Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Nestlé focuses on meeting world's increasing skin health needs

Nestlé S.A. (Nestlé) announced the creation of Nestlé Skin Health S.A., a global leader focused on meeting the world's increasing skin health needs with a scientifically-proven broad range of innovative products.

11 Feb 2014

HIMSS Analytics achieves Stage 6 status on EMR Adoption ModelSM

HIMSS Analytics announced University Hospitals in Cleveland has achieved Stage 6 status on the EMR Adoption ModelSM (EMRAM). As of January 2014, 12.7 percent - just 682 US hospitals - of the more than 5,400 U.S. hospitals tracked by HIMSS Analytics had reached Stage 6 on its Electronic Medical Record Adoption ModelSM (EMRAM).

11 Feb 2014

Pitt’s CMI funds 6 research groups for Early Stage Medical Technology Research and Development

The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Medical Innovation (CMI) awarded a total of $82,000 to six research groups through its 2013 Round-2 Pilot Funding Program for Early Stage Medical Technology Research and Development.

11 Feb 2014

Dental care in schools for children wipes out social inequities

A new survey conducted by the University of Copenhagen and the World Health Organization (WHO) is highlighting the role of schools in work to promote health and prevent disease.

11 Feb 2014

Federal appeals court rules against Unitedhealthcare on Conn. Medicare advantage case

In the meantime, some consumers must re-enroll in traditional Medicare to keep seeing doctors UnitedHealthcare dropped in New Haven, Conn.

11 Feb 2014

Obama administration again delays insurance mandate for some smaller employers

The Obama administration announced Monday it would give medium-sized employers an extra year, until 2016, before they must offer health insurance to their full-time workers.

11 Feb 2014

Lucian Leape announces nominations for John Q. Sherman Award for Excellence in Patient Engagement

Standard Register Healthcare (NYSE:SR) in partnership with the National Patient Safety Foundation's Lucian Leape Institute announced that nominations have opened for the first annual John Q. Sherman Award for Excellence in Patient Engagement.

11 Feb 2014

Health law issues take key place in run-up to congressional, Senate elections

For instance, the Louisiana chapter of Americans for Prosperity, the group backed by the Koch brothers, made a $600,000 ad buy against Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La, because of her health law support. Meanwhile, other Democrats in tight races are trying to claim credit for trying to fix the problematic parts of the measure while still embracing its popular elements.

11 Feb 2014

Researchers develop low-power wireless microsystem for hearing aids and implants

Microsystems are at the heart of portable hearing aids and implants. Now researchers are developing a miniature, low-power wireless microsystem to make these medical aids smaller, more comfortable and more efficient.

11 Feb 2014

Leaving behind Medicaid expansion leaves coverage gaps, hospitals short on payments

The Wall Street Journal examines the gap created by some states deciding not to expand their Medicaid programs and what that decision means for hospitals' bottom lines. Also, Republican lawmakers consider "bailouts" for hospitals after they decided not to expand Medicaid. In the meantime, Arkansas' lawmakers get ready to debate the state's Medicaid experiment.

10 Feb 2014

Budget issues begin to cloud outlook for state exchanges

The Associated Press reports that questions are emerging about how these online marketplaces will operate under the current financing model. Also, the latest news on exchanges from California, Oregon and Florida.

10 Feb 2014

Allianz Worldwide Care introduces Maritime Healthcare Plan for seafarers

Global health insurer Allianz Worldwide Care has announced the launch of a new plan which offers a compliant solution for onshore healthcare to shipping companies affected by the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006), commonly known as the "Seafarers' Bill of Rights". MLC 2006, which came into force in August 2013, requires shipping companies to provide comprehensive rights and protection to the world's 1.2 million seafarers, including the provision of a minimum level of healthcare cover.

10 Feb 2014

Obamacare tweaks continue amid complaints

The government will allow consumers who experience life changes, such as a marriage or the birth of a child, to update their plan choices, the administration said. It is also looking at requiring insurers to accept third-party payments, such as those made under the Ryan White CARE Act, to help people with HIV/AIDS pay for expensive drugs. Meanwhile, The Washington Post examines the history of Accenture, the contractor hired to fix healthcare.gov, and finds troubled projects and allegations of ethical lapses.

10 Feb 2014

Bosch Healthcare receives NCQA's Disease Management certification for HMPs

Robert Bosch Healthcare Systems, Inc., the market leader in evidence-based telehealth solutions, today announced the that it has received certification for program design in Disease Management for 16 Health Management Programs (HMPs) that it submitted to the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

10 Feb 2014

Merck, Samsung Bioepis agree to develop, commercialize MK-1293 for treatment of diabetes

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd., announced today that they have expanded their collaboration with an agreement to develop, manufacture and commercialize MK-1293, an insulin glargine candidate for the treatment of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Phase III clinical studies in type 1 and type 2 diabetes will begin soon.

10 Feb 2014

FDA grants OTC clearance for AliveCor Heart Monitor

AliveCor, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted the company over-the-counter (OTC) clearance for the AliveCor Heart Monitor, a single-channel ECG (electrocardiogram) recorder, previously available by prescription only. The device is available now for pre-order purchase with shipments beginning in March.

10 Feb 2014

WageWorks announces new partnership with Summit Health

WageWorks, Inc., a leader in administering Consumer-Directed Benefits, today announced a partnership with Summit Health, a leading provider of on-site wellness, health screening and immunization programs. In this partnership, WageWorks will offer Summit Health's wellness services to its clients. Additionally, Summit Health clients will have access to WageWorks' Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).

10 Feb 2014

Acentia announces acquisition of Business Computer Applications

Acentia, a premier provider of technology and management solutions, today announced it has acquired Atlanta-based Business Computer Applications, Inc., a provider of information technology (IT) services and solutions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health agencies.

10 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 10, 2014

Today's headlines include stories about the health law's coverage gap.

10 Feb 2014

DaVita donates $1.2M to charities across United States

DaVita, the kidney care division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (NYSE: DVA) and a leading provider of kidney care services, announced that its teammates donated $1.2 million to charities in more than 1,100 communities across the United States as part of the "DaVita Way of Giving."

10 Feb 2014