Medicare News and Research

RSS

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

Humana delivers one millionth meal in Well Dine food program

Humana has served nutritious meals to more than 81,000 Humana Medicare Advantage members in 120 cities after a hospital or nursing facility stay since the company's meal-delivery program began in 2006. Yesterday, Well Dine delivered the Humana program's one millionth meal to Humana Medicare Advantage member Sylvia van Dyke, 61, of Knoxville.

20 Nov 2010

CMS notifies Health Net about intermediate sanction on compliance with Part D requirements

Health Net, Inc. announced today that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) notified the company of its intent to impose intermediate sanctions suspending the marketing and enrollment of new members of all Health Net Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) and stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) contracts, effective November 20, 2010.

20 Nov 2010

Nephrologist’s care reduces ESRD development during first year of dialysis: Study

Among kidney disease patients, earlier care from a nephrologist is associated with a decreased likelihood of developing end-stage renal disease and a lower risk of death during the first year of dialysis, according to a study presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 43rd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition.

20 Nov 2010

CAP offers complimentary EHR support services for members

To help its physician members and their office administrators make informed decisions when implementing or upgrading an Electronic Health Record system, this month the Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. began offering complimentary EHR support services exclusively to its more than 11,000 members.

20 Nov 2010

CVS Caremark Customer Care team ranked second in the world for Best Customer Service

CVS Caremark's Pharmacy Benefit Management Customer Care team was ranked second in the world for Best Customer Service with an Internal Contact Center by Contact Center World at the organization's Global Top Ranking Performers Awards Conference in Las Vegas. The awards recognize the best in the contact center industry worldwide.

20 Nov 2010

Survey examines Canadians' overall view of health care system

Today, the Health Council of Canada released survey results from the 2010 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey. The bulletin called, How Do Canadians Rate the Health Care System? examines Canadians' insights into the performance of the health care system.

20 Nov 2010

Palmetto GBA to cover PTNS therapy for patients with overactive bladder

Uroplasty, Inc., a medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets innovative proprietary products to treat voiding dysfunctions, today announced that Palmetto GBA for California, Nevada and Hawaii, a regional Medicare carrier, now covers posterior tibial nerve stimulation using the Urgent PC Neuromodulation System for the treatment of the symptoms of overactive bladder.

20 Nov 2010

Franklin ranked among top 10 hospitals in New York State for joint replacement

Franklin Hospital is ranked the best on Long Island for joint replacement outcomes and also is tops in Nassau County for its overall success in orthopedics and joint replacement, according to the latest national study by HealthGrades.

20 Nov 2010

Early nephrology care associated with lower mortality and incidence of end stage renal disease

Earlier care from a nephrologist reduces the chance of kidney patients developing end-stage renal disease and lowers their risk of death during the first year of dialysis, according to a study by the University of Michigan Kidney Epidemiology & Cost Center.

20 Nov 2010

Health industry players offer insights, expectations about overhaul's impact

Republicans made major gains in the midterm election, running vowing to "repeal and replace" the health law passed with solely Democratic votes earlier this year.

20 Nov 2010

No agreement on health cost containment at bipartisan commission

The Obama administration's bipartisan commission studying efforts to reduce the nation's debt remained at odds after three days of closed door meetings - on how to deal with health care costs.

20 Nov 2010

Senate acts on Medicare doctor pay fix

Although the Senate agreed to postpone for one month cuts in Medicare physician payments, the House must still act, too, in order to delay a scheduled fee reduction that will kick in Dec. 1.This very short-term approach is likely to frustrate the physician community.

20 Nov 2010

Insight Imaging acquires multi-modality imaging center in Roanoke, VA

InSight Health Services Holdings Corp. today announced that it has completed the acquisition of a multi-modality imaging center in Roanoke, VA. The acquisition expands Insight Imaging's presence in Virginia to four locations.

20 Nov 2010