Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

State insurance regulators approve guidelines for health plans' spending

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a guideline for what insurers can count as medical costs - as opposed to administrative expenses - under new health law rules, Politico reports. The health law requires large group insurance plans to spend at least 85 percent of premiums on medical expenses. Small group plans must spend 80 percent.

19 Aug 2010

Study outlines recommendations for prevention, management of health epidemics

A new study reveals that the oil and gas industry supply chain which includes oil companies, contractors and sub-contractors does not perceive the full extent of the risks that HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria pose to its workforce, productivity and profitability. The study conducted by management consulting firm Booz & Company in partnership the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) outlines why the oil and gas industry should improve its understanding of the hazards posed by these three epidemics and makes ten recommendations for how to make health a priority.

19 Aug 2010

World MRSA Day kick-off event in Chicago on October 1, 2010

MRSA Survivors Network, the Chicago-based nonprofit organization, launches their second annual World MRSA Day kick-off event at Loyola University Chicago on October 1, 2010. The 2010 global theme for World MRSA Day is: 'The MRSA Epidemic – A Call to Action.' Other events are planned in the United States, U.K. and Canada throughout the month of October, World MRSA Awareness Month.

19 Aug 2010

EHSI signs option with Regenevita for 'Neo Natal Progenitor Cell Expansion Technology'

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. announced today that the Company has signed an option with Regenevita, owner of the right to license Neo Natal Progenitor Cell Expansion Technology in Latin America. The core technology on which the Regenevita technology is based was originally developed by NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and was sub-licensed to Regenevita for use with Neo Natal Progenitor Cell Expansion.

19 Aug 2010

Thomson Reuters releases new Health Care Reform content in Checkpoint

The Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters recently released Health Care Reform content onto its industry-leading online platform, Checkpoint, which is now relied upon by over a half million professionals. The latest EBIA manual and PPC guide are comprehensive, authoritative, and frequently updated to help business and individual plan administrators and advisors avoid possible risks of non-compliance with health care reform.

19 Aug 2010

Mass. regulators reach rate hike accord with one more insurer

Massachusetts regulators cut a deal Monday with insurer Health New England to limit premium increases for individual policyholders and small businesses to 8.2 percent, down from the hikes ranging from 11.5 to 21.3 percent the firm requested earlier this year, The Boston Globe reports. "With the Health New England agreement, the Patrick administration has now reached accords with five of the six Massachusetts insurance carriers that were denied double-digit increases on April 1.

19 Aug 2010

Siemens Healthcare to distribute Calypso GPS System in Europe

Calypso Medical Technologies, Inc., a developer of real-time localization technology used for the precise tracking of tumor targets, today announced that it has entered into a non-exclusive product distribution agreement with Siemens Healthcare for the sale of its Calypso® System in Europe. Under terms of the agreement, Siemens retains non-exclusive rights to sell Calypso's real-time tracking technology to existing and prospective Siemens linear accelerator customers throughout Europe for a period of three years.

19 Aug 2010

TOPEX announces sale of skin cancer business operations to SENSUS Healthcare

TOPEX, Inc. announces the sale of its skin cancer business operations to SENSUS Healthcare, LLC for its low energy SRT 100 superficial radiotherapy treatment system. Since TOPEX received FDA approval during 2007, many systems have been operating worldwide at hospital radiation oncology centers, dermatology and veterinary oncology practices for the treatment of skin cancer.

19 Aug 2010

Behavioral Innovations includes In-home Autism Treatment programs in ABA services at San Antonio

SANBehavioral Innovations, the premier provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for families of children with Autism and other developmental disorders, announces the expansion of its San Antonio services to include In-home Autism Treatment programs and consultation services for schools and professionals.

19 Aug 2010

FDA approves CSL Behring's sBLA to extend shelf life of Hizentra from 18 to 24 months

CSL Behring announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to extend the shelf life of Hizentra®, Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human), 20% Liquid, from 18 months to 24 months. Hizentra, the first and only 20 percent subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) approved in the U.S. by the FDA, is also the first and only SCIg in the U.S. that may be stored at room temperature.

19 Aug 2010

Immunomedics, GE Healthcare collaborate to evaluate peptide labeling technologies

Immunomedics, Inc. and GE Healthcare, a business unit of General Electric Company, announced today that they have entered into a license and collaboration agreement for the evaluation of labeling technologies based on Immunomedics' patented F-18 peptide labeling method. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but GE Healthcare will fund all costs related to this collaboration.

18 Aug 2010

Use of multi-payer portals for community-focused Medicaid organizations to be highlighted at MMIS Conference

NaviNet, America's largest real-time healthcare communications network, announced that Vice President of Delivery Sebastiaan Foppema will speak at the 2010 Medicaid Management Information Systems Conference, held in Portland, Oregon, August 15-19, 2010. The MMIS Conference provides an opportunity for various constituents of the State, Federal and private sectors to come together to share ideas related to Medicaid IT systems and heath policy in a rapidly changing healthcare market.

18 Aug 2010

Medical Transcription Industry Association to change name to Clinical Documentation Industry Association

Providing innovative solutions for EHR adoption that facilitate accurate and timely capture of health information continues to be a key message for the Medical Transcription Industry Association, whose members recently voted to change its name to Clinical Documentation Industry Association (CDIA) in an effort to reflect not only the expanded scope of services its members provide to the healthcare industry, but also a more appropriate focus on the health record and its critical role in clinical decision-making and continuity of care.

18 Aug 2010

Telerent in top 100 US private independent equipment leasing and finance companies

Telerent Leasing Company, a North Carolina-based, independent leasing company specializing in hospitality and healthcare FF&E leases, has been recognized by Monitor Magazine, the leading publication in the equipment and finance industry, as one of the top 100 private independent equipment leasing and finance companies in the U.S. for the second consecutive year. Telerent placed 97th on the list, an increase of three positions from the 2008 rankings.

18 Aug 2010

Regenicin acquires worldwide exclusive license to know-how technology

Regenicin, Inc., a development stage biotechnology company, announced today that it has completed an initial $3.25 million funding in conjunction with its acquisition of a worldwide exclusive license to know-how technology controlled by Lonza Walkersville ("Lonza Agreement").

18 Aug 2010

Medical Mutual of Ohio to receive prestigious C. Everett Koop National Health Award for 2010

In recognition of its health promotion program that has demonstrated effectiveness in improving the health of workers while at the same time promoting efficient use of resources, Medical Mutual of Ohio was selected as one of three U.S. employers to receive the prestigious C. Everett Koop National Health Award for 2010.

18 Aug 2010

Stand Up To Cancer prepares for next Team Fundraising Challenge

As part of a new long-term alliance, Stand Up To Cancer is gearing up for its next Team Fundraising Challenge by joining forces with one of television's most popular shows, Survivor on CBS. For the first time ever, Survivor will stand up and issue the "Challenge The Odds" Team Challenge with Stand Up To Cancer Ambassador and winner of Survivor: Africa, Ethan Zohn.

18 Aug 2010

North Carolina Healthcare Information Exchange to be launched

The North Carolina Hospital Association (NCHA) and The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) along with Moses Cone Health System and WakeMed Health & Hospitals, today announced they are working with Thomson Reuters and CareEvolution to develop and launch the North Carolina Healthcare Information Exchange (NCHEX).

18 Aug 2010

Patients concerned over ability to access own medical records

American patients are worried about not being able to access their own medical records when needed, according to a survey conducted by GfK Roper for Practice Fusion, the free, web-based Electronic Health Record (EHR) company. Concern about access outweighed worries about inaccuracy, theft, accidental destruction, ER availability or referral of personal medical records.

18 Aug 2010

Mindray announces US launch of new premium M7 ultrasound system

Mindray DS USA, a Mindray Global Company, announces the launch of the company's new premium M7 ultrasound system in the United States. The M7 platform is based on breakthrough System On Chip (SOC) technology, bringing a new level of imaging performance to a compact portable system.

From Mindray 18 Aug 2010