Medicare News and Research

RSS

Obamacare enrollment reaches 4 million

About 700,000 people have selected a health plan so far in February, but officials couldn't say how many of those people have paid their first month's premium. For enrollment to reach the revised goal of 6 million, more than double the number of people will have to sign up in March.

27 Feb 2014

Georgia docs finally see Medicaid pay raise

In the meantime, Minnesota's hospitals saw their uncompensated care costs increase at the slowest rate in five years.

27 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 26, 2014

Today's headlines include reports that, according to the Obama administration, insurance sign-ups under the health law have hit 4 million.

26 Feb 2014

Regeneron receives FDA acceptance for EYLEA injection for treatment of macular edema

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for standard review the Company's supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection for the treatment of Macular Edema following Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO).

26 Feb 2014

Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy shows better outcomes in cancer removal

An observational study from UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer comparing robotic-assisted prostate surgery to open surgery for prostate cancer found that patients who had robotic surgery had fewer instances of cancer cells at the edge of the surgical specimen, or fewer positive margins, and less need of additional cancer treatments, such as hormone therapy or radiation, than patients who had open surgery.

26 Feb 2014

States: Calif. malpractice bill; Conn. braces for mental health cuts; Fla. advance practice nurses bill

A selection of health policy stories from California, Connecticut, Florida and Arizona.

26 Feb 2014

CMS report: 11 million small business workers could see higher premiums under health law

Nearly two-thirds of small businesses will see their health insurance premiums increase under the ACA, according to a new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services report. Democrats counter that the report ignores subsidies for premiums.

26 Feb 2014

Health stocks rise as worries ease about Medicare advantage payment rate cuts

Shares of Humana, UnitedHealth, Aetna and others went up Monday as estimates of the 2015 payment rate reduction estimates appeared to land closer to 4 percent than to the initial expectations around 7 percent or even deeper.

26 Feb 2014

Rep. John Dingell announces retirement

The Michigan Democrat, who was often at the center of health care debates as he sought universal health care benefits, says he will not seek a 30th term in Congress.

26 Feb 2014

Health law attack ads under the microscope

As congressional races heat up, political ads related to the health law move into the realm of fact-checking and demands for proof.

26 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 25, 2014

Today's headlines include stories exploring the political dynamics governors face regarding the health law's Medicaid expansion.

25 Feb 2014

New report reveals prevalence of heroin-related overdose deaths in Kentucky

A new report from the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC) reveals the prevalence and charges associated with drug overdose in the Bluegrass state.

25 Feb 2014

Regulators propose 1.9% cut to Medicare advantage payments

Federal regulators late Friday proposed cutting payments to private Medicare plans by 1.9 percent after recent lower health care spending growth. Insurers worry the cut could be much deeper than that after health law fees and other payment changes take effect, however, and say another cut could affect benefits for seniors.

25 Feb 2014

GOP readies new votes on health law mandate repeal, Medicare advantage cuts

In the meantime, one Democratic senator is pulling back from comments he made on repealing the health law.

25 Feb 2014

Pediatric docs argue against retail health care clinics

In the meantime, a big push for greater price transparency in what health care costs is readied, and the prominence of palliative care grows.

25 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 24, 2014

Today's headlines include continuing coverage of Medicare Advantage payment rates, as well as a range of stories about the health law's Medicaid expansion and online insurance marketplaces.

24 Feb 2014

Feds propose Medicare advantage payment cuts, could have election impact

Medicare Advantage is the managed care program, run by private insurance companies, for seniors and disabled people.

24 Feb 2014

Research roundup: Palliative care and ACOs; employers and Supreme Court case on contraception

In preparation for the new ACO environment, leaders recognized the contribution palliative care can make to health care "value," especially in the care of our sickest (and most expensive) patients ...

24 Feb 2014

GOP strategists prepare to pounce on Medicare advantage payment changes

The new payment rates for private Medicare Advantage plans -- expected to be announced Friday -- are likely to become political fodder in the midterm elections, reports Politico. Meanwhile, congressional Republicans come out against proposed changes in the Medicare prescription drug program which they say would increase seniors' costs.

24 Feb 2014

Political tactician applies skills to selling health insurance

The Washington Post profiles a White House staffer who went from being a field lieutenant in President Barack Obama's re-election campaign to helping oversee the effort to persuade people to sign up for insurance under the health law.

24 Feb 2014