

Health industry revenue up 5.7 percent, some seniors head south for care

The Dallas Morning News reports that the U.S. Census released a report Thursday that showed health care industry's revenues grew 5.7 percent in 2008 to $1.75 trillion. The number represents 30 percent of economic activity in the U.S., according to a Census official. "The Census Bureau cites Texas as one of the most expensive states for health care.

18 Dec 2009

Liberator Medical Holdings reports record net revenues for fiscal year 2009

Liberator Medical Holdings, Inc. announced net revenues for fiscal year 2009 of $25,818,000, representing an increase of $16,268,000, or 170.3%, compared with fiscal year 2008. The increase in sales occurred in the mail order segment of its business. The increase was due to a substantial direct-response advertising campaign to obtain new mail order customers.

18 Dec 2009

A program to reduce depression and isolation among the elderly during holiday season

MyWay Village, the first senior-focused technology company to help seniors get online in an easy and social way by combining access to simplified technology with personal training and support, today announced that their Connected Living program is reducing depression and feelings of isolation especially during the holiday season within senior communities where the company's programs are being offered.

18 Dec 2009

Medicare buy-in can provide significant savings for seniors, says 2008 CBO report

A briefly considered "Medicare buy-in" proposal for 55- to 64-year-olds was apparently killed in the Senate this week by self-styled moderates who claimed it would be too costly for taxpayers.

18 Dec 2009

HHS money targets chronic disease management for seniors

McKnight's Long Term Care News "The Department of Health and Human Services is disbursing $27 million in stimulus package funds to bolster care and prevention of chronic conditions among the elderly through the HHS Administration on Aging (AoA), it said Wednesday.

17 Dec 2009

Reform issues in play: Selling insurance across state lines, Medicare’s doughnut hole

News outlets report on some of the major health policy issues being considered by the Senate, including a proposal to let insurers sell plans across state lines and an effort to close the Medicare "doughnut hole."

17 Dec 2009

First Edition: December 17, 2009

Today's big story, according to the headlines, are the delays in the Senate debate.

17 Dec 2009

Risk of H1N1 exposure alters U.S. holiday plans

Forty percent of U.S. adults intend to change their holiday plans due to the risk of being exposed to the H1N1 flu virus, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by JohnsonDiversey, a global leader in the commercial cleaning and sanitizing industry.

17 Dec 2009