Medicaid News and Research

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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.

States deal with hospital fees, medical industry concerns and levies on physician payments

Recent state developments include a pending tax on hospitals in California, resistance to health system change in the Missouri medical community and a proposed tax on physician fees in Michigan.

8 Oct 2009

NCG Medical takes part in new CCHIT certification program

NCG Medical announces Perfect Care EHR®'s participation in The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology's (CCHIT®) new certification program.

8 Oct 2009

While some votes are still in play, other lawmakers vie for audience with Reid

Members are fighting for a seat at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's table as he merges the Senate's two versions of health legislation in order to bring the measure to the floor.

8 Oct 2009

New web-based tool to strengthen informed patient consent process launched

Krames, the leader in patient education, has announced the release of Krames Patient Consent, a comprehensive web-based tool designed to strengthen and streamline every aspect of the informed consent process.

8 Oct 2009

House Democratic caucus considers larger Medicaid expansion, public option

House Democrats emerged from a caucus meeting Wednesday without a clear sense of how they will tackle the remaining problem of a public option, but may push a larger Medicaid expansion than initially proposed.

8 Oct 2009

RWJF announces winners of the 2009 Community Health Leaders Award

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is proud to announce the 2009 recipients of its Community Health Leaders (CHL) Award, honoring 10 individuals who have overcome daunting odds to improve the health and quality of life for disadvantaged or underserved men, women and children across the United States.

8 Oct 2009

Legislation increasing states' role in health reform

TIME reports that states "could have a surprising degree of autonomy in determining how they implement" federal health reforms. "Though most everyone recognizes that the federal government can't impose a rigid approach, some critics say that the crucial version of legislation expected to pass Senator Max Baucus' Finance Committee in the next week ... may go too far in the other direction."

8 Oct 2009

States speak up: Medicaid spending among top issues for most states

Today's state news reports look to Washington. Medicaid expansions could squeeze states' budgets and some local lawmakers are taking their concerns to counterparts in Congress. At the same time, they hope to carve out room for states to find their own solutions.

8 Oct 2009

Diabetech and Cinterion Wireless Modules announce their collaboration on fourth generation GlucoMON platform

Cinterion Wireless Modules, the global leader in cellular machine-to-machine (M2M) communication modules, and Diabetech, the leader in patient-centric health care programs, today announced their collaboration on the fourth generation GlucoMON® platform, the world’s easiest-to-use wireless diabetes management system designed to help the over 220 million people worldwide struggling to manage the global diabetes and pre-diabetes pandemic.

7 Oct 2009

CML Healthcare Income Fund to acquire two medical imaging operations

CML HealthCare Income Fund (the "Fund" or "CML HealthCare"), (TSX: CLC.UN) today announced that its operating subsidiary, CML HealthCare Inc. ("CML") has entered into definitive agreements to acquire two medical imaging operations comprising six centers located in the Northeast United States.

7 Oct 2009

HMS bags a three-year utilization review contract from University of Massachusetts Medical School

HMS today announced that the University of Massachusetts Medical School on behalf of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EHS) Office of Medicaid has awarded a contract to Permedion, Inc., HMS's wholly owned subsidiary, to provide utilization management of inpatient and outpatient services rendered to members of MassHealth. MassHealth is the Massachusetts Medicaid program.

7 Oct 2009

Uncertainty regarding clinical effectiveness is a key issue in coverage decisions: Study

A comparison of national agencies that play a role in determining drug coverage decisions in Britain, Canada and Australia finds that uncertainty regarding clinical effectiveness is a key issue in coverage decisions, with other factors including the ability to negotiate price and societal values, according to a study in the October 7 issue of JAMA.

7 Oct 2009

Humana announces expansion of its Medicare offerings in California

Humana Inc. announced today an expansion of its Medicare offerings in California. Beginning on November 15, individuals eligible for Medicare in Fresno, San Bernardino and Riverside counties can enroll in a local Humana Gold Plus HMO plan – for a January 1, 2010 effective date.

7 Oct 2009

Award-winning GWTG hospitals have lower mortality rates for heart attack and heart failure patients: Study

Hospitals receiving performance awards from the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) quality improvement initiative have lower mortality rates for heart attack and heart failure patients than all other hospitals, according to a new study.

7 Oct 2009

Magazine compiles rankings of U.S. nursing homes

U.S. News & World Report examines government data from more than 15,500 nursing homes to determine which are the nation's best: "At the core of the rankings is the data and ratings found on Nursing Home Compare, a federal website created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

7 Oct 2009

Minorities support reform ad campaign, although immigrants may get little relief from legislation

Analysts suggest that health reform legislation may do little to help Hispanics -- many of whom could remain uninsured due to immigration restrictions and costs -- as well as other immigrants. Meanwhile, African-American and Hispanic groups unite with an advertising campaign to push for health care reform.

7 Oct 2009

For one senior, Medicaid provides model care

Also as part of the "Are You Covered?" series, NPR's Jeff Brady profiles Gracie Scarrow, 94. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure she didn't have the money to pay for the care she needed.

7 Oct 2009

States face rising Medicaid rolls under health reform

As part of the ongoing "Are You Covered?" series done in conjunction with Kaiser Health News, NPR profiles a 94-year-old Medicaid recipient in Colorado, who lives in a nursing home largely paid for by her Medicaid coverage. Gracie Scarrow and her daughter, Lela Petersen, both "say they are very satisfied with the program."

6 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 6, 2009

Kathy Young, the veteran benefits administrator for a large plumbing supply company headquartered in Madison, Wis., is well versed in the often fiendish complexities of medical bills (Kaiser Health News and The Washington Post).

6 Oct 2009

Comprehensive Medicare coverage from Priority Health

Priority Health announced today it is expanding both its Medicare Advantage service area and the Medicare Advantage products it will offer effective Jan. 1, 2010. Residents in 31 Michigan counties will be able to choose Priority Health Medicare Advantage coverage in 2010, up from 23 counties in 2009.

6 Oct 2009