Medicare News and Research

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Today's Op-Eds: HMOs, the 'fixed' middlemen; you can't keep your coverage; the (in) effectiveness of medical cost control

Wouldn't it be better to let HMOs compete to offer the cheapest most innovative plans-rather than having the plans defined by new exchanges that must follow federal rules and meanwhile allow the HMOs a generous fixed middleman share of total health pie.

23 Nov 2010

UnitedHealthcare introduces Pharmacy Saver program to provide affordable prescription drugs

UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group company, announced a new program that will enable enrollees in the company's market-leading Medicare plans to save money on hundreds of prescription medications in 2011.

23 Nov 2010

Landmark comparative study supports more frequent hemodialysis

NxStage® Medical, Inc., a leading manufacturer of innovative dialysis products, today commented on the just- released findings of the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Daily Trial that compared in-center hemodialysis administered under a three times per week schedule ("conventional dialysis") versus six shorter sessions per week ("short daily dialysis").

23 Nov 2010

Frequent hemodialysis improves left ventricular mass, physical health than conventional treatment

Frequent hemodialysis improved left ventricular mass (heart size) and self-reported physical health compared to conventional hemodialysis for kidney failure, according to the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Daily Trial funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

23 Nov 2010

Explaining changes to Part D plans, fixing doctors' Medicare reimbursements, fighting hikes in long-term care insurance

News outlets cover various issues related to Medicare, including reports about prescription drug coverage and the continuing debate surrounding physician pay. Meanwhile, long-term care insurance is also an important issue for seniors.

23 Nov 2010

Health law repeal murky as groups press officials, target specific provisions

In an analysis, The New York Times, reports that while "Republicans have a big majority in the House, Democratic control of the Senate and the presidential veto power make repeal [of the health law] or major change impossible. [But] there is another reason. More than a few Republicans know that while the politics of trying to nitpick provisions and curb funding are appealing, any wholesale repeal of major provisions of the health care overhaul is likely to generate a backlash.

23 Nov 2010

Medicare making changes to acknowledge telemedicine's growing use

American Medical News: Through teleconferencing technology, doctors are able to treat patients who live far away without access to a specialist. "Nationwide, telemedicine increasingly is being used to bridge gaps in access to care in rural and other medically underserved communities that have a hard time recruiting physicians.

23 Nov 2010

Debt woes keep harsh guidelines aloft, forge unlikely alliances

A controversial debt panel's advice was initially thought to be heading nowhere fast, but a surprisingly broad consensus that action must be taken to avoid a debt crisis has kept negotiators at the table and given the recommendations unexpected buoyancy, The Washington Post reports.

23 Nov 2010

Mergers among hospitals and doctors spur consumer concerns, The NY Times reports

The New York Times: "[E]ight months into the new law there is a growing frenzy of mergers involving hospitals, clinics and doctor groups eager to share costs and savings, and cash in on the incentives [provided in the overhaul]. They, in turn, have deployed a small army of lawyers and lobbyists trying to persuade the Obama administration to relax or waive a body of older laws intended to thwart health care monopolies, and to protect against shoddy care and fraudulent billing of patients or Medicare.

23 Nov 2010

Omega announces expiration of Senior Notes due 2020

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. announced today that its offer to exchange any and all of its outstanding $200 million of 7½% Senior Notes due 2020 that were issued in a private placement in February 2010, for $200 million of 7½% Senior Notes due 2020 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, November 22, 2010.

22 Nov 2010

UC San Diego designated as Blue Distinction Center

UC San Diego Health System has been designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery and a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. This honor is awarded to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality health care in certain specialty medical areas by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

22 Nov 2010

The conservative way forward on health care

The landslide Republican victory, in taking the House and electing some strong conservatives to the Senate, can be interpreted as a mandate to rein in government spending, and specifically to repeal ObamaCare, as these issues were clearly behind the large turnout. There is still a very real possibility the Supreme Court will find the “individual mandate” to buy private insurance unconstitutional. If this provision is thrown out, it’s hard to see how the law survives, since the mandate is needed to finance it.

22 Nov 2010

Research roundup: Health IT and malpractice; Wide variation in hospital rates; Income and insurance offerings

New England Journal of Medicine: Medical Malpractice Liability In The Age Of Electronic Health Records - "Providers can expect a varied and shifting landscape of medical liability risks and benefits as the adoption of [electronic health records] EHRs unfolds," write the authors who explore the ways EHRs may bring about long-term changes in standard of care and affect the course of malpractice litigation.

22 Nov 2010

Humana to acquire Concentra for $790 million

Humana Inc. today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Concentra Inc., a privately held health care company based in Addison, Texas, for approximately $790 million in cash. Through its affiliated clinicians, Concentra delivers occupational medicine, urgent care, physical therapy and wellness services to workers and the general public from more than 300 medical centers in 42 states.

22 Nov 2010

KHN column: The Roadmap lives

In his latest Kaiser Health News column, James Capretta writes: "Last year, Rep. Paul Ryan's 'Roadmap' -- his far-reaching plan to restore long-term budget balance through tax and entitlement reform -- was the subject of relentless attacks by those favoring a larger government role in American life. New York Times columnist Paul Krugman called Ryan the 'Flimflam Man' in a widely cited opinion piece in which he tried to dismiss the Roadmap as not a credible solution to the nation's budget problems.

22 Nov 2010

UAHC first quarter revenues increase 20.3% to $2.1 million

United American Healthcare Corporation today announced financial results for the Company's fiscal first quarter ended Sept. 30, 2010, which included higher revenues and improved bottom line results.

22 Nov 2010

First Edition: November 22, 2010

Today's headlines offer a range of health policy stories, including more reports on deficit reduction issues, the continuing politics swirling around the health law repeal effort and employers' soaring health care costs.

22 Nov 2010

2011 RAC Summit prepares physicians for new audit landscape

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama this past March greatly expands the audit operations for Medicare and Medicaid programs. At the hub of these efforts are the Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs), which are fully operational for the Medicare program, and will expand to include services reimbursed by state Medicaid programs in April of 2011.

22 Nov 2010

Rush to merge doctors and hospitals is raising consumers' concerns

When Congress passed the health care law, it envisioned doctors and hospitals joining forces, coordinating care and holding down costs, with the prospect of earning government bonuses for controlling costs.

22 Nov 2010

Researchers to discuss latest advances in Alzheimer's research

Today, America's biopharmaceutical research companies highlighted the 98 new medicines in the pipeline for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, either in clinical trials or awaiting FDA review.

20 Nov 2010