Medicare News and Research

RSS

HMS announces the acquisition of IntegriGuard

HMS today announced that it has acquired the business of IntegriGuard LLC, an ISO-certified and URAC-accredited organization devoted to the prevention and detection of fraud, waste, and abuse in the healthcare system. The company is based in Omaha, Nebraska and will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of HMS Holdings Corp.

1 Oct 2009

President and Congress delve into age rating

The president and Congress are delving into issues of age rating, which most acutely affects people in their fifties and early sixties before they qualify for Medicare.

1 Oct 2009

Finance panel continues march to the floor, considers a number of health bill amendments

At the end of a long day of amendments to the Finance Committee's health bill, Sen. Chuck Grassley won approval of a provision to raise rural doctor Medicare reimbursement rates. Meanwhile, other senators hope to make adjustments in the bill.

1 Oct 2009

Health care TV ads top $100 million

"Medical providers, businesses and other groups battling over a health care overhaul have spent more than $100 million this year on television advertising — an enormous sum that highlights the stakes involved," according to the Campaign Media Analysis Group, The Associated Press/The Boston Globe reports.

1 Oct 2009

Better use of Medicare data could help cut costs

Economists say better use of Medicare data could help make health care less expensive while the federal program faces some cuts under current legislation.

30 Sep 2009

Third version of Personal Wellness electronic Record released by The Quantum Group

The Quantum Group, Inc. announced that the third version of PWeRTM (Personal Wellness electronic RecordTM), PWeR 3.0, has deployed according to schedule. PWeR is the one patient, one record™ medical record platform that the Company believes is a relevant and real solution to meet current federal healthcare mandates and stimulus programs.

30 Sep 2009

First edition: September 30, 2009

A look at today's headlines offers evidence that just about everyone is talking about yesterday's Senate Finance Committee blow to the public option and if -- and how -- the concept will survive.

30 Sep 2009

Strategies to facilitate new, rapid payment system for medical care

A new RAND Corporation study outlines methods that might be used to test a novel payment system for medical care that would provide doctors, hospitals and other health providers a set fee for treating an ailment such as hip replacement surgery.

30 Sep 2009

SNM calls on Congress to support the CARE Bill

SNM is calling on Congress to support the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act (CARE bill), which would ensure that states set minimum education and credentialing standards for nuclear medicine technologists. The bill (H.R. 3652) was introduced Sept. 28 in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.).

30 Sep 2009

AeroScout to provide RFID Asset Tracking And Management Solutions for Premier’s ASCEND program

Following the recent announcement of an agreement between Premier Purchasing Partners, L.P., and AeroScout, the Premier healthcare alliance announced today that it has selected AeroScout as the sole source provider of RFID Asset Tracking and Management solutions for Premier’s ASCEND™ program.

30 Sep 2009

New cost-effective dental and vision care coverage options from UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare’s Golden Rule Insurance Company has introduced new cost-effective dental and vision care coverage options for individuals and families in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, South Dakota and Wyoming.

30 Sep 2009

Senate Finance votes down Rockefeller amendment, 15-8

The Senate Finance Committee has rejected 15-8 an amendment by Sen. John D. Rockefeller to include a government-run public option in the committee's draft proposal.

30 Sep 2009

Administrative expenses of Medicare plans rose in 2008

Per member administrative costs grew by 8.3% in 2008, compared with 3.3% in 2007. Adjusting for changes in product mix, administrative expense growth increased to 10.2% in 2008 from 1.9% in 2007.

30 Sep 2009

Automated SafetySurveillor system to detect healthcare-associated infections

The Premier healthcare alliance today announced that Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center of Midlothian, Va., selected Premier’s SafetySurveillor® Web-based infection tracking and antimicrobial utilization tool. More than 270 hospitals use SafetySurveillor to help prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and optimize antibiotic use, thereby protecting patients more effectively while safely reducing hospital costs.

30 Sep 2009

Democrats ready to battle amongst themselves over public plan

Democrats are set to spar — among themselves — on inclusion of a government-run public option for health insurance coverage during Finance Committee action today.

30 Sep 2009

Two new short term health insurance plans to meet people’s needs

UnitedHealthcare’s Golden Rule Insurance Company is introducing two new short term health insurance plans in North Carolina and West Virginia designed to meet people’s needs for more flexible and cost-effective approaches to coverage.

30 Sep 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

It is the Republicans' right to choose this course of hard-line opposition. But, just as surely, Democrats are the majority party in Congress. And we have a responsibility to lead (Sen. Tom Harkin, 9/29).

30 Sep 2009

Finance Senators picking sides as panel continues health bill markup

Politico: "Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus faces multiple challenges as he gavels in another week of work on health care Tuesday. High on the list: controlling the drama in the hearing room."

30 Sep 2009

Survey reveals that majority of Americans are happy with their life

Now that the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh is over and the UN completed its one-day global warming summit, many are saying that measuring economic vitality should have more to do with people's overall happiness. Based on that, BIGresearch asked 6,976 Americans in their September American Pulse™ Survey to rate how happy they are with their life, their job and their health.

30 Sep 2009