Medicaid News and Research

RSS

Medicaid is the United States health program for eligible individuals and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the states and federal government, and is managed by the states.

Congress members call for open and transparent oversight of Medicare 'competitive' bidding program

A bipartisan group of 136 members of Congress recently requested that the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) disclose the list of homecare providers whose bids were used to calculate home medical equipment reimbursement rates under the Medicare "competitive" bidding program.

25 Aug 2010

MAXIMUS launches Meaningful Use Solutions to help states develop, implement EHR incentive programs

MAXIMUS, Inc., a leading provider of government services worldwide, announced today that it has launched its Meaningful Use Solutions to help states develop and implement their Electronic Health Record incentive programs.

25 Aug 2010

Premier healthcare alliance introduces QualityAdvisor solution for hospitals

The Premier healthcare alliance has officially launched its QualityAdvisor solution to help hospitals prevent harm, reduce costs and readmissions, and improve overall outcomes.

25 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 25, 2010

In today's headlines, news about a Medicare change that may cause an estimated three million seniors to switch their drug coverage.

25 Aug 2010

Kindred subsidiaries to acquire 5 long-term acute care hospitals from Vista Healthcare

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. today announced that its subsidiaries have signed a definitive agreement to acquire five long-term acute care ("LTAC") hospitals from Vista Healthcare, LLC for a purchase price of $180 million in cash.

25 Aug 2010

States look to slow spending, raise money and extend savings for Medicaid

"A plan to cut reimbursement rates to doctors who care for the poor and disabled has led to a tussle between Gov. Bev Perdue and North Carolina physicians. In the current state budget, Perdue and the legislature agreed that Medicaid reimbursement rates would be reduced by $26.6 million or 1.35 percent, if the state found it necessary to close a gap in federal Medicaid funding. Perdue's office says the cut is now necessary. The doctors say the state has access to plenty of federal money and could use a $300 million federal education windfall to avoid cutting the rates".

25 Aug 2010

Fluoridation exposure during childhood prevents adult tooth loss

Children drinking water with added fluoride helps dental health in adulthood decades later, a new study finds.

25 Aug 2010

Health law continues to be embroiled in politics, though toned down

In a bid to rally support for the health overhaul among doctors, a White House official underscored both sticks and carrots the federal government is offering the health industry, Reuters reports: "Administration officials said the new law will provide doctors with information technology and incentives to improve the care they deliver, but only if they cooperate.

25 Aug 2010

Virginia Attorney Gen. approves stricter oversight on abortion clinics; Indiana fails to follow up inspection reports on nursing homes

The Washington Post: "Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II has concluded that the state can impose stricter oversight over clinics that perform abortions, a move immediately decried by abortion-rights organizations and others as an attempt to circumvent the General Assembly, which has repeatedly rejected similar measures.

25 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 24, 2010

In today's headlines, a federal court judge blocks the Obama administration's stem cell policy. Meanwhile, state action related to health reform and health policy continues.

24 Aug 2010

Highmark Foundation’s report documents status of safety net providers to improve health outcomes

Efforts made from a four-year, $4.1 million investment to help safety net providers meet the health care needs of the uninsured are documented in a recent Highmark Foundation report.

24 Aug 2010

Premier Purchasing Partners announces new agreements for surgical mesh, biological mesh

Premier Purchasing Partners, LP, today announced new agreements for surgical mesh and biological mesh. Surgical mesh product agreements have been awarded to: Atrium Medical Corp of Hudson, N.H.; Davol Inc. of Warwick, R.I.; Covidien of Mansfield, Mass.; and Medline Industries Inc. of Mundelein, Ill.

24 Aug 2010

INPUT releases new report on Electronic Health Record Incentive Funding and Certification Program

Contractors will find comprehensive information and current opportunities related to state and local governments' electronic health records (EHR) incentives program through INPUT's Electronic Health Record Incentive Funding and Certification Program.

24 Aug 2010

Experts examine COBRA subsidy program following its expiration

Business Insurance: "The once politically popular program that provides COBRA premium subsidies for involuntarily terminated employees is winding down as broad congressional support has nearly vanished, experts say. Embedded in a 2009 economic stimulus measure and renewed several times since then, the program in which the federal government pays 65% of the COBRA premium has enabled millions of employees who lost their jobs and their dependents to keep group coverage by making it more affordable."

24 Aug 2010

Medica teams up with OptumHealth to deliver CDHPs to all commercial health plan customers

Medica today announced that it has teamed with OptumHealth Financial Services to deliver consumer-directed health plans to all of Medica's commercial health plan customers - making Medica the first health plan in Minnesota to offer a full spectrum of health benefit services to employers of all sizes.

23 Aug 2010

'Village' movement and community health clinics offer alternative models of care

"The village movement dates to the 2001 founding of Beacon Hill Village in Boston. This year, the Village to Village Network launched to help other communities create their own senior support groups. Other sites created to help arrange help for seniors who want to live independently at home: Senior Helpers' services include companionship, conversation, meal planning and house cleaning as well as Alzheimer's and dementia care."

23 Aug 2010

Health overhaul raises regulators' profiles, confuses consumers

Modern Healthcare's 2010 list of the sector's most powerful players is out, and because of the health law, regulators in usually lower-profile federal agencies have carved out places near the top of the roster for the second year in a row. The magazine reports, "Carolyn Clancy, director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, stood at No. 31 on the list three years ago. This year, just as in 2009, she holds the No. 7 spot. Clancy's clout has risen with the agency, which was created 20 years ago to support and conduct healthcare outcomes research."

23 Aug 2010

Aetna offers Employee Assistance Program resources for flood-impacted members

Aetna is making it easier for members impacted by the flooding in Tennessee to refill prescriptions and access employee assistance and behavioral health programs.The company is monitoring the situation carefully, and will re-evaluate its medical and dental policies for members as necessary to help them access care in the flood-impacted areas in Middle Tennessee, where many people face evacuations from their homes.

23 Aug 2010

Sebelius turns political tables on GOP governors on Medicaid; Program's expansion will help homeless

Kaiser Health News: "Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius this week sent a letter to all of America's governors telling them that if they want to continue receiving the enhanced Medicaid funds that Congress approved last week that they have to ask for the money. ... The higher matching rate was originally slated to expire at the end of 2010, but lawmakers interrupted their August recess to approve an extension of enhanced funds, albeit at a lower rate, through June 2011.

21 Aug 2010

Sebelius to governors: Extra Medicaid money comes with a string attached

Kaiser Health News staff writer Andrew Villegas reports: "In this political climate, if you want help, you have to ask for it.

21 Aug 2010

Medicaid News and Research

Congress members call for open and transparent oversight of Medicare 'competitive' bidding program

MAXIMUS launches Meaningful Use Solutions to help states develop, implement EHR incentive programs

Premier healthcare alliance introduces QualityAdvisor solution for hospitals

First Edition: August 25, 2010

Kindred subsidiaries to acquire 5 long-term acute care hospitals from Vista Healthcare

States look to slow spending, raise money and extend savings for Medicaid

Fluoridation exposure during childhood prevents adult tooth loss

Health law continues to be embroiled in politics, though toned down

Virginia Attorney Gen. approves stricter oversight on abortion clinics; Indiana fails to follow up inspection reports on nursing homes

First Edition: August 24, 2010

Highmark Foundation’s report documents status of safety net providers to improve health outcomes

Premier Purchasing Partners announces new agreements for surgical mesh, biological mesh

INPUT releases new report on Electronic Health Record Incentive Funding and Certification Program

Experts examine COBRA subsidy program following its expiration

Medica teams up with OptumHealth to deliver CDHPs to all commercial health plan customers

'Village' movement and community health clinics offer alternative models of care

Health overhaul raises regulators' profiles, confuses consumers

Aetna offers Employee Assistance Program resources for flood-impacted members

Sebelius turns political tables on GOP governors on Medicaid; Program's expansion will help homeless

Sebelius to governors: Extra Medicaid money comes with a string attached

Industry Focus eBook - Neurology/Neuroscience - 2nd edition eBook

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

Latest News