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Change in health care delivery system is certain, says Segal

As the health care reform debate drags on in Congress, change in our health care delivery system is certain, according to Mike Segal, who for the past two decades has worked with physicians to form large practice groups and currently heads the Health Law Practice Group of the Florida law firm Broad and Cassel.

7 Oct 2009

DestinationRx celebrates 10th anniversary

DestinationRx celebrated the company’s 10th anniversary with an announcement at the Health 2.0 Conference today. Even as sweeping healthcare reform is debated in Congress, this observance marks an important milestone for the health plan and drug comparison industry leader.

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

Today's editorials and opinions

In President Obama's Washington, medical specialists are slightly more popular than the H1N1 virus. … [T]he quiet war Democrats are waging on specialists is astonishing (10/6).

7 Oct 2009

Allsup: Disabled people experience difficulty in receiveing much-needed treatment

People with disabilities have crucial healthcare needs, but often experience difficulty in receiving much-needed treatment, according to Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare services.

7 Oct 2009

Patients increasingly charged 'facility fees'

Kaiser Health News/The Washington Post reports that patients are increasingly being charged "facility fees," which are "the result of an obscure change in Medicare rules that occurred nearly a decade ago.

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

'Facility fees' are a surprise cost for many patients

This Kaiser Health News and Washington Post story reported by Sandra Boodman, explores the idea of provider-based billing. This approach "allows hospitals that own physician practices and outpatient clinics that meet certain federal requirements to bill separately for the facility as well as for physician services.

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

$16 million federal stimulus funds establish Seattle as national hub for cancer research

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Group Health Research Institute and the University of Washington schools of Public Health and Pharmacy have been selected to lead four projects backed by approximately $16 million in federal stimulus funding for comparative-effectiveness research in cancer.

7 Oct 2009

Examining the recent winners and losers in the health reform debate

"Pfizer Inc., the world's largest drugmaker, and hospital companies including Community Health Systems Inc. are benefiting from agreements with President Barack Obama that will limit any threat to their profits."

6 Oct 2009

New four-year accreditation for SCAN Health Plan's medical education program

SCAN Health Plan announced today that its continuing medical education program for physicians has received a new four-year accreditation from the Institute of Medical Quality.

6 Oct 2009

Next generation remote monitoring platform to improve healthcare access

UPMC Health Plan today announced a joint initiative with BL Healthcare to address the issues of access to quality healthcare and rising healthcare costs by using technology to provide remote care over broadband. UPMC Health Plan will leverage BL Healthcare's next generation remote monitoring platform to provide unique and innovative services to their members.

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

AAOS to participate in "Get Connected" electronic prescribing program

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) today announced their participation in "Get Connected," a program designed to help more of the nation's physicians and other prescribers use electronic prescribing.

6 Oct 2009

Former HHS Secretary to be the featured speaker of the health care reform Webinar event

TogetherMD announced today Donna Shalala, President of the University of Miami and former Health and Human Services Secretary from 1993 - 2001, is the featured speaker for a candid discussion on health care reform in the United States. Ms. Shalala is well connected in Washington and with other critical stakeholders around the country. She will provide viewers with a unique view on health care reform in the United States.

6 Oct 2009

Top Republicans receive campaign contributions from UnitedHealth

Top Republicans, such as John Boehner and Eric Cantor, who are using Lewin Group findings to scare voters about a "government takeover" of health care, are recipients of campaign contributions from UnitedHealth, one of the largest U.S. providers of Medicare plans and the company that owns Lewin Group.

6 Oct 2009

Patients should ask questions to reduce health care costs

Medical bills can be very complicated and, in some cases, they can also be inaccurate or incomplete. California's Office of the Patient Advocate is encouraging all Californians to ask for clarification if they do not understand their medical bill.

6 Oct 2009