Medicare News and Research

RSS

First Edition: October 31, 2011

In today's headlines, news reports about a key medical group's take on accountable care organizations and how a "merger wave" is hitting the health care sector.

31 Oct 2011

COPCP chooses eClinicalWorks comprehensive EHR solution

eClinicalWorks, a market leader in ambulatory clinical systems, today announced that Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians (COPCP), the second largest privately-owned primary care group in the United States, has chosen eClinicalWorks comprehensive electronic health records (EHR) solution for its 230 physicians across 44 practices.

31 Oct 2011

Humana third quarter consolidated revenues increase 11% to $9.30 billion

Humana Inc. today reported diluted earnings per common share (EPS) for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 (3Q11) of $2.67, compared to $2.32 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

31 Oct 2011

Federal officials approve Calif. cuts in Medicaid

Gov. Jerry Brown sought the waiver from the Obama administration to reduce reimbursements to doctors, pharmacies, nursing homes and other providers by 10 percent.

29 Oct 2011

Medicare 2012 Part B premiums will be lower than expected

The Obama administration cheered the news regarding the cost of Part B premiums in part because it could give a political boost to President Barack Obama's popularity among older voters.

29 Oct 2011

Feds make arrests in $18 million Medicare and Medicaid scam

The alleged fraud was based on an "elaborate" prescription drug scheme that involved a physician, a pharmacist and 15 others and included the recruitment of veterans, homeless people, poor people and the elderly.

29 Oct 2011

State highlights: Wash. Gov. announces more budget cuts

For the fourth year in a row, Gov. Chris Gregoire on Thursday outlined more than $1.5 billion in state cuts to health care, social services, prisons and education.The latest round would increase public-school class sizes, eliminate subsidized health care for the working poor and release hundreds of inmates early…. The state's Basic Health Plan would close, ending state-subsidized insurance for about 35,000 low-income people.

29 Oct 2011

Reducing elderly patients' mobility does not prevent hospital falls

In 2008, as part of a larger initiative aimed at reducing preventable hospital errors and lowering costs, Medicare stopped reimbursing for the treatment of injuries related to in-hospital falls.

29 Oct 2011

Parties still far apart as deficit panel eyes benefits, taxes

Media outlets report on Capitol Hill reactions to the super committee proposals and counter-proposals that surfaced this week. For instance, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, gave his "most pessimistic" take to date on whether the panel would be able to offer recommendations by Thanksgiving on how to reach the deficit-reduction target.

29 Oct 2011

Cancer symposium at Georgetown focuses on 'Linking Policy to the Patient'

The Otto J. Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center announces a three-part symposium, titled "Fighting a Smarter War Against Cancer: Linking Policy to the Patient," to be held Thursday, December 1 through Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 on the campuses of Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

29 Oct 2011

Research roundup: Medicaid's long-term care bill; work-based coverage and the health law

This study examined Medicare data on beneficiaries diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 1995 and 2005 who ranged from 67 to 85 years old. The authors found, "Medicare beneficiaries with colon cancer had better outcomes if they had more primary care utilization before diagnosis. Even within this universally insured population, 28% of Medicare beneficiaries with colon cancer had no or only 1 contact with primary care physicians in the 3 to 27 months before the diagnosis.

29 Oct 2011

Massachusetts court awards injunction preventing Watson from selling Amphastar's generic LOVENOX

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today confirmed that the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts has granted Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sandoz Inc.'s request for a preliminary injunction preventing Watson and Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from marketing or selling Amphastar's Enoxaparin Sodium Injection, a generic equivalent to Sanofi-aventis' LOVENOX.

29 Oct 2011

Coventry reports operating revenues of $3.0B for third quarter 2011

Coventry Health Care, Inc. today reported consolidated operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Operating revenues totaled $3.0 billion for the quarter with net earnings of $122.7 million, or earnings per diluted share (EPS) of $0.84.

29 Oct 2011

Cigna third quarter adjusted income from operations increases to $325 million

Cigna Corporation today reported third quarter 2011 results that included strong revenue and earnings from each of our ongoing businesses, reflecting continued effective execution of the fundamentals supporting our long-term growth strategy.

29 Oct 2011

HMS third quarter revenue increases 15.4% to $92.4 million

HMS Holdings Corp. today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2011.

29 Oct 2011

LifePoint Hospitals third quarter revenues increase 5.4% to $877.2 million

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. today announced results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

28 Oct 2011

First Edition: October 28, 2011

In today's headlines, reports about the health law's public support, the latest on the super committee and news about the cost of Medicare Part B premiums.

28 Oct 2011

Two new studies could provide tools to prevent rehospitalizations after major surgeries

Studies have shown that patients returning to the hospital soon after they've been discharged may cost Medicare up to billions of dollars each year, but two new studies presented at the 2011 Annual Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons could give surgical teams and their patients tools to prevent rehospitalizations.

28 Oct 2011

TEDMED 2012 conference to take place in Washington, DC

TEDMED, the world's leading multi-disciplinary conference on the future of health and medicine, today announced that the 2012 edition of the conference will take place in Washington, DC at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from April 11-13, 2012.

28 Oct 2011

Amerigroup reports net income of $48.1 million for third quarter 2011

Amerigroup Corporation today announced that net income for the third quarter of 2011 was $48.1 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, versus net income of $84.3 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2010 and compared to $44.3 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2011.

28 Oct 2011