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EDIWatch enters 3-year contract with Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

EDIWatch, Inc., a leading provider of anti-fraud solutions to the healthcare industry and The Arizona Medicaid Agency, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Office of Inspector General are pleased to announce the signing of a three-year contract. The contract will provide a software system that will enable investigators and auditors to analyze detailed claims in order to spotlight patterns of suspicious behavior.

25 Jan 2011

Rodman & Renshaw announces Healthcare Reform Panel Discussion

Rodman & Renshaw, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc., a leading full service investment bank for growth oriented companies today announced that on Thursday, February 3rd, 2011, Rodman will host a Healthcare Reform Panel Discussion

25 Jan 2011

Roundup: Medicaid cuts and waivers; Mental health care; Mass. immigrant care; Minn. medical errors

Local hospitals facing a possible 10 percent cut in Medicaid fees plan to pressure commercial health insurers for better rates, which could drive up costs for everyone. Texas House Republicans unveiled a budget this week that takes aim at Medicaid, the state's second-largest program, behind public education.

21 Jan 2011

Meridian Bioscience first quarter net sales decrease 12% to $37.3 million

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 were $37,263,000 as compared to $42,457,000 for the same period of the prior fiscal year, a decrease of 12%. Net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 were $6,025,000, or $0.15 per diluted share, both decreases of 32% from the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Diluted common shares outstanding for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and 2010 were 41,294,000 and 41,185,000, respectively.

20 Jan 2011

Precedent Health announces formal launch

Precedent Health, Inc., a healthcare company focused on aligning physicians, hospitals and payers by building innovative provider networks, today announced the formal launch of the company. Funding was provided by Heritage Group, LLC, TEXO Ventures, LLC and members of the founding executive team. The company will have its headquarters in Nashville, TN along with a satellite office in Austin, TX.

20 Jan 2011

California's DWC releases new medical bill regulations for public comment

New California electronic medical billing regulations and revised paper medical billing requirements were released January 6th for public comment by California's Division of Workers Compensation (DWC). The regulations, part of the Division's 12-point plan to help control medical costs in California's workers' compensation system, will be signed into law in approximately 60 days.

11 Jan 2011

Biologics receives National Comprehensive Cancer Network recognition

Biologics, Inc., an oncology management company, has been recognized by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) for its commitment to supporting patient access to quality oncology care. For the first time, the NCCN, a not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the world's leading cancer centers, is recognizing commercial payor and non-payor organizations, including Biologics, which support the appropriate, effective, and efficient use of oncology treatment and care of patients through its new NCCN Recognition Program.

11 Jan 2011

Research roundup: Accountable Care Organizations; Electronic health records; Medicaid and deficit reductions

Health Affairs: Accountable Care Organizations: Making Them Work - The January issue of the journal features several articles examining initiatives underway that could help form ACOs, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' "Alternative Quality Contract,"a modified global payment model in which annual payments to medical groups are linked to a per member per month budget.

7 Jan 2011

MAXIMUS signs Eligibility Support Services contract with HHSC

MAXIMUS, a leading provider of government services, announced today that it has signed the previously announced Eligibility Support Services contract with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The three-year base contract is valued at $315.3 million with an additional two option years.

6 Jan 2011

HIT interventions promising tools in fight to improve medication adherence, despite paucity of data

A new study that reviews more than four decades of medical journal articles about the impact of health information technology (HIT) and electronic communications on medication adherence concludes that while there is evidence to suggest that simple electronic reminders are an effective and low-cost means to improve adherence, there are few studies that show how HIT can be leveraged to more thoughtfully engage or motivate patients to take medications as prescribed.

24 Dec 2010

Electronic health records have only limited effect on improving quality of medical care: RAND study

Use of electronic health records by hospitals across the United States has had only a limited effect on improving the quality of medical care, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

24 Dec 2010

Pennsylvania's Medicaid program error rate less than half the national average, feds say

A new federal report finds Pennsylvania's Medicaid program has an error rate that is less than half the national average and well below estimates claimed in state-level audits, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

21 Dec 2010

AHF calls on Sen. Nelson to address Florida's AIDS drug crisis

On Monday, December 20 at 6:00 PM, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will host a town hall and public forum at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center calling on U.S. Senator Bill Nelson to immediately address Florida's AIDS drug crisis which has left nearly 2,400 patients without access to lifesaving AIDS medications. Town hall attendees will include AIDS advocates, patients, healthcare professionals, community leaders and concerned citizens.

20 Dec 2010

Novartis' Gilenya uptake to increase

A study published this week by ITG revealed that Novartis recently approved drug, Gilenya, has already taken share from market leaders in the multiple sclerosis (MS) market, and uptake is expected to increase significantly over the next year. Gilenya came onto the market in late September as the first FDA-approved oral disease-modifying MS drug, and Novartis initially faced safety concerns and monitoring requirements that deterred some physicians from adopting the new drug.

20 Dec 2010

Study highlights death or rehospitalization rates for Medicare beneficiaries with ischemic stroke

Nearly two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries discharged from hospitals after ischemic stroke die or are readmitted within one year, researchers report in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

17 Dec 2010

UnitedHealthcare's care management solution will improve diabetes prescription drug adherence: Study

HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that UnitedHealthcare's innovative care management solution in the Phoenix market will improve diabetes prescription drug adherence. According to the recent West Health Plan Analysis, the use of non-physician, credentialed providers is intended to create virtual medical homes that allow non-traditional providers, such as pharmacists, wellness coordinators and lifestyle coaches, to recommend and coordinate necessary prescription adjustments.

14 Dec 2010

State roundup: New Dem Gov. and Minn. Medicaid; Fla. docs on Medicaid changes; Iowa Gov. eyes long-term care loopholes; Conn. provider rates

Over the past decade, programs that integrate Medicaid and Medicare have resulted in improved consumer satisfaction, better health outcomes and lower Medicaid costs in Arizona, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Wisconsin and Washington. In each case, states have had to change their Medicaid rules by attaining a waiver from the federal government (Vestal, 12/13).

13 Dec 2010

Quality of care for ADHD children poor under Medicaid, says new report

Whatever its final incarnation, the recently enacted landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will expand Medicaid eligibility and is expected by 2013 to provide coverage, including mental health care, to an estimated 4.1 million children currently uninsured.

13 Dec 2010

Arizona's transplant funding cuts continue to trigger controversy; Florida, Kansas focus on state role in reforms; Wisc. plan would elminate tax on health savings accounts

[Arizona Gov. Jane] Brewer's transplant cutbacks have become a rallying cause for Democrats, who call her decision "Brewercare." It's hypocritical for Republicans to support the program's end while opposing President Barack Obama's health-care legislation on the ground it would create death panels run by bureaucrats, said Anna Tovar, a Democratic state representative from Tolleson (Palmeri, 12/10).

10 Dec 2010

Urgent reform of Medicaid-financed community care for ADHD children needed

The enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 expands Medicare benefits to scores of previously uninsured individuals including many of our nation's children. While access to treatment is laudable, the quality of such treatment is the subject of an article in the December issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

9 Dec 2010