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Michigan opts not to appeal feds' MLR rule

The state was one of 13 seeking an exemption from the health law's medical-loss ratio requirement that insurance companies spend at least 80 percent of premiums on medical care. Others, however, get a 30-day extension. Also in the news, the Department of Health and Human Services named 73 advisers to work with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.

5 Jan 2012

Viewpoints: Sebelius on 'essential benefits'; WSJ columnist on Democrats' 'Mediscare' argument - is it a lie?

Insurance needs and health systems vary state to state, and experience tells us that the best way forward is not to mandate a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, our approach gives states the flexibility to take their own paths, while ensuring they all end up in the best place possible: with an Affordable Insurance Exchange that offers access to comprehensive, quality, affordable health insurance to small business owners and individuals who currently have few good choices in an expensive and broken market.

5 Jan 2012

Re-admission rates high among U.S. heart attack patients: Study

According to new research from U.S health experts, Americans who have a severe form of a heart attack are far more likely to be readmitted to the hospital than people from 16 other countries with the same kind of heart attack.

4 Jan 2012

Aseracare hospice in a federal lawsuit brought forth by whistleblowers

According to a federal lawsuit, AseraCare Hospice submitted “false and fraudulent” claims for payment to the U.S. and misspent millions of dollars in Medicare money meant for the care of terminally ill patients. AseraCare, based in Fort Smith, Arkansas, runs 65 hospice centers in 19 states, according to the lawsuit.

4 Jan 2012

First Edition: January 4, 2012

In today's headlines, Romney wins a historically close contest in Iowa caucuses and Wall Street Journal readers favor televising the Supreme Court arguments regarding the health law.

4 Jan 2012

Yale study questions accuracy of relying on patient death rates to compare hospital quality

Hospitals, health insurers and patients often rely on patient death rates in hospitals to compare hospital quality. Now a new study by researchers at Yale School of Medicine questions the accuracy of that widely used approach and supports measuring patient deaths over a period of 30 days from admission even after they have left the hospital.

4 Jan 2012

McConnell names conferees for tax-cut, doc fix negotiations

Late last month, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., named his picks to negotiate for a year-long extension of the payroll tax holiday and Medicare doc fix.

4 Jan 2012

CMS delays two anti-fraud projects

Modern Healthcare reports that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has put on hold its initiative targeting fraud related to power wheelchairs and its expansion of the Recovery Audit Contractors. Georgia Health News reports on how health care fraud has taken root in Georgia.

4 Jan 2012

MTR technique indicates that COPAXONE therapy results in tissue repair in RRMS patients

Researchers utilizing an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to characterize and chart the evolution of MS lesions found that relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated with COPAXONE (glatiramer acetate injection) experienced significantly increased magnetization transfer ratio.

4 Jan 2012

Moving forward: The Medicare debate in 2012

Baby boomers take note: Medicare as your parents have known it is headed for big changes no matter who wins the White House in 2012. You may not like it, but you might have to accept it. Dial down the partisan rhetoric and surprising similarities emerge from competing policy prescriptions by President Barack Obama and leading Republicans such as Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.

4 Jan 2012

Big picture: ACO progress report; Evaluating new laws based on job creation

Modern Healthcare takes a look at the 32 medical groups that were named late last year to be the accountable care organization "pioneers" and how their planning is taking shape. Meanwhile, The New York Times examines how job creation has become the buzz word for lobbyists.

4 Jan 2012

Medicaid news: Texas to limit dual eligible reimbursements, Wis. to lift cap on long-term care

It may soon become harder for the neediest Texans to receive medical treatment. That's because statewide regulations scheduled to go into effect Sunday would limit reimbursements paid to medical providers for patients covered by both Medicare and Medicaid. The change would impact approximately 333,000 patients, mostly elderly, low-income residents, but also younger patients who are disabled. Slashing the Medicaid co-pay was part of the plan approved by state lawmakers earlier this year to help balance the state's budget.

4 Jan 2012

CMS assigns J-code for Pharmaxis ARIDOL Bronchial Challenge Test Kit

Pharmaxis, Inc. today announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has assigned a product-specific billing code, or J-code, for ARIDOL (mannitol inhalation powder) Bronchial Challenge Test Kit.

4 Jan 2012

CMS assigns J-code for Eisai's Halaven Injection to treat breast cancer

Eisai Inc. announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has assigned a unique, permanent Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) J-code for Halaven (eribulin mesylate) Injection.

4 Jan 2012

Viewpoints: Giving states responsibility for 'essential benefits'; The cost of proton beam treatment; Health spending in 2012

The Obama administration surprised supporters and critics when it decided to let states define the "essential health benefits" that must be provided to their citizens under health care reform. ... Federal health officials will need to monitor developments during the transition period to make sure consumers and employers can easily compare the benefit packages offered by private insurers.

3 Jan 2012

AAPHC chooses eClinicalWorks comprehensive EHR solution

eClinicalWorks, a market leader in ambulatory clinical systems, today announced that Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC), the largest primary physician practice in Southwest Georgia and a Community Health Center (CHC), has chosen eClinicalWorks comprehensive electronic health records (EHR) solution across its 14 locations. According to figures by the NACHC, eClinicalWorks customers represent 33% of CHCs in the country.

3 Jan 2012

First Edition: January 3, 2012

In today's headlines, reports that New York seniors are experiencing reduced prescription coverage and more California patients are being added to the health insurance rolls.

3 Jan 2012

Sex, race and dementia may influence risk of mortality in patients with PD

Demographics and clinical factors appear to be associated with survival in patients with Parkinson disease (PD), and the presence of dementia is associated with a significant increase in mortality, according to a report in the January issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

2 Jan 2012

2012 & health care: Medicare faces big changes, new state laws include abortion issues

News outlets began 2012 by looking ahead at what is promising to be a busy health care year, especially because of the 2010 federal health law.

2 Jan 2012

Economy beats health care, national debt and jobs as most critical issue facing America in 2012

A survey of 337 retirees on Medicare revealed that 45% believe the economy is the most critical issue facing America in 2012 - beating out the national debt (21%); jobs (19%); and health care (15%) for the top spot.

31 Dec 2011

Medicare News and Research

Michigan opts not to appeal feds' MLR rule

Viewpoints: Sebelius on 'essential benefits'; WSJ columnist on Democrats' 'Mediscare' argument - is it a lie?

Re-admission rates high among U.S. heart attack patients: Study

Aseracare hospice in a federal lawsuit brought forth by whistleblowers

First Edition: January 4, 2012

Yale study questions accuracy of relying on patient death rates to compare hospital quality

McConnell names conferees for tax-cut, doc fix negotiations

CMS delays two anti-fraud projects

MTR technique indicates that COPAXONE therapy results in tissue repair in RRMS patients

Moving forward: The Medicare debate in 2012

Big picture: ACO progress report; Evaluating new laws based on job creation

Medicaid news: Texas to limit dual eligible reimbursements, Wis. to lift cap on long-term care

CMS assigns J-code for Pharmaxis ARIDOL Bronchial Challenge Test Kit

CMS assigns J-code for Eisai's Halaven Injection to treat breast cancer

Viewpoints: Giving states responsibility for 'essential benefits'; The cost of proton beam treatment; Health spending in 2012

AAPHC chooses eClinicalWorks comprehensive EHR solution

First Edition: January 3, 2012

Sex, race and dementia may influence risk of mortality in patients with PD

2012 & health care: Medicare faces big changes, new state laws include abortion issues

Economy beats health care, national debt and jobs as most critical issue facing America in 2012

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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