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Medicare Advantage's preventive health care strategy keeps seniors out of the hospital

Seniors in Medicare Advantage spent fewer days in a hospital, were subject to fewer hospital re-admissions, and were less likely to have "potentially avoidable" admissions, for common conditions ranging from uncontrolled diabetes to dehydration, according to a new analysis of publicly available AHRQ data released today by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

16 Sep 2009

Health care reform should include protections for retiree health care benefits

The executive director of a national retiree advocacy group has called proposals for nationalized health care (HR 3200) a "back-door bailout" that would enable companies to skip out on fiscal obligations to retirees and stick the taxpayers with the bill.

16 Sep 2009

Primary care shortage could worsen under reform

The shortage of primary care physicians could prove a major challenge to health reform. To make matters worse, some doctors are considering early retirement because of the high cost of practicing medicine.

16 Sep 2009

Breast cancer prevention drugs may negatively affect patients

Three drugs, including tamoxifen, reduce a woman's chance of getting breast cancer, but each drug carries distinct potential harms of its own, according to a new report from HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

16 Sep 2009

Kaiser Permanente launches new state-of-the-art hospital in Downey

Kaiser Permanente has opened a new state-of-the-art 352-bed hospital in Downey, which will provide high-quality, personal, and affordable healthcare in Southeast Los Angeles County for many years into the future.

16 Sep 2009

DaVita achieves target fistula usage rate in Virginia

DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), has been recognized in the state of Virginia for reaching the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network's patient quality improvement goal.

16 Sep 2009

Wisconsin town offers low cost, quality care model

A Wisconsin clinic offers a better model that provides high-quality care and saves the federal government money. CQ HealthBeat reports on the Marshfield Clinic where nurses are readily available, doctors offer coordinated care to manage chronic conditions, and staff follows best practices based on convincing data.

16 Sep 2009

Poll: Majority of doctors support public option

"Most doctors — 63 percent — say they favor giving patients a choice that would include both public and private insurance," NPR reports.

16 Sep 2009

Effective health care reform needed to curtail escalating employee health care costs: Business Roundtable

A new report released today by Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies, finds that annual per employee health care costs will triple to nearly $29,000 over the next decade without significant marketplace reforms that reduce costs, expand coverage and improve delivery.

16 Sep 2009

Insurers fail to keep up with speech technology, deny funding for devices that multi-task

Insurance companies push speech-impaired patients, like one New York woman with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, to buy expensive computers featuring text-to-speech software by refusing to pay for alternative devices, the New York Times reports. Furthermore, they insist on blocking all other capabilities of the proprietary machines they do cover.

16 Sep 2009

Today's Op-Ed selections: Medicare, Medicaid and the Constitution

My patient had just been the recipient of a rare and highly valued medical commodity, a treatment that is as quantifiable in its effects as the milligrams of a medication or the number of stitches in a wound: Time (Daphne Miller, 9/15).

16 Sep 2009

Generic drugs create significant cost savings

Generic drugs and mail-order systems can save health plans money since brand name drugs generally cost 50 percent to 70 percent more than generics.

16 Sep 2009

HITECH Act bonus guarantee program from athenahealth

athenahealth, Inc., a leading provider of Internet-based business services to physician practices, today announced it has launched a program guaranteeing that physicians who use its EHR service, athenaClinicalsSM, will receive a HITECH Act bonus payment under the 2011 program year.

16 Sep 2009

First edition: September 15, 2009

Today's headlines zero in on the soon-to-be unveiled Baucus health bill. Reports indicate it likely will address many GOP concerns but also raising new issues for some Democrats.

15 Sep 2009

National Community Pharmacists Association calls for suspension of the DMEPOS accreditation requirement

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), has written a letter to Charlene Frizzera, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator, urging a suspension of the Medicare Part B Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation requirement scheduled for October 1.

15 Sep 2009

OptiVol for accurate prediction of heart failure

Fluid monitoring with OptiVol® Fluid Status Monitoring is a more accurate predictor of worsening heart failure compared to daily weight monitoring in heart failure patients with implantable devices, according to results released today from the FAST (Fluid Accumulation Status Trial) clinical trial.

15 Sep 2009

Lifemasters files voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code

LifeMasters Supported SelfCare, Inc. ("LifeMasters") today announced that it has filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. LifeMasters' restructured operations are expected to be profitable and sufficient cash is on hand for the restructuring process.

15 Sep 2009

SXC collaborates with Allscripts to enhance e-prescribing solutions

SXC Health Solutions Corp. ("SXC" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SXCI, TSX: SXC), today announced it has entered into a strategic relationship with Allscripts (NASDAQ: MDRX) to enhance the electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) options available to SXC's healthcare benefits management customers.

15 Sep 2009

Ten tips from SCAN Health Plan to help protect your health as you age

The average life expectancy has topped 78 years, giving people more reasons to celebrate and seek ways to protect or improve their health. In recognition of Healthy Aging Month in September, SCAN Health Plan Arizona takes an in-depth look at healthy aging -- mentally and physically -- during television and radio programs this month and offers 10 tips to better health.

15 Sep 2009

Particle beam radiation therapy for cancer cure is better than traditional radiation method

Particle beam radiation therapy, a technology used to treat several types of cancer, is considered by some clinicians to be better than traditional radiation, but there is limited evidence about its safety compared with other types of radiation therapy, according to a new comparative effectiveness report funded by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

15 Sep 2009