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Lawmakers, though still elbowing, agree on some health care reforms

Lost in the debate over key issues is the fact that lawmakers working on health care reform agree on major parts of reform, The Los Angeles Times reports.

28 Aug 2009

Research round-up: Highlights from recent releases

American Health Care Association (AHCA): State-by-State Medicare Cuts to Nursing Homes -- "A new [AHCA] analysis of the pending House health reform bill [HR 3200], combined with the impact of a recently-enacted Medicare regulation cutting Medicare-funded nursing home care by $12 billion over ten years, finds seniors in fifteen states requiring nursing and rehabilitative care will face total funding cuts in excess of $1 billion over that same time period," according to an AHCA description of the study. "The assessment was based on the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score of both HR 3200 and the recent CMS funding rule, along with Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) utilization data." A breakdown of each of the 15 states facing ten-year billion dollar cuts to Medicare-funded nursing homes is available online (8/20).

28 Aug 2009

Physician payment plan stirs concern over reform efforts

Issues surrounding physician payments and addressing the primary care doctor shortage are central to health care reform efforts.

28 Aug 2009

AHCA applaudes thirty-one state Attorneys General for sending a letter to HHS Secretary

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) today applauded thirty-one state Attorneys General for sending a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, calling for the suspension and revision of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS') Nursing Home Five Star Rating System.

28 Aug 2009

Senior citizens are paying escalating cost for their health care says HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today issued a new report, America’s Seniors and Health Insurance Reform: Protecting Coverage and Strengthening Medicare. The report highlights the problems with the status quo that leave seniors paying escalating costs for their health care while outlining how health insurance reform will strengthen Medicare and protect coverage for seniors.

28 Aug 2009

MCRA and PearlDiver Technologies to offer claims-based analyses and reports using common coding by physicians

Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisers, LLC, the leading musculoskeletal consulting firm focused on regulatory, clinical, intellectual property, quality assurance and reimbursement strategy development, announced a strategic alliance with PearlDiver Technologies Inc., Fort Wayne, IN.

28 Aug 2009

Stark: Blue Dog Dems 'just want to cause trouble'

During a conference call with reporters on Thursday, Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., chairman of the Ways and Means health subcommittee, suggested that Blue Dog Democrats "just want to cause trouble" when it comes to the changes they have sought in pending health care legislation, the Associated Press reports.

28 Aug 2009

Hospitals could see windfall from overhaul; while Obama calls for doctors' support

Hospitals may get billions of dollars in profit from a health care overhaul deal while President Obama asks doctors to promote health care fix.

28 Aug 2009

New rule from CMS for improving stroke patient care in hospitals

A new rule from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS Final FY 2010 Rule) focuses on improving stroke patient care in hospitals. Beginning 2010, hospitals submitting Medicare claims for stroke must let CMS know if they participate in a database registry for stroke care, such as that maintained by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) quality improvement initiative.

28 Aug 2009

Premier’s group buy program helps hospitals to save more than $74 million in 2008

At a time when hospital operating margins are paper thin, the Premier healthcare alliance is helping its members achieve enhanced savings through its hospital group buy program. Members who utilized the program generated savings of more than $74 million in 2008.

27 Aug 2009

MN Community Measurement publishes cost and quality information together to help consumers make informed decisions about their health care

In a significant step toward bringing cost and quality information together to help consumers make informed decisions about their health care, MN Community Measurement has published new information about how much medical groups are paid to provide more than 100 common health care services. MN Community Measurement, a nonprofit organization, already provides objective information on the quality of health care through its Web site, www.mnhealthscores.org.

27 Aug 2009

New analysis tool from Sg2 to help hospitals gear up for reform-driven payment changes

To help hospitals and health systems prepare for the impending payment changes associated with health care reform initiatives and a changing incentive structure, Sg2, a future-focused health care intelligence company, has released an innovative new tool -- the Sg2 Reform Readiness Analysis.

27 Aug 2009

Boston Scientific extends its sympathies to Senator Kennedy's family

Our tribute - and pledge - to Senator Kennedy is to continue working relentlessly on behalf of patients, many of whom saw him as their most dedicated champion and for whom medical innovation offers the greatest hope for restored health.

27 Aug 2009

Prescription Solutions launches consumer website that features updated content and drug pricing tool

Prescription Solutions, a leading pharmacy benefits management organization and a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company, today announced the launch of its refreshed consumer website, www.PrescriptionSolutions.com, featuring enhanced functionality, updated content, and simplified navigation. The site makes prescription drug information more accessible and provides education customers need to make informed health care choices.

27 Aug 2009

GeckoSystems' CPT codes increase the cost/benefit ratios of personal robots

GeckoSystems Intl. Corp. (PINKSHEETS: GCKO) announced today that the new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes recently approved, for physicians only, will further enhance the cost/benefit ratios of personal companion robots for family care. These new CPT codes will increase physician productivity and revenue by billing for activities that have previously been considered unpaid administrative time for non-physical consultations such as telephonic or on-line consumer care using home monitoring medical devices.

27 Aug 2009

American Scientific Resources to acquire the intellectual property of Disintegrator home needle destruction device

American Scientific Resources, Inc. (Pink Sheets: ASFX) (the Company), today confirmed that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire the intellectual property to the Disintegrator home needle destruction device (NDD) (U.S. Patent No. 6,384,362 Patent Application No.: 09/500,504).

27 Aug 2009

Detroit area physical therapist involved in a conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program

Detroit area physical therapist Jay Jha, 45, pleaded guilty today to participating in a conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program of approximately $18.3 million, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Terrence I. Berg of the Eastern District of Michigan and Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced.

27 Aug 2009

Insphere's corporate communications and media relations to be headed by Hill & Knowlton

Leveraging opportunities within the largest and fastest growing segments of the insurance industry, newly launched Insphere Insurance Solutions(SM) (www.insphereinsurancesolutions.com) has engaged Hill & Knowlton to lead its corporate communications and media relations efforts.

27 Aug 2009

Town halls continue across the country

Boos and cheers at events across the nation indicate that the often-tense and vitriolic August town halls continue. Sen. John McCain, D.-Ariz., "said Tuesday that President Obama's efforts to reform health care have sparked 'a peaceful revolt in America,'" CNN reports.

27 Aug 2009

Specialty doctors displeased with American Medical Association Representation

The American Society of Medical Doctors (ASMD) today released additional results from a nationwide, nonpartisan poll of physicians showing that 86 percent of specialty doctors feel that the American Medical Association has become too political and has lost touch with the doctors it is supposed to represent.

27 Aug 2009

Medicare News and Research

Lawmakers, though still elbowing, agree on some health care reforms

Research round-up: Highlights from recent releases

Physician payment plan stirs concern over reform efforts

AHCA applaudes thirty-one state Attorneys General for sending a letter to HHS Secretary

Senior citizens are paying escalating cost for their health care says HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

MCRA and PearlDiver Technologies to offer claims-based analyses and reports using common coding by physicians

Stark: Blue Dog Dems 'just want to cause trouble'

Hospitals could see windfall from overhaul; while Obama calls for doctors' support

New rule from CMS for improving stroke patient care in hospitals

Premier’s group buy program helps hospitals to save more than $74 million in 2008

MN Community Measurement publishes cost and quality information together to help consumers make informed decisions about their health care

New analysis tool from Sg2 to help hospitals gear up for reform-driven payment changes

Boston Scientific extends its sympathies to Senator Kennedy's family

Prescription Solutions launches consumer website that features updated content and drug pricing tool

GeckoSystems' CPT codes increase the cost/benefit ratios of personal robots

American Scientific Resources to acquire the intellectual property of Disintegrator home needle destruction device

Detroit area physical therapist involved in a conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program

Insphere's corporate communications and media relations to be headed by Hill & Knowlton

Town halls continue across the country

Specialty doctors displeased with American Medical Association Representation

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