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Study investigates pilot VBBD program to improve adherence to diabetes medications

A recent study led by MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc. investigated a pilot Value-Based Benefit Design program to improve adherence to diabetes medications. The study found that a VBBD program that reduced copayments for diabetes medications by 36 percent reduced the number of non-adherent patients by 30 percent.

5 May 2010

WHO announces new guidelines for production, regulation and control of snake antivenoms

With snake bites killing at least 100 000 people a year and countries facing a shortage of appropriate antivenoms, access to and information about available antivenoms is increasingly important. The World Health Organization (WHO) is publishing new guidelines for the production, regulation and control of snake antivenoms and a website with details on where the venomous snakes are located, what they look like, which antivenoms are appropriate, and where they can be obtained.

5 May 2010

HHS announces $16M award for Geisinger to create Keystone Beacon Community

Today the Department of Health and Human Services announced that Geisinger Health System will receive $16 million to create the Keystone Beacon Community as part of HHS's Beacon Community cooperative program.

5 May 2010

Health Net reports net earnings of $16.1M in 2010 first quarter

Health Net, Inc. today announced 2010 first quarter GAAP net income of $16.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared with $22.0 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2009.

5 May 2010

Data shows rates of colorectal cancer screening vary by race, ethnicity and method

Rates of colorectal cancer screening vary by race and ethnicity as well as method, according to data being presented at Digestive Disease Week- 2010. Scientists examine data on minority and older populations as well as utilization rates of virtual and optical colonoscopies to better understand adherence to recommended screening guidelines.

5 May 2010

Primary care doctors make $3 million less than cardiologists over the course of their careers

A Health Affairs study released Tuesday reports that primary care doctors make much less over the course of their careers than specialists and are leaving potentially millions of dollars on the table by choosing the career path, The Wall Street Journal Health Blog reports.

5 May 2010

Deloitte Survey: Consumers still profess to know very little about health care system in the U.S.

Following widespread media coverage of health care reform, political debates and legislative initiatives over the past year, consumers still profess to know very little about the health care system in the United States, according to the 3rd Annual Deloitte Center for Health Solutions Survey of Health Care Consumers.

5 May 2010

TeleHealth Services announces launch of High Blood Pressure and Stroke Awareness Campaign

TeleHealth Services, the nation's leading provider of interactive patient education systems and healthcare grade televisions for hospitals, today announced the launch of the High Blood Pressure and Stroke Awareness Campaign in support of National Stroke Awareness month, which takes place in May every year.

5 May 2010

Bundling could save health care dollars if snags are overcome

"Bundling payments to hospitals and doctors for episodes of care is gaining momentum in the federal government and in the private sector as a way to increase provider accountability and improve care -- but lingering challenges may deter its application on a broader scale."

5 May 2010

States rely on federal funds to buttress Medicaid programs; Worry about the future

Late last year, when Congress' willingness to pass an enormous health care bill still was very much in doubt, states had a more modest goal that should have been easier to achieve. They wanted Congress to pass a 6-month extension of the part of the economic stimulus program that is helping to pay for their Medicaid programs.

5 May 2010

Researchers receive NIDDK grant to identify pre-diabetes symptoms

A Biodesign team of researchers, led by Randall Nelson, PhD, has received a new five-year, $3.1 million award from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. Their goal is to discover and validate telltale molecular signs to learn how to predict who will develop the disease long before any symptoms of diabetes appear.

5 May 2010

Health IT Roundup: Many obstacles, much promise

The Boston Globe: There is a lingering "professional resistance to electronic records systems that computerization advocates say threatens the goals of the new health care overhaul law. These advocates argue that using computers to track what care patients receive, for instance, is vital to deciding what medications and treatments work best."

5 May 2010

Families need to achieve optimal oral health: New study

According to a new study surveying U.S. moms, a significant majority (69 percent) feel meeting the specific oral health care needs of each family member is very important, however, nearly half of moms (48 percent) report using a "one size fits all" approach when it comes to oral health care products in their home.

5 May 2010

Polls show slowly shifting opinion on health law

USA Today: "Fifty-five percent of Americans rate the nation's health care system as good or excellent, compared with 44% in February and 35% when President Obama first proposed his health care legislation, according to a poll released today by Rasmussen Reports." USA Today notes that even though many of the changes are not going to be implemented until 2014, many insurance companies are voluntarily changing some practices early (Fritze, 5/3).

5 May 2010

High risk pools, medical loss ratios and other health law implementation issues

News outlets report on state high risk pools and other implementation issues for the new health law.

5 May 2010

AARP implores Governor to enact HIE legislation

Legislation that will help modernize medical records, reduce errors, and improve quality of care for all Illinoisans passed both houses of the Illinois General Assembly and is on its way to the Governor's desk. AARP, which backed the measure, is urging Gov. Quinn to sign it into law.

5 May 2010

Biotech industry reviews effects of the recession

Minneapolis Star Tribune, on the Biotechnology Industry Organization's convention in Chicago: "The biotechnology industry, hurt by the recession, is looking for inspiration from Charles Darwin. Leading executives say unless biotech companies adapt to a less-robust economy and changing industry standards, they won't survive the downturn. Biotech start-ups, seen as the lifeblood of the industry, have been among the worst hit by a decline in venture capital investments."

5 May 2010

Health law program may benefit early retirees, big firms

A health law program that will go into effect next month will steer $5 billion to buttress employer-sponsored health plans for retirees who are not yet old enough to qualify for Medicare and have no other options for buying coverage, The Associated Press reports.

5 May 2010

Queensland Health payroll errors still not corrected fully

The payment woes of many Queensland Health care staff continue this pay cycle according to the Queensland Nurses Union. After the installation of a new computerized payroll system this March tens of thousands of health staff have been underpaid, overpaid, or not paid.

4 May 2010

Metropolitan Health Networks reports 2.9% increase in revenue for first-quarter 2010

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc., a leading provider of healthcare services in Florida, today announced the financial results for their first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

4 May 2010

Health Care News and Research

Study investigates pilot VBBD program to improve adherence to diabetes medications

WHO announces new guidelines for production, regulation and control of snake antivenoms

HHS announces $16M award for Geisinger to create Keystone Beacon Community

Health Net reports net earnings of $16.1M in 2010 first quarter

Data shows rates of colorectal cancer screening vary by race, ethnicity and method

Primary care doctors make $3 million less than cardiologists over the course of their careers

Deloitte Survey: Consumers still profess to know very little about health care system in the U.S.

TeleHealth Services announces launch of High Blood Pressure and Stroke Awareness Campaign

Bundling could save health care dollars if snags are overcome

States rely on federal funds to buttress Medicaid programs; Worry about the future

Researchers receive NIDDK grant to identify pre-diabetes symptoms

Health IT Roundup: Many obstacles, much promise

Families need to achieve optimal oral health: New study

Polls show slowly shifting opinion on health law

High risk pools, medical loss ratios and other health law implementation issues

AARP implores Governor to enact HIE legislation

Biotech industry reviews effects of the recession

Health law program may benefit early retirees, big firms

Queensland Health payroll errors still not corrected fully

Metropolitan Health Networks reports 2.9% increase in revenue for first-quarter 2010

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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