Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

On health exchanges, states may get a second chance to create their own

So far, 11 states have accepted federal money to set up their own state-run insurance exchange. Meanwhile, the Basic Health Program, another health law initiative, is drawing attention.

25 Aug 2011

Medicare tests bundled payment structure in hopes of saving money

Ultimately, Medicare officials hope that bundling payments to hospitals, doctors and even post-hospital caregivers will lead to increases in cost-effective care.

25 Aug 2011

Commonwealth study: Unemployed skipping important medical services, highlighting importance of COBRA coverage

The Commonwealth Fund is out Wednesday with a report that shows the unemployed are skipping out on important medical services and recommends Congress extend COBRA subsidies through 2014. The study found that 72 percent of people who have lost their employer health insurance didn't fill prescriptions, get recommended tests or see a doctor because of the high cost barrier.

25 Aug 2011

NNU Director named one of the '100 Most Influential People in Healthcare'

For the tenth straight year, National Nurses United Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro has won national recognition from a major healthcare industry publication as one of the "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare" which was announced this week.

25 Aug 2011

Health law legal challenges: Date set for oral arguments in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

Missouri's health reform lawsuit is heading for oral arguments in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The 8th Circuit on Tuesday said oral arguments in the lawsuit, which challenges the individual mandate and the Medicaid expansion, will take place in St. Paul, Minn., during the week of Oct. 17.

25 Aug 2011

BESLER Consulting expands Care Coordination and Compliance practice

BESLER Consulting, a leading financial and operational consultancy to healthcare providers, is pleased to announce the expansion of their Care Coordination and Compliance practice, with the integration of Dr. Frank L. Urbano's expertise and experience.

25 Aug 2011

HHS finalizes rule on medical research and confilcts of interest

The guidance, which is designed to help scientists avoid financial conflicts when conducting government-funded research, will take effect Aug. 24, 2012.

25 Aug 2011

Viewpoints: Perry's health record, Medicare spending slows, postal service's health plan controversy

And now for some good news: Medicare spending growth has been slowing noticeably. ... some evidence suggests it may be a shift toward value in the health-care sector. Various hospital executives have told me they have already begun to prepare for less generous reimbursement from Medicare as the new federal health-care-reform law takes effect.

25 Aug 2011

Healthways to acquire Navvis

Ben R. Leedle, Jr., president and CEO of Healthways, announced that the Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Navvis & Company, a St. Louis-based firm providing strategic counsel and change management services both to enable its healthcare system clients to become future-ready clinical enterprises and to align the incentives for all stakeholders.

25 Aug 2011

Roundup: Interim agreement between Planned Parenthood and Ariz. approved; Kan. to release budget plan

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Richard Gama this week signed off on an agreement between Planned Parenthood and the state that allows most of the 2011 regulations to go into effect while the legal challenge continues.

25 Aug 2011

Health costs watch dog established

An organization that would independently determine the efficient price of services in hospitals will be announced by the Australian federal government as consumer concern about the rising cost of healthcare deepens.

24 Aug 2011

Awarepoint secures $27 million in Series F financing

Awarepoint Corporation, the leading provider of real-time location system (RTLS) solutions for healthcare, announced today that it has secured $27 million in Series F financing. New investor Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) led the round of financing, which also included participation from new investor Top Tier Capital Partners, and existing investors Cardinal Partners, Venrock, and Jafco Ventures.

24 Aug 2011

QuadraMed releases new version of Quantim Facility Coding

QuadraMed Corporation, a leading provider of healthcare technologies and services that improve the quality, safety and efficiency of patient care, today announced a new version of Quantim Facility Coding that supports both ICD-9 and ICD-10 code sets. Through the use of Quantim Coding v10, QuadraMed clients can test their ICD-10 interface transactions in combination with live encounters while also using ICD-9 codes.

24 Aug 2011

Synovis Life Technologies third quarter net revenue increases 19% to record $21.0 million

Synovis Life Technologies, Inc., today reported its financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended July 31, 2011.

24 Aug 2011

UMA pharmacy technician diploma programs offer healthcare education to U.S. students

Two recently launched pharmacy technician training programs from Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) have made it possible for students nationwide to prepare for a career in this expanding field, which is projected to experience double-digit growth in the coming years.

24 Aug 2011

Square 1 Bank extends $6M credit facility to oxygen therapy innovator, Inogen

Square 1 Bank, the exclusive banking partner to entrepreneurs and the venture capital community, proudly announces the extension of a $6 million credit facility to oxygen therapy innovator, Inogen, Inc.

24 Aug 2011

Call for open challenges in nanomedicine

"Nanomedicine is certainly the most promising enabling technology to achieve breakthroughs in medical technologies. It will strongly contribute to driving the future of medicine. A first step to initiate the necessary actions will be done in October in Barcelona." says Bertrand Loubaton, Director at GE Healthcare and chairman of the European Technology Platform ETPN.

24 Aug 2011

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta acquires Toshiba's Aplio MX ultrasound system

To improve clinical performance in fetal echocardiography with advanced imaging applications, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has acquired Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.'s Aplio MX ultrasound system for the Children's Sibley Heart Center fetal echo program.

24 Aug 2011

inVentiv Health announces launch of new European company

inVentiv Health, offering best-in-class clinical, commercial and consulting services to the healthcare industry, announced the launch of inVentiv Health Communications/Europe, a new company that brings together inVentiv's advertising, public relations, public policy, market access, medical education, marketing, branding and digital services in a unified offering serving Europe.

24 Aug 2011

Clay modelling could help disturbed teenagers deal with mental health problems

Researchers at The University of Nottingham are to investigate whether the therapeutic effects of clay modelling could help disturbed teenagers deal with their feelings of anger, anxiety and depression.

24 Aug 2011