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Nation's leading health care systems collaborate to improve quality while reducing costs

Six of the nation's leading health care systems today announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration to improve health care quality while reducing costs.

16 Dec 2010

CRS report details regs issued since passage of health overhaul

The Congressional Research Service issued a new report examining the processes followed in the development of the new rules put in place since the passage of the health overhaul. Meanwhile, the omnibus spending bill now moving through Congress includes funds for Medicare and Medicaid fraud prevention.

16 Dec 2010

Sun-Times: Medicare wants pharmacists out of Plan D decision-making process

Walgreens pharmacists are no longer giving customers advice on which Medicare Part D plans best work with the customers' prescriptions by the Dec. 31 deadline, and a Medicare spokesman says that's a good thing.

16 Dec 2010

Today's Opinions: Reviewing judge's ruling on health law's individual mandate

The legal case against it almost certainly will make its way to the Supreme Court before the individual mandate is due to take effect in 2014. But considered in its proper context, it doesn't violate the Constitution (12/15).

15 Dec 2010

First Edition: December 15, 2010

Today's major health policy news is full of second-day stories and analysis regarding Monday's health law decision by a federal court judge in Virginia.

15 Dec 2010

Customer satisfaction with health insurance falls 2.7%, says ACSI report

Steady or improving customer satisfaction with several types of financial services is not enough to overcome the customer satisfaction challenges of the health insurance industry, according to a report released today by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The report covers customer satisfaction with banks, credit unions, health insurance, life insurance and property & casualty insurance.

15 Dec 2010

CMS increases reimbursement rate for Cylex's immune cell function assay by 267%

Cylex Incorporated® today announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) nearly tripled the reimbursement for ImmuKnow®, the immune cell function assay FDA-cleared for the detection of cell-mediated immune response in populations undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplant. This significant increase was granted in a time when the overall CMS clinical fee schedule experienced a comprehensive decrease in laboratory reimbursement rates.

15 Dec 2010

New HHS Strategy on Multiple Chronic Conditions

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today issued its new Strategic Framework on Multiple Chronic Conditions - an innovative private-public sector collaboration to coordinate responses to a growing challenge.

15 Dec 2010

Report examines ways to improve care for Medicare's dual eligibles

News outlets explore different issues related to Medicare, including the impact the physician payment system has on patients' access and the particular challenges posed by people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

15 Dec 2010

New study finds health law will aid those close to retirement age

News outlets track how the health law is impacting seniors and older working-age adults.

15 Dec 2010

Watson files generic Exalgo ANDA, confirms patent challenge from Mallinckrodt

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc. – Florida, filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market Hydromorphone Hydrochloride Extended-release Tablets, 8 mg, 12 mg, and 16 mg.

14 Dec 2010

UnitedHealthcare's care management solution will improve diabetes prescription drug adherence: Study

HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that UnitedHealthcare's innovative care management solution in the Phoenix market will improve diabetes prescription drug adherence. According to the recent West Health Plan Analysis, the use of non-physician, credentialed providers is intended to create virtual medical homes that allow non-traditional providers, such as pharmacists, wellness coordinators and lifestyle coaches, to recommend and coordinate necessary prescription adjustments.

14 Dec 2010

Genomic Health announces results of Oncotype DX test in early-stage breast cancer patients

"We provide optimal care to breast cancer patients when we treat the underlying biology of their individual tumors," said Steven Shak, MD, chief medical officer of Genomic Health.

14 Dec 2010

State roundup: New Dem Gov. and Minn. Medicaid; Fla. docs on Medicaid changes; Iowa Gov. eyes long-term care loopholes; Conn. provider rates

Over the past decade, programs that integrate Medicaid and Medicare have resulted in improved consumer satisfaction, better health outcomes and lower Medicaid costs in Arizona, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Wisconsin and Washington. In each case, states have had to change their Medicaid rules by attaining a waiver from the federal government (Vestal, 12/13).

13 Dec 2010

Consumers, employers and insurers work to incorporate reform's new rules

Big employers and insurers continue to brace for health reform's changes and new rules. In other news, CalPERS gives the new health law positive early reviews while other reports focus on how reform could impact Medicare coverage.

13 Dec 2010

1099 repeal foiled again, Politico reports

News outlets report on a number of Capitol Hill developments, including the latest failed attempt to repeal the 1099 reporting provision of the health overhaul.

13 Dec 2010

OpEds: Ryan on 'welfare state'; Wisconsin health care; Facing AIDS; Penn. safety net

Government health programs can help fulfill the mission of health security, but the current structures of Medicare, Medicaid - and now Obamacare - rely on a faulty architecture that puts the federal government in charge on health care decision-making.

13 Dec 2010

U-M's participation in Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration Project helps save over $15 million

Medicare patients with a host of physical problems are getting better care at the University of Michigan Health System, and U-M staff have saved more than $15 million on the cost of that care over four years.

13 Dec 2010

House clears the Medicare 'doc fix' for the President's signature; Senate falls short of passing 9/11 bill

In the midst of the lame duck session, House lawmakers approve a one-year Medicare pay fix for physicians — clearing the measure for the president's signature.

10 Dec 2010

Research roundup: For-profit hospitals' readmission rate, containing self-referrals, children's dental health, revisiting McAllen

For-Profit Hospital Status And Rehospitalizations At Different Hospitals: An Analysis of Medicare Data - "Rehospitalization within the first 30 days of discharge affects 1 in 5 hospitalized Medicare fee-for-service patients and costs approximately $17.4 billion in payments annually ... the top 4 factors most related to the risk for rehospitalization at a different facility were initial admission to a for-profit index hospital … lower-volume index hospital (hospitals with <1000 annual discharges) … hospital with a major medical school affiliation … and being disabled."

10 Dec 2010

Medicare News and Research

Nation's leading health care systems collaborate to improve quality while reducing costs

CRS report details regs issued since passage of health overhaul

Sun-Times: Medicare wants pharmacists out of Plan D decision-making process

Today's Opinions: Reviewing judge's ruling on health law's individual mandate

First Edition: December 15, 2010

Customer satisfaction with health insurance falls 2.7%, says ACSI report

CMS increases reimbursement rate for Cylex's immune cell function assay by 267%

New HHS Strategy on Multiple Chronic Conditions

Report examines ways to improve care for Medicare's dual eligibles

New study finds health law will aid those close to retirement age

Watson files generic Exalgo ANDA, confirms patent challenge from Mallinckrodt

UnitedHealthcare's care management solution will improve diabetes prescription drug adherence: Study

Genomic Health announces results of Oncotype DX test in early-stage breast cancer patients

State roundup: New Dem Gov. and Minn. Medicaid; Fla. docs on Medicaid changes; Iowa Gov. eyes long-term care loopholes; Conn. provider rates

Consumers, employers and insurers work to incorporate reform's new rules

1099 repeal foiled again, Politico reports

OpEds: Ryan on 'welfare state'; Wisconsin health care; Facing AIDS; Penn. safety net

U-M's participation in Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration Project helps save over $15 million

House clears the Medicare 'doc fix' for the President's signature; Senate falls short of passing 9/11 bill

Research roundup: For-profit hospitals' readmission rate, containing self-referrals, children's dental health, revisiting McAllen

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Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

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How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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