Medicare News and Research

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Medicare actuary issues cautions about current efforts to 'cure' spiralling costs

Medicare's actuary warned Tuesday that controlling cost growth is the primary challenge to the entitlement program's financial stability, but that neither the premium support system sought by Republicans nor cost-cutting measures pushed by the administration provide all the answers.

1 Mar 2012

First Edition: March 1, 2012

Today's headlines set the stage for the Senate's scheduled vote on a measure sponsored by Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., that would allow employers and insurers to opt out of provisions in Obama's health care law to which they object on religious or moral grounds.

1 Mar 2012

Kodak seeks to end health coverage for Medicare-eligible retirees

Eastman Kodak Co., looking to whittle expenses as it reorganizes under bankruptcy protection, wants to end health care benefits for about 16,000 retirees who are over age 65 and thus eligible for Medicare.

1 Mar 2012

Romney wins Michigan, Arizona; Rivals press health policy barbs

In exit polls, some GOP voters said they were concerned about Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's health care policies. Rivals Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich offered parallels between the federal health law and the measure Romney signed while governor of Massachusetts.

1 Mar 2012

States should consider highest-cost patients when developing essential benefits package

That recommendation comes from a report issued Tuesday by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, which concluded that those under age 65 have very different health spending habits than Medicare beneficiaries. Meanwhile, experts offer advice to states regarding development of essential benefits packages.

1 Mar 2012

UnitedHealth acquisitions draw scrutiny, Maine's high court sides with regulators on insurance rate hikes

UnitedHealth Group's acquisition of a Calif. physician group and two Florida health plans are making news, and Maine's top court sides with regulators' authority to reject one Anthem's rate increases there.

1 Mar 2012

Viewpoints: 'Romney's rebound,' Va. lawmakers' ultrasound vote, Kennedy's not sole interpreters of Senator's legacy

But Mr. Romney also improved his case for his own candidacy, stressing a reform agenda as much as his business biography. In the final days in particular, he pressed his new plan for a 20 percent across-the-board income tax cut, as well as Medicare reform. He stressed his ability to revive the economy, which remains the dominant issue even among conservatives, despite the prominence of social issues in the last week.

29 Feb 2012

Texas doctor caught in a $375 million fraud

A Texas doctor has been accused of running a massive health fraud care scheme with thousands of fraudulent patients and intermediaries allegedly offering cash, food stamps or free groceries, to cheat the Medicare and Medicaid of nearly $375 million.

29 Feb 2012

Positive reaction from hospitals, consumer groups on 'stage 2' health IT rules

Both hospital and consumer groups are reacting positively to new federal rules meant to improve the effective use of the technology, and new electronic health records certification rules are released.

29 Feb 2012

First Edition: February 29, 2012

Today's headlines include reports on yesterday's GOP presidential primary elections and how health policy played a role in some of the rhetoric.

29 Feb 2012

Financial crime convictions - including health care fraud - reap billions in restitution payments

The FBI said Monday that its probes of financial crime last year led to more than 3,000 convictions and over $12 billion in court-ordered restitution as agents attacked insider trading, Ponzi schemes and Medicare fraud in high-dollar scams that victimized thousands of investors and the government.

29 Feb 2012

Senate Republican reintroduces measure to repeal health law's Independent Payment Advisory Board

Meanwhile, on the House side, a top Democrat has said he will support efforts to undo the panel created to curb Medicare spending growth. The American Medical Association also reiterated its support for repeal.

29 Feb 2012

Telephone-based counseling program does not improve osteoporosis medication adherence

Telephone motivational counseling sessions did not result in a statistically significant improvement in adherence to an osteoporosis medication regimen, according to a report published Online First by Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

28 Feb 2012

Feds tighten Medicare plans oversight to curb improper payments

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced an initiative Friday designed to reduce the number of Medicare advantage payments made in error.

28 Feb 2012

A look at Obama's 'deficit dilemma'

Yet starting with that April speech, Mr. Obama has come to adopt most of the major tenets supported by a majority of the commission's members, though his proposals do not go as far. He has called for cutting deficits more than $4 trillion over 10 years by shaving all spending, including for the military, Medicare and Social Security; overhauling the tax code to raise revenues and lower rates; and writing rules to lock in savings.

28 Feb 2012

Viewpoints: Santorum on repeal; Ariz. Republic endorses Romney; How Catholic church almost accepted birth control

I'll submit legislation to repeal ObamaCare, and on day one issue an executive order ending related regulatory obligations on the states. I'll work with Congress to replace ObamaCare with competitive insurance choices to improve quality and limit the costs of health care, while protecting those with uninsurable health conditions.

28 Feb 2012

Romney's Medicare plan would gradually raise eligibility age

The plan was released just days before just days before the next round of primary elections. Also in the news, more on GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's tea party appeal and position on abortion, while rival Rick Santorum offers more charges that the former Massachusetts governor is not conservative enough.

27 Feb 2012

Dendreon 2011 product revenue increases to $213.5M

Dendreon Corporation today reported results for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2011. Product revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $213.5 million compared to $48 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Product revenue for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $77 million compared to $25 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2010.

27 Feb 2012

Savient fourth quarter net loss increases to $30.9 million

Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2011, which reflect the Company's continuing investment in the U.S. launch of KRYSTEXXA(pegloticase). Savient ended the quarter with approximately $170 million in cash and short-term investments, a decrease of $33 million for the quarter.

27 Feb 2012

NCQA certifies Health Data Essentials for HEDIS Quality Measures

Health Data Essentials' (HDE) flagship product, EssentialStars, has received certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for the seventeen HEDIS Quality Measures in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Quality Program.

27 Feb 2012

Medicare News and Research

Medicare actuary issues cautions about current efforts to 'cure' spiralling costs

First Edition: March 1, 2012

Kodak seeks to end health coverage for Medicare-eligible retirees

Romney wins Michigan, Arizona; Rivals press health policy barbs

States should consider highest-cost patients when developing essential benefits package

UnitedHealth acquisitions draw scrutiny, Maine's high court sides with regulators on insurance rate hikes

Viewpoints: 'Romney's rebound,' Va. lawmakers' ultrasound vote, Kennedy's not sole interpreters of Senator's legacy

Texas doctor caught in a $375 million fraud

Positive reaction from hospitals, consumer groups on 'stage 2' health IT rules

First Edition: February 29, 2012

Financial crime convictions - including health care fraud - reap billions in restitution payments

Senate Republican reintroduces measure to repeal health law's Independent Payment Advisory Board

Telephone-based counseling program does not improve osteoporosis medication adherence

Feds tighten Medicare plans oversight to curb improper payments

A look at Obama's 'deficit dilemma'

Viewpoints: Santorum on repeal; Ariz. Republic endorses Romney; How Catholic church almost accepted birth control

Romney's Medicare plan would gradually raise eligibility age

Dendreon 2011 product revenue increases to $213.5M

Savient fourth quarter net loss increases to $30.9 million

NCQA certifies Health Data Essentials for HEDIS Quality Measures

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