Medicare News and Research

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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

American Scientific Resources acquires Safeguard Medical's home needle destruction device patent

American Scientific Resources, Inc. (Pink Sheets: ASFX) (the Company), is excited to announce that it has acquired the intellectual property to the world's only FDA approved home needle destruction device (NDD), the Disintegrator(TM) and Disintegrator Plus(TM) (U.S. Patent No. 6,384,362 Patent Application No.: 09/500,504) (the "Device Technology").

15 Sep 2009

America’s Affordable Health Choices Act helps breast cancer patients recuperate easily

The Breast Cancer Survivor Coalition for Advancement, Reform and Equity (Because we Care) today praised a House of Representatives committee for adopting an amendment to the “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act” (H.R. 3200) that would remove barriers to care for breast cancer survivors.

15 Sep 2009

MedAssurant purchases Catalyst Information Technologies

MedAssurant, Inc., a leading provider of data-driven healthcare solutions, announced today that it has acquired Catalyst Information Technologies, Inc., d/b/a Catalyst Technologies, a leader in healthcare clinical quality outcomes analysis and data analytical toolset development.

15 Sep 2009

Health Dialog's Care Transitions and telephonic health coaching support reduces costs for Medicare beneficiaries

Health Dialog today released a report showing that nurses who used the Care TransitionsTM model telephonically, in conjunction with Health Dialog’s standard telephonic health coaching support, were able to reduce costs and re-admissions for Medicare beneficiaries recently discharged from the hospital.

14 Sep 2009

AmMed Direct tops Nashville Business Journal’s list of the 25 Fastest-Growing Companies

AmMed Direct, a Nashville-based provider of diabetes testing supplies, prescription medications and support services for people with diabetes, has been named the fastest-growing private company in the Middle Tennessee area by the Nashville Business Journal. The company topped the Nashville Business Journal’s list of the 25 Fastest-Growing Companies.

14 Sep 2009

On '60 Minutes,' Obama says he is responsible for health legislation: 'I own it'

President Barack Obama Sunday night in an appearance on CBS' 60 Minutes said that some Republicans just want to "kill" health care reform and that he'll "own" the bill when it passes.

14 Sep 2009

Baucus plans last attempt at bipartisan bill, Dems acknowledge moderates' key role

This week is crucial for Sen. Max Baucus, who is trying to win bipartisan support from his Senate Finance Committee negotiators. If not, he is likely to join a Democrat-only effort to reform the health care system.

14 Sep 2009

Much of the focus now turns to the conservative Blue Dog Democrats

In his address to Congress on health care last week, President Obama attempted to reassure Blue Dog Democrats, such as Georgia Reps. Jim Marshall and Sanford Bishop, that the plan would not be too expensive or intrusive for their conservative constituencies, the Columbus, Ga., Ledger-Enquirer reports.

14 Sep 2009

States face growing health costs, dwindling budgets

As states wrestle with shortfalls in health care funding, many are hoping to brace with budget cuts, while others focus on changes that keep costs down over the long term.

14 Sep 2009

Poll: Opposition to reform still high but easing

A new ABC News-Washington Post poll found that 48 percent of Americans approve of Obama's handling of health care. "Bottom-line views on health care reform have stabilized but failed to improve since President Obama addressed the nation, leaving him with a continued challenge in selling his plan to a public that remains skeptical about its benefits and costs alike," ABC News reports.

14 Sep 2009

Lobbyists ramp up efforts to shape health care reform

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch/New York Times reports: "Top lobbyists for every major sector of the health care industry publicly insist they are squarely behind the health care reform effort of President Barack Obama's administration.

14 Sep 2009

Comparative effectiveness research may save money, but remains controversial

The Louisville Courier-Journal reports: "Democrats' plans for health care reform would try to provide answers with more studies on which drugs, medical devices and procedures work best for different patients. But while the goal of more 'comparative effectiveness' research may sound simple, getting there may be a challenge."

14 Sep 2009

Medicare News and Research

HITECH Act bonus guarantee program from athenahealth

First edition: September 15, 2009

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

OptiVol for accurate prediction of heart failure

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

SXC collaborates with Allscripts to enhance e-prescribing solutions

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

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

American Scientific Resources acquires Safeguard Medical's home needle destruction device patent

America’s Affordable Health Choices Act helps breast cancer patients recuperate easily

MedAssurant purchases Catalyst Information Technologies

Health Dialog's Care Transitions and telephonic health coaching support reduces costs for Medicare beneficiaries

AmMed Direct tops Nashville Business Journal’s list of the 25 Fastest-Growing Companies

On '60 Minutes,' Obama says he is responsible for health legislation: 'I own it'

Baucus plans last attempt at bipartisan bill, Dems acknowledge moderates' key role

Much of the focus now turns to the conservative Blue Dog Democrats

States face growing health costs, dwindling budgets

Poll: Opposition to reform still high but easing

Lobbyists ramp up efforts to shape health care reform

Comparative effectiveness research may save money, but remains controversial

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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