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A Medicare News Blog. All things dealing with Health and Medicare in the USA.

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We must help reform the health care system

2008-08-03 03:49:50

The number of uninsured is at an all-time high and growing. Today, there are 47 million Americans without any health insurance — a number that will become 56 million over the next five years if nothing is changed. health care costs are rising and will continue to rise. The Centers for Medicare and medicaid services [...]...

Medicare And Medicaid Move Aggressively To Encourage Greater Patient Safety In Hospitals And Reduce Never Events

2008-08-01 13:10:16

The Centers for Medicare & medicaid services announced it is taking several actions to improve the quality of care in hospitals and reduce the number of “never events” — preventable medical errors that result in serious consequences for the patient. [Original News Article] Related NewsBad medicine will cut into hospitals’ payLong Island Newsday Examines Medicare Rule [...]...

Congress to Avert Drastic Medicare Fee Cut; Psychiatric Copay Reduction Less Clear

2008-08-01 06:15:37

Congress will undoubtedly set aside, one more time, a scheduled, drastic cut in Medicare fees for psychiatrists and all other physicians sometime this summer based on action in Congress before its Fourth of July recess. [Original News Article] Related NewsCongress To Resume Crafting Medicare Legislation That Would Further Delay Physician Fee CutBush administration delaying Medicare fee cutCongress [...]...

Radical DIY health plan

2008-08-01 06:00:00

PATIENTS with chronic diseases could be given cash or vouchers to keep them out of the nation’s hospitals under a radical overhaul of Medicare. [Original News Article] Related NewsTory’s plan for two-tier health careMany Medicare beneficiaries aren’t checking plan changesSecurity Health Plan makes U.S. News rankings...

Medicare Increases Nursing Home Payment Rates, Recalibration Of Rugs To Be Studied Further

2008-08-01 05:10:56

Medicare payment rates to nursing homes will increase by $780 million next year, the Centers for Medicare & medicaid services announced. The boost in payments is the result of a 3.4 percent increase in the annual market basket calculation of the cost of goods and services included in a skilled nursing facility stay. [Original News [...]...

CMS Announces More Accurate Payments For Inpatient Rehabilitation Services In FY 2009

2008-08-01 04:13:37

The Centers for Medicare & medicaid services. [Original News Article] Related NewsCMS Proposes More Accurate Payments For Inpatient Rehabilitation Services In FY 2009CMS Proposes More Accurate Payment Rates For Medicare Skilled Nursing Facilities In Fiscal Year 2009CMS Issues Final Rules On Medicare Reimbursements For FY 2008...

AHIP White Paper Supports New GAO Findings On Inappropriate Use, Rapid Spending Growth For High Tech Imaging

2008-08-01 01:13:27

A new Government Accountability Office report documents a dramatic surge in the use of high tech imaging under Medicare Part B, with rapid growth in spending, and draws attention to a substantial variation in the use of services across regions that suggests not all utilization is necessary or appropriate. [Original News Article] Related NewsGAO Recommends That [...]...

Hospice patients have more control of their treatment under new regulations

2008-07-31 21:12:31

By MARK AGEE Many dying patients will have new rights because the federal government has updated hospice regulations for Medicare participants for the first time in 25 years. Some of the most significant changes for hospice patients, who typically have less than six months to live, include the right to effective pain medications and to [...]...

Medicare adds to do-not-pay list

2008-07-31 16:21:16

Medicare is adding to its do-not-pay list for hospitals two new categories of preventable conditions it won’t cover, a much smaller number than it had been contemplating. Last year, the Centers for Medicare and medicaid services set new ground by determining it no longer pay would extra costs for treating certain preventable conditions, referred to [...]...

Legislation Would Require Greater Transparency In Physician Self-Referrals For Imaging Procedures

2008-07-31 11:10:16

Senate Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley that would require physicians to disclose their financial ties to imaging services ordered under Medicare when making self-referrals, CQ HealthBeat reports. [Original News Article] Related NewsGAO Recommends That Medicare Require Prior Authorization For Medical Imaging Services At Physician OfficesMedicare cuts look ‘huge’ to imaging centersWashington Post Examines Decision To [...]...

New regulations give hospice patients more control of their treatment

2008-07-31 08:05:59

By MARK AGEE Many dying patients will have new rights at the end of their lives after the federal government updated hospice regulations for Medicare participants this summer for the first time in 25 years. Some of the most significant changes for patients in hospice, who typically have less than six months to live, include [...]...

Gentiva Health posts double-digit revenue, profits gains

2008-07-31 05:22:22

Increased Medicare revenues helped Gentiva Health services Inc. post double-digit increases in both revenue and earnings in its second quarter, the Melville-based home health-care provider announced Thursday. [Original News Article] Related NewsGentiva Reports Strong Second Quarter led by Home Health SegmentGentiva Health 3Q Profit RisesGentiva Health Services’ 1st-quarter profit rises 13 percent on Medicare, commercial plans...

Statement By Mike Leavitt, Secretary Of Health And Human Services, On Legislation To Address Medicare Solvency

2008-07-29 00:13:27

The law created a “trigger” that requires action if the Medicare trustees have issued two consecutive reports projecting the program’s spending from general revenue would exceed 45 percent. Read more here… Related PostsHHS Secretary Leavitt Urges Lawmakers, Public to ‘Start Now’ To Make Changes to MedicareLeavitt Issues Requests For Medicare Reform PackageHealth and Human Services secretary coming [...]...

Senate Republicans to begin campaign against Medicare fraud

2008-07-28 23:55:11

Senate Republicans have begun “piecing together a crusade” against Medicare fraud in an effort to make the issue an important part of the health care reform debate in the next Congress, CongressDaily reports. Read more here… Related PostsRepublicans Say Medicare Bill Must Have Unanimous Consent to Clear SenateRepublicans Block Senate Bill Allowing Negotiating Better Prices on Medicare [...]...

CQ’s Armstrong discusses Medicare ‘trigger’ bill, health IT legislation, tobacco regulation, mental health parity …

2008-07-28 23:55:01

Drew Armstrong, a health reporter for CQ HealthBeat, discusses House efforts to delay action on a Medicare “trigger” bill, health information technology legislation, an FDA tobacco regulation bill and steps toward passing mental health parity legislation in this week’s “Health on the Hill from kaisernetwork.org and CQ.” Read more here… Related PostsCQ’s Carey Discusses Physician Medicare Bill, [...]...

Tests and Medicare: A Sore Debate

2008-07-28 21:27:25

To the Editor:. Read more here… Related PostsCMS Proposes Medicare Coverage Of Sleep Apnea Treatment For Beneficiaries Diagnosed With Home TestsSchumer introduces IVD reimbursement bill in SenateDebate over Reducing Medicare Advantage Plan Payments ContinuesThe real health care debate has begun...

Govt to axe chronic disease dental rebate

2008-07-28 19:16:47

The Federal Government has sent a letter to dentists urging them not to treat patients with chronic disease under the Medicare dental rebate, because it will soon be axed. Read more here… Related Posts$4250 dental rebate for thousandsLabor govt to scrap Medicare dental planDental payment to double to $4,000: govtMore Dental Care Through Medicare, Australia...

Overweight elderly may burden Medicare

2008-07-28 17:50:53

ATLANTA, July 28 — Medicare costs caused by overweight elderly could place a significant financial burden on U.S. taxpayers, costing hundreds of billions, U.S. researchers say. Read more here… Related PostsOverweight Elderly Americans Contribute To Financial Burdens Of U.S. Health Care System, Study FindsMore Elderly Americans Living With Heart FailureOverweight Americans To Weigh On Nation’s Future [...]...

EDS posts higher 2Q profit, sales

2008-07-28 15:02:35

Technology services company Electronic Data Systems Corp. said Monday its second-quarter profit and sales grew, boosted by robust contract signings that included centers for Medicare and Medicaid services. Read more here… Related PostsMedicare Payment Formula Results In Some For-Profit Dialysis Chains Giving Higher Doses Of Anemia Drug Than …Gentiva Health 3Q Profit RisesSierra Health 3Q Profit Edges [...]...

Medicare has diabetes covered

2008-07-28 14:28:47

Since it has been estimated that 23.1 percent of the population over the age of 60 have diabetes, I thought it might be important to give a little insight into how Medicare deals with this large number of diabetics. Read more here… Related PostsAvalere Study Shows Medicare Part D Helping People with Type 2 Diabetes; Warns People [...]...

Metropolitan Health Networks Provides Preliminary Positive Results for Second Quarter 2008

2008-07-28 03:27:14

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc. , a leading provider of healthcare services to Medicare beneficiaries in Florida, today announced preliminary summary financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2008. Read more here… Related PostsMetropolitan Health Networks Announces Management ChangeMetropolitan Health Adds 1,000 Medicare Advantage Customers with Addition of Five South Florida Affiliated Physician [...]...

Medicare, health issues require careful planning

2008-07-28 02:04:26

Though it’s not something people may want to consider, planning for the aging process is a necessary step in life, said Monica Benson and Kim Olmedo at Katten & Benson, Attorneys at Law. Read more here… Related PostsDow Chemical Lobbied on Energy IssuesStatement By Robert M. Hayes, President, Medicare Rights Center, On The Release Of The Medicare [...]...

House Committee Report Finds Medicare Pays Up To 30% More For Medications Under Part D Plans

2008-07-28 01:10:26

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform during a hearing on Thursday released a report that found the Medicare drug benefit in its first two years has paid about 30% more for prescription drugs than Medicaid would have paid for the same medications, costing the program about $3.7 billion, the Los Angeles Times reports. Read [...]...

House Approves Delay Of Medicare ‘Trigger’ Measure

2008-07-28 01:10:16

The House on Thursday by a 231-184 vote approved a rule. Read more here… Related PostsHouse Rules Committee Approves Measure To Delay Medicare ‘Trigger’ Law; House Expected To Vote On Bill This WeekSenate Approves Medicare Bill That Would Delay Physician Fee Cut, Extend SCHIP Through March 2009Medicare Trigger Ignores Real Problem Of Skyrocketing Health Care Costs - [...]...

Automated saving on Medicare drugs MedicareSaver.com

2008-07-24 08:03:38

A new automated system has hit the scene for saving on Medicare drugs. The Medicare Saver system developed by the group at www.medicaresaver.com allows you to select drugs and view the lowest cost medications and prescription coverage for your needs. Some Features: Therapeutic Alternative (Lower Cost Medicine) Search Detailed Cost Information Advanced Restrictions Handling Automated Enrollment Continuous Monitoring Related PostsPharmacists ease seniors’ [...]...

Delay in Medicare’s New Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bidding Program Affecting Certain Areas of the Country

2008-07-24 02:12:50

What’s Changing Congress has acted to delay the new competitive bidding program that started on July 1, 2008. What You Need to Know You now can continue to get your Medicare-covered equipment and supplies from any Medicare-approved supplier. If you changed your supplier when this new program started, you can continue to use the new supplier, or choose [...]...

Pierce County News: Fighting health care fraud and abuse

2008-07-24 02:05:31

Health care fraud costs consumers and Medicare millions of dollars every year. “Fighting Health Care Fraud and Abuse” will provide the tools for consumers to identify, avoid and report unfair medical charges. Read more here… Related PostsPulaski County Doctor Pleads Guilty To Health Care FraudDead Docs’ IDs Used to Abuse MedicareOrange County pays $7 million to feds [...]...

Paying Doctors to Ignore Patients

2008-07-23 20:22:19

Without changes to the way Medicare pays doctors, the fights in Congress over raising or lowering payment rates will continue. Read more here… Related PostsPhysicians put price tags on health careDoctors say Medicare cuts will hurt patientsAMA calls attention to Medicare cutsDoctors ‘doomed’ under gap rule...

EARLY RELEASE: Medicare Showdown

2008-07-23 13:44:18

Read more here… Related PostsYoung adults and early retirees are sought out by health insurers, but coverage is not completePush for early Alzheimer’s detection poises Louisville company for successBush nixes altering drug planMedicare bus tour emphasizes early illness prevention...

Tennessean Examines Physicians In State Limiting New Medicare Beneficiaries They See, Charging Concierge Fees In …

2008-07-23 09:10:26

The Tennessean in a two-part series examined how physicians in the state are limiting the number of new Medicare beneficiaries they will treat and how some are charging concierge fees to accept new beneficiaries. Read more here… Related PostsTennessean examines physicians in state limiting new Medicare beneficiaries they see, charging concierge feesAustralian Psychologists Reject Claims Of High [...]...

Mercy Health Plans Announces New Name for Their Medicare Advantage Plans: Mercy Medicare Advantage

2008-07-23 08:37:00

Mercy Health Plans, the St. Louis-based health benefits management company founded in 1994 by the Sisters of Mercy Health System, has announced it has changed the name of its Advantage">Medicare Advantage plans to: Mercy MedicareAdvantage. Read more here… Related PostsTIGroup Announces Agreement with ESSENCE Healthcare to Provide Unique Health Plans for Medicare Patients“Medicare Advantage Plans Are The [...]...

Tennessean examines physicians in state limiting new Medicare beneficiaries they see, charging concierge fees

2008-07-22 23:39:59

The Tennessean in a two-part series examined how physicians in the state are limiting the number of new Medicare beneficiaries they will treat and how some are charging concierge fees to accept new beneficiaries. Read more here… Related PostsTennessean Examines Physicians In State Limiting New Medicare Beneficiaries They See, Charging Concierge Fees In …Australian Psychologists Reject Claims [...]...

CMS proposal would limit industry practice that raises costs for some Medicare drug plan beneficiaries

2008-07-22 23:24:50

A CMS proposal under consideration would limit a practice used by pharmacy benefit managers known as “lock-in pricing” that can increase costs for beneficiaries enrolled in the Medicare drug benefit and bring them into the so-called “doughnut hole” coverage gap more quickly, the Wall Street Journal reports. Read more here… Related PostsCMS Audit Raises Concerns About Humana’s [...]...

Mo. healthcare facility to pay $60M

2008-07-22 16:05:53

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 22 — A Missouri healthcare facility will pay $60 million for allegedly engaging in improper Medicare billing practices, the U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday. Read more here… Related PostsPremier Healthcare Alliance Experts to Lead Discussions on Pay-for-Performance, Ethical Business Practices in HealthcareShilpa Medicare to set up new manufacturing facility, R&D unit at RaichurHealth [...]...

Medicare surcharge won’t affect waiting lists: Giddings

2008-07-22 15:46:28

The Federal Government’s plan to increase the cut-off for the Medicare surcharge levy has re-ignited concern over Tasmania’s public hospital waiting lists. Read more here… Related PostsDoctors’ group prescribes private health carePhysicians May Have Won Battle Over Medicare Pay Cut but War Still Looms in FutureEnding Two-Year Waiting Period For MedicareAdvocacy Groups Seek Elimination Of Medicare Eligibility [...]...

Health care network to pay $60 million settlement

2008-07-22 13:14:51

A Springfield, Mo.-based health care system has agreed to pay $60 million to settle claims it engaged in illegal kickbacks with area doctors and billed Medicare for costs not allowed under federal laws. Read more here… Related Posts$1.7M settlement; State agency wants Webb to pay off health care matterGov’t reaches $666M settlement with hospitals over MedicareBuyer of [...]...

Medicare Change Sheds Light On New Infection Precaution Measures

2008-07-19 01:13:17

As part of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Rule-1553-P, effective October 1, 2008, Medicare will no longer pay for eight conditions that can be acquired by patients during hospital stays that could have been reasonably prevented by following evidence based guidelines. Read more here… Related PostsAHA Responds To Medicare Hospital Payment Change ProposalMedicare’s Hospital Reimbursement Rule [...]...

California Academy Of Family Physicians Lauds Congress On Medicare Veto Override; Call On CA Legislators To Similarly …

2008-07-19 01:10:46

The California Academy of Family Physicians today congratulated the state’s Congressional delegation on protecting seniors’ health care by overriding President Bush’s veto of key Medicare legislation. Both the House and Senate yesterday rejected the President’s attempt to block legislation canceling a 10.6% cut in physician pay that took effect July 1 in the federal Medicare [...]...

Medicare change aids mentally ill

2008-07-18 21:21:47

Domingo J. Valladares has schizophrenia and is bipolar, and the cost of his four medications runs $1,000 a month. Read more here… Related PostsOperator of Miami AIDS clinic indictedAIDS Patients DeniedLast Chance To Change Medicare Health Plans Before Lock-In On April 1, USAInsurer alters Medicare drug list...

New Law That Delays Medicare Physician Payment Cut Also Affects Beneficiaries

2008-07-18 12:10:18

The new Medicare law that passed on Tuesday not only delays for 18 months a 10.6% reduction to physician fees, it also contains provisions that directly affect beneficiaries, the Wall Street Journal reports. The law reduces the copayment for mental health services from 50% to 20%, which is consistent with copays for other health services. [...]...