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Medicare pays out big bucks for questionable treatments

News outlets report on various activities related to fraud and abuse in Medicare.

23 Dec 2010

Today's Opinions: Congressional funding vote leaves out health law; Price controls on health; Tough choices in Washington State

The Senate passed the Continuing Resolution 79-16 this afternoon. Another way of saying that: The Senate voted to defund the implementation of both health-care reform and financial-regulation reform.

23 Dec 2010

FDA approves Watson's novel oral contraceptive

Watson Pharmaceuticals today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a novel oral contraceptive product – the first and only low dose oral contraceptive to combine 0.8 mg norethindrone and 0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol in chewable form, with four 75 mg ferrous fumarate (iron) placebo tablets. Taken orally, once daily, the product is proven effective in lowering the risk of pregnancy.

22 Dec 2010

First Edition: December 22, 2010

Today's headlines include a number of reports regarding a new proposed rule by the Department of Health and Human Services that will require insurers to justify large premium hikes.

22 Dec 2010

Mayo Clinic accused of submitting false Medicare claims

The U.S. Justice Department has accused the Mayo Clinic of submitting false claims to Medicare and other federal programs for lab tests it never performed (Lerner, 12/20).

21 Dec 2010

First Edition: December 21, 2010

Today's headlines reveal the health law challenges presented by the Senate's current deal to fund the federal government and from a antitrust suit in Michigan.

21 Dec 2010

Aetna's ACO model improves health care quality, lowers cost of care

Three years ago Aetna began working with doctor groups, specialists and health care facilities to create a more personalized, connected and accountable way to provide health care. Today, Aetna's early accountable care organization model is improving health care quality and lowering the cost of care.

21 Dec 2010

Cambridge Heart completes private placement

Cambridge Heart, Inc., developer of non-invasive diagnostic tests for cardiac disease, today announced that on December 20, 2010 it completed a private placement to accredited investors. The transaction raised gross proceeds of $2.9 million and consisted of Units that were comprised of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of common stock.

21 Dec 2010

Survey shows 81% of seniors think Congress may not find solution for physician payments for Medicare

An independent survey of 441 seniors 65 years old and up revealed that 81% do not think Congress will find a long-term solution for physician payments for Medicare in 2011. Further, 89% surveyed believe doctors will stop accepting Medicare patients if a planned 23% cut in Medicare reimbursements for physicians services that was scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2011 is implemented.

21 Dec 2010

Group buy program helps hospitals save $81 million

Over the past year, 1,220 hospitals participating in the Premier healthcare alliance's group buy program have identified $81 million in savings through access to high-quality products at low costs.

21 Dec 2010

Priority Health launches health insurance plans for Michigan residents

Priority Health has launched MyPriority, a package of health insurance plans for individuals and families throughout Michigan. The plans feature comprehensive coverage for prevention services and are designed specifically for individuals ages 18 to 64 who are looking to purchase affordable health insurance.

21 Dec 2010

Pennsylvania's Medicaid program error rate less than half the national average, feds say

A new federal report finds Pennsylvania's Medicaid program has an error rate that is less than half the national average and well below estimates claimed in state-level audits, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

21 Dec 2010

Dey Pharma settles U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit

Dey Pharma L.P. today announced that it has settled a lawsuit brought against it by the U.S. Department of Justice in September 2006 pertaining to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements paid by the federal government to pharmacists and other healthcare providers. In exchange for a release of claims, Dey has agreed to pay $280 million.

21 Dec 2010

Congressional battle lines emerge over spending issues; Backers continue to press 9/11 health bill

On Capitol Hill, the lines are being drawn surrounding spending issues, and funding for the Obama administration's health law will be a flashpoint in the battle. Meanwhile, congressional backers of the 9/11 health bill continue to press ahead. And in action late on Sunday the Senate gives the nod to the food safety bill.

20 Dec 2010

Requirements set for grant program to inform seniors about new health law provisions

The CMS has announced new requirements for state health insurance assistance program, or SHIP, grants to help make Medicare beneficiaries aware about certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

20 Dec 2010

WSJ: Top spine surgeons reap royalties, Medicare bounty

The Wall Street Journal examines how the relationship between some doctors and device makers leads to big payments — often from Medicare. Meanwhile, ProPublica explores other conflict of interest issues.

20 Dec 2010

First Edition: December 20, 2010

Today's headlines include more analysis on the continuing legal challenges to the health law and the path they might take to the Supreme Court.

20 Dec 2010

Participants in CMS, Premier healthcare alliance HQID VBP project raise quality by 18.3%

With value-based purchasing (VBP) now law under health reform, hospitals participating in the nation's largest hospital VBP demonstration are providing lessons learned that can help others save lives and better craft rules to govern the new program.

20 Dec 2010

Health Care at Home: Trends and issues

Leaders in the nation's Health Care at Home movement outlined trends and issues during a webinar for physicians across the country today. The webinar, "Why Health Care is Going Home," offered industry insights and detailed the reasons why home care will play a major role in the future of health care in America.

20 Dec 2010

Medicare bonus payment pilot program also a test for ACOs

Half of 10 physician groups testing Medicare bonus payments for quality and spending control earned payouts during the fourth year of the five-year experiment, the CMS has announced. Bonuses, which totaled $31.7 million for the fourth year, are based on how much physician groups save Medicare and how well doctors perform on measures of quality.

20 Dec 2010