Medicaid News and Research

RSS

Medicaid is the United States health program for eligible individuals and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the states and federal government, and is managed by the states.

State watch: Uninsured kids in Dallas, Louisianna Medicaid rates cut, Massachusetts feeling squeezed

Today's state round-up includes coverage of uninsured children in Dallas, the Massachusetts state budget and a Medicaid rate cut in Louisiana.

27 Oct 2009

Economic Adviser Romer goes to bat for 'Cadillac tax,' ways to control costs

ABC News reports that Christina D. Romer, chair of the president's Council of Economic Advisers, "went to bat on Monday for a tax on high-priced insurance plans, the so-called 'Cadillac tax,' calling it 'probably the number one item that health economists across the ideological spectrum believe is likely to stem the explosion of health-care costs.'"

27 Oct 2009

New guidebook for long term care planning

The good news is that Americans are living longer. The bad news is that millions are outliving their money; and when they need long term care, they face bleak prospects. According to a new guidebook from LTC Financial Partners, LLC (LTCFP), the unprepared are either forced to move into a nursing home funded by Medicaid, or to live with relatives who must disrupt their lives to care for them.

27 Oct 2009

AJPM article calls for increased effectiveness research on clinical preventive services for adolescents

Too little attention is paid to improving the delivery of clinical preventive services to adolescents by addressing problems unique to that population, says a new study commissioned by Partnership for Prevention.

27 Oct 2009

Insurer contracting policies can jeopardize health care system, says NNCC study

A study conducted by National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC) has found that nearly half (48%) of all major managed-care organizations in the United States do not credential or contract with nurse practitioners as primary care providers.

27 Oct 2009

Centene Corporation third-quarter 2009 net earnings increases to $22.7

Centene Corporation today announced its net earnings from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 were $22.7 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared to $18.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2008. The results of operations for our New Jersey health plan, University Health Plans, are classified as discontinued operations.

27 Oct 2009

Mobile application launched to help consumers compare health care costs

Medica today became the first health plan to launch a mobile application to help consumers compare cost information for a variety of medical procedures. The app, based on the Web site MainStreetMedica.com, is available at the iPhone App Store.

27 Oct 2009

Health & Human Services awards Lockheed Martin new information technology contracts

Lockheed Martin has been awarded $170 million in new Health & Human Services (HHS) information technology contracts, all geared toward improving efficiency in our nation's health systems.

27 Oct 2009

President Obama declares H1N1 national emergency

President Barack Obama declared the H1N1 (swine) flu outbreak a national emergency, the Wall Street Journal reports. "The declaration, which Mr. Obama signed Friday, authorizes the administration to waive or modify certain federal requirements involving Medicare, Medicaid and health-privacy rules to speed treatment," the newspaper writes (McKay/Simpson/Whalen, 10/26).

26 Oct 2009

Medicare fraud: One of the most profitable crimes in U.S.

Medicare "provides a rich and steady income stream for criminals who are constantly finding new ways to steal a sizable chunk of the half trillion dollars that are paid out each year in Medicare benefits," 60 Minutes reports. "In fact, Medicare fraud - estimated now to total about $60 billion a year - has become one of, if not the most profitable, crimes in America." Medicare fraud leaves little evidence: an FBI agent in South Florida said "the only visible evidence of the crimes are the thousands of tiny clinics and pharmacies that dot the low-rent strip malls.

26 Oct 2009

Health care legislation benefits insurers, but annual profits are not so hot

The health insurance industry is likely to benefit from a health care overhaul, but industry profits are not as high as many seem to believe.

26 Oct 2009

Health care bills could leave millions uninsured

The cost of health insurance could hinder President Obama's goal of achieving universal coverage.

26 Oct 2009

AMERIGROUP issues new guidance for third quarter 2009

AMERIGROUP Corporation announced today that it expects to report earnings for the third quarter of 2009 in the range of $0.42 to $0.44 per diluted share. The new guidance for the third quarter primarily reflects elevated medical costs associated with the onset of a severe flu season due to the H1N1 virus.

26 Oct 2009

Moderates will determine fate of public option in health bills

It's Sunday, and not surprisingly, the talk is about the public option - especially on what provisions some senators may be willing to accept in a final health bill.

26 Oct 2009

DaVita to demonstrate clinical outcomes, patient care and nutrition through 43 abstracts

DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), in conjunction with DaVita Clinical Research®, today announced that company representatives will deliver 43 abstracts—40 posters and three oral presentations—at this year’s American Society of Nephrology’s (ASN) Renal Week to be held in San Diego, Calif., from Oct. 27 – Nov. 1, 2009.

24 Oct 2009

Healthcare Advisory Partners presents a program on homecare valuations at the NAHC

The following program was presented at the 28th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) in Los Angeles, CA on October 12th, 2009 by Jack Eskenazi, Jr. of Healthcare Advisory Partners and Brian Bruenderman of ResCare, Inc..

24 Oct 2009

Accelify enhances its products to ensure compliance and revenue maximization

Accelify announced today a series of enhancements to its products, services and personnel in Missouri.

24 Oct 2009

New report analyzes similarities, differences, potential impacts and costs of current health reform bills

A new Commonwealth Fund report analyzes the similarities, differences, potential impacts, and costs of current bills passed by the five committees of jurisdiction in the United States Congress: Finance Committee and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees in the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives' Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Energy and Commerce committees.

24 Oct 2009

State reports: Providers struggle to make do with limited resources

Funding cuts are hurting dentists and hospitals, and squeezing providers that continue to treat low-income patients. Meanwhile, Massachusetts loses a key health official.

24 Oct 2009

J.D. Power and Associates certification for Aetna

Aetna (NYSE: AET) has been recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for providing “An Outstanding Customer Service Experience” through its concierge customer service call center. Following a rigorous audit and random survey of Aetna customers, J.D. Power and Associates certified the Aetna call center in High Point, NC, under the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Call Center Certification ProgramSM.

24 Oct 2009