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New coverage for colorectal cancer screening to drive US markets for gastrointestinal endoscopy devices in 2010

According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, new coverage instituted under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 will remove the financial disincentives associated with colorectal cancer screening for a large segment of the US population. As a result of these changes in reimbursement, a growing number of colorectal cancer screening procedures will be performed through 2014, driving sales of many gastrointestinal endoscopy devices, including videoscopes and biopsy forceps.

20 Aug 2010

CMS: Seniors will see modest increase in Medicare drug premiums but improved benefits

The Associated Press: "Seniors will see a modest increase in their Medicare prescription premiums next year but benefits will also improve, federal health officials said Wednesday. The average monthly premium charged by Medicare drug plans for standard coverage will rise to an estimated $30 in 2011, an increase of $1 over 2010..." But, the AP notes that "Medicare prescription plans vary widely in costs and benefits.

20 Aug 2010

Schwarzenegger announces Calif. health IT network plan

Los Angeles Times: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a high-tech vision for his state Tuesday, including an unprecedentedly broad computer network. "Schwarzenegger joined U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra at the UC Davis Cancer Center on Tuesday to announce the launch of the country's largest 'telehealth' system, which organizers say will one day connect patients to hundreds of hospitals and clinics statewide using broadband technology." The broadband network will be devoted entirely to the health care sector (Hennessy-Fiske, 8/18).

20 Aug 2010

Quality issue roundup: J & J revamping controls; The odds for orthopedic surgery; Automatic prescription refills and patient compliance

The New York Times: Johnson & Johnson has said it will "revamp its quality controls, creating a single framework for its drug, medical device and consumer health care divisions." The move comes after the drugmaker saw a number of recalls of its medicines, such as Tylenol and Motrin, as well as probes by a congressional committee and the FDA into actions at its McNeil Consumer Healthcare subsidiary.

20 Aug 2010

KHN column: For cost control, vouchers and Medicare don't mix

In his latest Kaiser Health News column, Austin Frakt writes: "With the ambition of reducing the federal debt, Congressman Paul Ryan has offered a proposal to convert Medicare to a voucher-based program.

20 Aug 2010

Today's Opinions: Vouchers and Medicare; The shortage of doctors; Eliminating health system's disparities; Protecting cancer patients

With the ambition of reducing the federal debt, Congressman Paul Ryan has offered a proposal to convert Medicare to a voucher-based program. … Though rarely described this way, the private Medicare Advantage plans are a (voluntary) voucher system (Austin Frakt, 8/19).

20 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 19, 2010

In the news today, modest premium increases are ahead for Medicare drug plans while a survey finds that big employers expect health cost hikes in 2011.

20 Aug 2010

Emunamedica licenses technology for near-infrared wound monitor from Drexel University

Patients with diabetes-associated wounds could receive faster and more effective treatment thanks to a non-invasive device that monitors wound healing and is one step closer to market. Emunamedica LLC, a Florida-based healthcare start-up, has licensed technology for a near-infrared wound monitor from Drexel University. The device was developed by Dr. Elisabeth Papazoglou and Dr. Leonid Zubkov of Drexel's School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems in collaboration with Dr. Michael S. Weingarten, M.D. of Drexel College of Medicine and their teams.

19 Aug 2010

Hospitals grapple with increasing ER visits; LA officials order changes to boost patient safety; Mass. nurse fired after reporting problem

"Hartford Hospital opened an expanded emergency department this month, with new rooms and triage areas meant to keep up with an increase in patient visits. Across town, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center is preparing to double its emergency department space as part of a new 10-story tower set to open next spring. UConn's John Dempsey Hospital expanded its emergency department earlier this year in response to rising patient volume, but there are still days when patients wait in the hallways because the rooms are full. Emergency department visits are increasing in Connecticut and across the country, and doctors say they are likely to become even busier as health reform rolls out."

19 Aug 2010

Policy restrictions for certain medications lead to decreased drug use and substantial savings for insurers

Policies that restrict reimbursement for certain medications can save money for health insurers without driving patients to seek other kinds of health care, a new review of studies suggests.

19 Aug 2010

Podiatrist reduces leg amputation risk in diabetics: Study

People with diabetic foot problems can lower their risk of leg amputation by relying on coordinated care that includes a podiatrist, according to a recent study. For instance, those with diabetes-related foot ulcers can reduce their risk of amputation by 31 percent.

19 Aug 2010

Kansas Health Policy Authority awards HMS contract to conduct Medicaid Subrogation Services

HMS announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Kansas Health Policy Authority to conduct Medicaid Subrogation Services, including Casualty and Estate Recovery services. HMS will identify cases for action and implement best practice recovery procedures.

19 Aug 2010

Today's Opinions: Medicare's legacy and future; Missouri vote on health mandate; Overhaul predictions

Universally affordable care, especially for sick people, is the sweet spot of health care reform. But nearly all health policy experts think you have to swallow the bitter pill of mandated insurance purchases to get there. Seven states have tried to ban insurance discrimination based on pre-existing health conditions without requiring participation in insurance plans from healthy consumers. In each instance, the experiment failed miserably (8/17).

18 Aug 2010

Researchers participate in Alzheimer's Breakthrough Ride to urge Congress make the disease a national priority

This summer, more than 55 researchers participating in the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Ride are cycling relay-style across the country, collecting petition signatures asking Congress to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority. The public response to the petition has been so overwhelming that as the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Riders hit the halfway point in their 67-day route from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. on August 18, they are already more than 80% of the way to their goal of 50,000 signatures.

18 Aug 2010

Hospitals should inform patients about availability of insurance coverage for breast reconstruction: New law

While breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is covered by insurers in New York, many poor, minority, and less educated women do not seek out the procedure. Now, NY Gov. David A. Paterson has signed into law a bill that is aimed at reversing this trend.

18 Aug 2010

Polls: Health care 'very important' in midterms; Voters look at Medicare cuts to reduce deficit

A new CNN poll found that health care remains a big issue for voters ahead of November's midterm elections with more than 80 percent of respondents saying it was very or extremely important to them, The Hill reports.

18 Aug 2010

HDVI's Medical Records Collection and Analysis system integrated with DST Health Solutions' CareAnalyzer

DST Health Solutions, LLC, today announced a business alliance with Health Data Vision, Inc. to integrate HDVI's Medical Records Collection and Analysis (MRCS) system with DST Health Solutions' CareAnalyzer® solution. CareAnalyzer is a comprehensive analytics software suite that combines elements of patient risk, care opportunities and provider performance. The solution is designed to help health plans improve care management and meet reporting requirements for the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®).

18 Aug 2010

Virginia creates health law panel, groups prepare for overhaul changes

Virginia has created a task force to slow health costs and implement health care reform even as the state is suing to stop a key mandate in the law, The Washington Post reports. Gov. Bob McDonnell "introduced the 24-member panel, comprised of legislators, health professionals, doctors and insurers, at a news conference Monday afternoon at the Capitol.

18 Aug 2010

Cigna lobbies to define medical loss ratio on insurers' terms

Cigna has become a player in the insurance industry's lobbying on what should count as medical care under new rules governing health care spending, Kaiser Health News and McClatchy report. "The insurer has stayed in step with larger rivals such as Aetna and WellPoint in an often contentious dialogue with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners — a network of state regulators that's been charged with advising federal officials on implementing the health care law.

18 Aug 2010

Gentiva closes acquisition of Odyssey HealthCare

Gentiva Health Services, Inc., a leading provider of home health and hospice services, today announced the closing of its acquisition of Odyssey HealthCare, Inc. in an all cash transaction for a price of $27 per share of Odyssey common stock, without interest, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.0 billion, including fees and expenses.

18 Aug 2010

Medicare News and Research

New coverage for colorectal cancer screening to drive US markets for gastrointestinal endoscopy devices in 2010

CMS: Seniors will see modest increase in Medicare drug premiums but improved benefits

Schwarzenegger announces Calif. health IT network plan

Quality issue roundup: J & J revamping controls; The odds for orthopedic surgery; Automatic prescription refills and patient compliance

KHN column: For cost control, vouchers and Medicare don't mix

Today's Opinions: Vouchers and Medicare; The shortage of doctors; Eliminating health system's disparities; Protecting cancer patients

First Edition: August 19, 2010

Emunamedica licenses technology for near-infrared wound monitor from Drexel University

Hospitals grapple with increasing ER visits; LA officials order changes to boost patient safety; Mass. nurse fired after reporting problem

Policy restrictions for certain medications lead to decreased drug use and substantial savings for insurers

Podiatrist reduces leg amputation risk in diabetics: Study

Kansas Health Policy Authority awards HMS contract to conduct Medicaid Subrogation Services

Today's Opinions: Medicare's legacy and future; Missouri vote on health mandate; Overhaul predictions

Researchers participate in Alzheimer's Breakthrough Ride to urge Congress make the disease a national priority

Hospitals should inform patients about availability of insurance coverage for breast reconstruction: New law

Polls: Health care 'very important' in midterms; Voters look at Medicare cuts to reduce deficit

HDVI's Medical Records Collection and Analysis system integrated with DST Health Solutions' CareAnalyzer

Virginia creates health law panel, groups prepare for overhaul changes

Cigna lobbies to define medical loss ratio on insurers' terms

Gentiva closes acquisition of Odyssey HealthCare

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