"Above all else, analyzing the state of the world's health -- be it by looking at obesity rates, cancer cases, malaria deaths, or HIV-free births -- requires decent statistics," Reuters reports in an article examining the use of statistics in public health ahead of the release of the WHO's World Health Statistics report.
Healthcare
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Most Topular Stories
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Reuters examines use of statistics in public health ahead of WHO report
Healthcare News Feed16 May 2012 | 5:04 am -
OIG audits: Poor hospital billing controls lead to $1M Medicare overpayments
Health Care News15 May 2012 | 11:41 am -
Forbes Health Stories:May 16, 2012
Forbes - Pharma & Healthcare15 May 2012 | 8:32 pmForbes contributors and staffers on science and medicine: -
Poll: Americans Show Support For Compensation Of Organ Donors
Health Care16 May 2012 | 2:00 amFederal law bans payments for organs. But about 60 percent of Americans support health care credits as compensation for organ donors, the NPR-Thomson Reuters Health Poll finds.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us -
Insurers face $1 trillion revenue at stake in health law
Healthcare Purchasing News Daily Update15 May 2012 | 8:10 amHealth insurers will gain $1 trillion in new revenue over the next eight years under the 2010 healthcare law...
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Healthcare News Feed
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Reuters examines use of statistics in public health ahead of WHO report
16 May 2012 | 5:04 am"Above all else, analyzing the state of the world's health -- be it by looking at obesity rates, cancer cases, malaria deaths, or HIV-free births -- requires decent statistics," Reuters reports in an article examining the use of statistics in public health ahead of the release of the WHO's World Health Statistics report. -
To maintain growth, Africa needs to improve food security, UNDP report says
16 May 2012 | 5:01 am"Africa needs to boost agricultural productivity and address the debilitating hunger that affects 27 percent of its population if it is to sustain its economic boom, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said in a report on Tuesday," Reuters reports. -
Calif. Gov. Brown's revised budget includes substantial Medi-Cal cuts
16 May 2012 | 4:58 amThe ballooning budget deficit in California might mean hospitals and nursing homes will get less state money. -
Reducing off-label antipsychotic use may generate savings with little impact on patient care
16 May 2012 | 4:57 amReducing the non-FDA-approved use of antipsychotic drugs may be a way to save money while having little effect on patient care, according to a Penn State College of Medicine study. -
Policy Innovation Memorandum examines safety of world drug, vaccine supply
16 May 2012 | 4:53 am"The world is facing two immediate health crises concerning drugs and vaccines: affordable and reliable access to life-sparing medicines and the safety and reliability of those medicines," Laurie Garrett, senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), writes in the council's Policy Innovation Memorandum No. 21, titled, "Ensuring the Safety and Integrity of the World's Drug, Vaccine, and Medicines Supply."
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Health Care News
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OIG audits: Poor hospital billing controls lead to $1M Medicare overpayments
15 May 2012 | 11:41 am -
Nurse leaders push for strong teamwork to improve care
15 May 2012 | 10:59 am -
Surgeons do more procedures when they take a cut of the profit
15 May 2012 | 10:34 am -
Patient home transfers call for encounter, documentation
15 May 2012 | 10:02 am -
West Penn lost $75.7M amid Highmark acquisition
15 May 2012 | 9:37 am
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Forbes - Pharma & Healthcare
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Forbes Health Stories:May 16, 2012
15 May 2012 | 8:32 pmForbes contributors and staffers on science and medicine: -
What Is A Medical Loss Ratio? The Check Will Be In The Mail
15 May 2012 | 1:45 pmThe piece of the Affordable Care Act in the news recently is the exciting subject of medical loss ratios. In the overall scheme of the reform law, this is a positive part of the legislation. -
No Benefit Found For Exercise Echocardiography In Asymptomatic Patients Following CABG Or PCI
15 May 2012 | 11:06 amRoutine exercise echocardiography in asymptomatic patients after revascularization does not lead to better outcomes, according to a new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine. Although guidelines generally discourage the practice, post-revascularization stress tests are still commonly performed. -
Vatican Academy Struggles With Internal Dissent Over Outreach to Biomedical Researchers
15 May 2012 | 9:59 amIt looks like trouble's been brewing since my last post on the cancellation of a major stem cell conference at the Vatican. -
Xience Stents Gain European Nod For Three-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy
15 May 2012 | 9:53 amThe biggest drawback to drug-eluting stents has been the requirement for prolonged dual antiplatelet (DAPT) therapy following stent implantation to prevent stent thrombosis and other potential complications. The precise length of DAPT has been the subject of considerable discussion and research.
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Health Care
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Poll: Americans Show Support For Compensation Of Organ Donors
16 May 2012 | 2:00 amFederal law bans payments for organs. But about 60 percent of Americans support health care credits as compensation for organ donors, the NPR-Thomson Reuters Health Poll finds.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us -
Cost Of Cancer Pills Can Be Hard For Medicare Patients To Swallow
15 May 2012 | 8:43 amHow some insurers pay for treatments means that cancer pills can wind up costing a patient more than an IV. Some states have passed laws to make sure that patients don't have to pay more to take pills. But those laws don't apply to Medicare.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us -
Sick From Fracking? Doctors, Patients Seek Answers
15 May 2012 | 2:03 amMysterious fumes wafting in from outside have repeatedly sickened several nurses at a rural Pennsylvania health clinic, forcing the clinic to temporarily relocate. Like many other people living near gas wells around the country, the clinic's staff wonder whether the industry in their backyard is making them sick.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us -
In Talent Hunt, Some Businesses Offer Health Benefits For Same-Sex Couples
14 May 2012 | 3:53 pmLast year, a little more than half of employers offered health benefits for domestic partner according to a nationally representative sample of about 3,000 employers surveyed by benefit consultant Mercer. That's up from a little less than one-third in 2010.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us -
FDA Gets Advice To Approve First Pill To Cut HIV Infections
11 May 2012 | 9:14 amA panel of experts said that Truvada, a daily pill, could help protect healthy people at high risk for HIV infection. The benefits, in their view, outweigh possible side effects, including kidney damage and a dangerous increase in acid in the blood.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
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Healthcare Purchasing News Daily Update
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Insurers face $1 trillion revenue at stake in health law
15 May 2012 | 8:10 amHealth insurers will gain $1 trillion in new revenue over the next eight years under the 2010 healthcare law... -
No prep colon exam finds big lesions
15 May 2012 | 8:10 amVirtual colonoscopy technology that eliminates the need for bowel preparation with laxatives... -
Sleepwalking more prevalent among US adults than previously suspected, Stanford researcher says
15 May 2012 | 8:09 amWhat goes bump in the night? In many U.S. households: people... -
Hospira announces a nationwide voluntary recall of one lot of Hydromorphone Hydrochloride injection
15 May 2012 | 8:09 amHospira, Inc., announced it is initiating a voluntary user level recall of one lot of Hydromorphone Injection... -
A once-unthinkable choice for amputees
15 May 2012 | 8:09 amApproximately two million people in the United States are living with amputations...
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ScienceDaily: Today's Healthcare News
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Surgeons restore some hand function to quadriplegic patient
15 May 2012 | 9:45 amSurgeons have restored some hand function in a quadriplegic patient with a spinal cord injury at the C7 vertebra, the lowest bone in the neck. Instead of operating on the spine itself, the surgeons rerouted working nerves in the upper arms. These nerves still “talk” to the brain because they attach to the spine above the injury. -
How to minimize damage from strokes, according to experts
14 May 2012 | 7:39 pmFollowing a stroke, factors as varied as blood sugar, body temperature and position in bed can affect patient outcomes, researchers report. -
Genetic test identifies eye cancer tumors likely to spread
14 May 2012 | 7:39 pmResearchers have developed a genetic test that can accurately predict whether the most common form of eye cancer will spread to other parts of the body, particularly the liver. The test successfully classified tumors more than 97 percent of the time. -
Superbug spreads from big city hospitals to regional health centers, study suggests
14 May 2012 | 2:31 pmHospitals in large cities act as breeding grounds for the superbug MRSA prior to it spreading to smaller hospitals, a study suggests. Researchers found evidence that shows for the first time how the superbug spreads between different hospitals throughout the country. -
Button battery risks: Number of battery-related emergency department visits by children more than doubles
14 May 2012 | 2:29 pmIn today’s technology-driven world, batteries, especially button batteries, are everywhere. They power countless gadgets and electronic items that we use every day. While they may seem harmless, button batteries can be dangerous if swallowed by children. A new study found that the annual number of battery-related emergency department visits among children younger than 18 years of age more than doubled over the 20-year study period, jumping from 2,591 emergency department visits in 1990 to 5,525 emergency department visits in 2009. The number of button batteries swallowed by children also…
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Healthcare Intelligence Network
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New Rule Would Bring Medicaid Payments for Primary Care in Line with Medicare’s
14 May 2012 | 10:00 amUnder a proposed rule, Medicaid will reimburse primary care services for family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatric medicine and related sub-specialists at Medicare levels in 2013 and 2014. Such a ruling could help encourage primary care physicians to continue and expand their services to Medicaid beneficiaries, including providing checkups, preventive screenings, vaccines and other care, CMS officials say. CMS follows the AMA’s recommendations when calculating physicians’ fees under Medicare nearly 90 percent of the time, a report from Columbia University finds. The… -
Meet Case Management Manager Hillary Calderon: Care Coordination Crucial to Achieving Better Outcomes, Costs
10 May 2012 | 9:57 amThis month we provide an inside look at a healthcare case management manager, the choices she made on the road to success, and the challenges ahead. Hillary Calderon, RN, Senior Manager of Corporate Case Management for HCA HIN: Tell us a little about yourself and your credentials. Hillary Calderon: I have been a director of case management for over 16 years. I worked for (now Vanguard-owned) Baptist Hospital in San Antonio for nine years, and then transitioned to an HCA-owned facility in San Antonio, Northeast Methodist Hospital. I am an RN, working on my master’s degree. What was your… -
Self-Examination: Industry Questioning Necessity, Cost Irregularities of Healthcare Services
2 May 2012 | 3:27 pmRegardless of whether the Supreme Court overhauls health reform, the industry is seriously thinking about ways to cut healthcare spending, either by reexamining the need for commonly administered services or unraveling the mysteries of medical bills. As we reported in a recent news story here, a coalition of nine leading physician specialty societies representing nearly 375,000 physicians have identified specific tests or procedures that they say are commonly used but not always necessary in their respective fields. Coordinated by ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely campaign, the lists of… -
Organ Donation and 5 More Reasons Healthcare Should Follow Consumers to Social Media
1 May 2012 | 1:11 pmNow that Facebook users can post their organ donor status as easily as photos of last night’s dinner, it might be time for healthcare to “like” social media a little more. Starting today, Facebook users can indicate in their timeline that they’re an organ donor. They can also share stories about their decision to become a donor and register for state and national organ donor registries. Facebook’s move reflects the increasing integration of social media and health behaviors. Consumers, especially 18- to 24-year-olds, are heavily invested in social media use for… -
CMS Proposes Increased Hospital Fees for Improved Patient Care
30 Apr 2012 | 10:00 amHospitals are getting a raise, of sorts. CMS has proposed a rule that would update Medicare payment policies and increase rates for inpatient stays at general acute care and long term care hospitals. The ruling, if finalized, is designed to strengthen patient care and promote quality over volume, CMS officials say. Included are quality measures regarding hospital-acquired infections, and a new HCAHPS survey measure regarding care transitions. Public input will be accepted until June 25th. Care transitions is the subject of a new report from Avalere Health for the Alliance of Community Health…
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Health IT News
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AMA wants two-year delay of ICD-10
15 May 2012 | 1:26 pmThe American Medical Association wants the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to extend the deadline for ICD-10 "at a minimum" to Oct. 1, 2015, according to a letter sent to acting administrator Marilyn Tavenner last week. "A year's delay does not provide CMS with adequate time to fully examine the appropriate scope of ICD-10 and true costs to physician practices," AMA CEO James Madara, M.D. wrote. The request comes on the heels of letters from both the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and the American Health Information Management… -
Docs should be wary of anti-kickback laws when implementing HIT
15 May 2012 | 1:18 pmThis week's Health 2.0 Spring Fling in Boston is, more that anything, a celebration of innovation in healthcare--as evidenced by the announcement that Health 2.0 has awarded more than $1 million in through its Developer Challenge series--but a panel session on the opening day of the conference outlined the importance of being cautious regarding technology innovation, implementation and use. Healthcare attorney and blogger David Harlow, one of the panel members, said that despite the evolution of technology use in healthcare, anti-kickback laws governing arrangements of its use have… -
Public hospital association assails MU Stage 2 proposal
15 May 2012 | 9:41 amThe National Association of Public Hospitals & Health Systems (NAPH) has released an issue brief on "Health Technology and the Safety Net" that is, in effect, a commentary on the Meaningful Use Stage 2 proposal of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Nearly all (97 percent) of NAPH members plan to participate in both the Medicare and the Medicaid electronic health record incentive programs, the brief says. That's well above the 74 percent of all hospitals that intend to participate. But NAPH members are more likely than other hospitals to be unable to… -
Hybrid heart surgery helps patients bounce back
14 May 2012 | 1:13 pmA two-stage procedure that combines coronary stenting with robotically assisted bypass surgery can minimize complications and get patients back on their feet faster, researchers report. The surgery does not require splitting the chest. Instead “keyhole” surgery is performed through small incisions between the ribs, speeding recovery. The da Vinci surgical robot assists the cardiac surgeon in re-routing blood around the most critical blockages, while other blockages are treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which typically involves both angioplasty and stenting,… -
VA outlines protection of VLER data
14 May 2012 | 12:58 pmThe use of firewalls and increased encryption to protect data transmissions between various operational systems and warehouses are among several steps the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to take to safeguard patient data used in the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) program, according to a recent notice posted in the Federal Register. The VA will limit access to databases with such information only to individuals whose job requires that access, and will enforce that access using information security officers, in addition to security software, according to the notice. What’s…
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The Health Care Blog
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Gamification
15 May 2012 | 2:21 pmBy John Halamka, MD Recently, I’ve met with several internet startups, web thought leaders, and venture capitalists. There’s one word that’s come up in every conversation and it’s not Plastics. It’s Gamification. Gamification, described by Wikipedia is applying gaming principles to non-gaming applications and processes, “in order to encourage people to adopt them, or to influence how they are used. Gamification works by making technology more engaging, by encouraging users to engage in desired behaviors, by showing a path to mastery and autonomy, by… -
Pills Still Matter
15 May 2012 | 1:53 pmBy David Shaywitz, MD Reviewing “The Myth of The Paperless Office” for the New Yorker in 2002, Malcolm Gladwell argued that if the computer had come first, and paper didn’t exist, someone would have had to invent it. Paper, it turns out, is a lot more useful than we typically appreciate. It occurred to me that perhaps the same might be said of another product we seem to take for granted in the digital age – medicines. (Disclosure: I work at a company that makes them.) Medicines – you know, those little white pills that everyone loves to critique – are in many cases remarkably… -
The Lifesaving(?) Technology of Facebook
14 May 2012 | 12:06 pmBy Shannon Brownlee and Joe Colucci When most of us think about Facebook, the first phrase that comes to mind probably isn’t “good Samaritan.” Facebook is an easy way to keep in touch with friends, and it can be a gigantic time-suck, for sure, but last week the site did something that could truly benefit a lot of people. On May 1, Facebook launched an initiative to encourage users to become organ donors, and within 24 hours there had been a spike in the number of people volunteering their body parts for the good of others. California’s registry saw almost two months’ worth of… -
Red or Blue Pill for Payment Reform? Both Won’t Work
14 May 2012 | 10:37 amBy JOSHUA ARCHAMBAULT Are the House and Senate giving us a false choice for how to control health care costs in Massachusetts? Aren’t there other options? A few major themes have emerged from the two payment reform proposals and highlight the fact that they fail to align incentives for patients to be more involved in the purchase of their health insurance and their health care. For example, even with full transparency of cost and quality (which is a huge lift on its own) for many patients, high-cost still correlates with higher quality in medicine. A recent report from Attorney General… -
Activist Seeds – The Latest, Subtle Trend in Seed Investing
14 May 2012 | 8:02 amBy Jeff Bussgang When I entered the VC business 10 years ago, I tried to keep thinking about venture capital as a business, where the key focus area was on meeting the needs of our target customers — entrepreneurs and limited partner investors. In the case of entrepreneurs, those needs have changed radically in these last 10 years. The surge in seed investing over the last few years has been well-reported and analyzed. With advances in cloud computing, open source infrastructure, development tools and general “Lean Start-Up” techniques, entrepreneurs need less capital…
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Новости здравоохранения
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Здоровое питание, чем лучше питаться.
15 May 2012 | 9:49 pmМужчины часто крайне скептически относятся к самой идее здорового питания. Они опасаются, что лишатся любимых блюд и будут вынуждены сидеть на безвкусной каше из хлопьев, салатиках и прочей дряни, которой нормальный мужик никогда не наестся. Здоровое питание не очень здорово и для психики! Но оказывается, что еда,… -
Санбюлетень о вреде курения | MasterlanSchool
14 May 2012 | 5:34 pmДавайте разберемся, что такое бюллетень в современном понимании. Сегодня, можно сказать, что это периодическое издание, направленное на донесение той или иной информации целевой аудитории. призван воздействовать на умы курильщиков, так или иначе, заставляя их негативно относиться к вредной привычке и в дальнейшем… -
Окунаемся в Испанию вместе с Алексеем Бегаком, эфир передачи от 14.05.2012 г
14 May 2012 | 5:34 pmКак хочется оказаться в таком месте, где можно ничего не делать, греться на солнышке потягивать прохладный напиток и глядеть как суетятся другие. На самом деле это место есть — это солнечная Италия, с ее бешеной корридой, прохладной сангрию и завораживающим фламенко. Сегодняшний выпуск передачи с Новым домом на канале Россия… -
То, что не знали о йогурте | Блог о потенции - MisterJoy.ru
14 May 2012 | 5:34 pmВ качестве испытателей полезного продукта выступили лабораторные мыши. Ученые Массачусетского технологического института отметили огромную пользу, которую оказывал йогурт на организм грызунов. Так, у мышей, которые регулярно получали йогурт яички стали тяжелее на 15% и выше на целых 5%, относительно контрольной группы… -
Мармелад
14 May 2012 | 5:34 pm© 2011 Портал о здоровом образе жизни. Источник: http://help-me.by
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Health Business Blog
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Interview with new Castlight Health President John Driscoll
15 May 2012 | 9:57 amThis morning Castlight Health named former Medco executive John Driscoll as its new President. In this podcast interview John describes his new role and the opportunities he’s looking forward to. Topics include: How John plans to partner with CEO Dr. Giovanni Colella How lessons from the PBM field can be applied to Castlight’s transparency model What Castlight plans to do with its recent $100 million Series D investment The potential impact of the upcoming Supreme Court decision on ObamaCare and the Presidential election Share -
John Driscoll joins Castlight Health as President
15 May 2012 | 8:30 amCastlight Health is getting serious about pursuing its ambition to bring health care transparency to employers and payers. Earlier this month it announced a $100 million Series D investment and today it named ex-Medco Health Solutions executive John Driscoll as its new President. I’ve known John since 1989 when we worked together as consultants at LEK in Boston. Later John went to Oxford Health Plans and Walker Digital before joining Medco. At Medco he helped the company enter a variety of markets including Medicare, pharmaceutical services and international. Somewhere along the way I… -
Health Wonk Review is up at Insure Blog
15 May 2012 | 7:58 amCheck out the latest Health Wonk Review at Insure Blog. (I’m five days late with this announcement but the posts are still timely.) Share -
When it’s a good idea to be a difficult patient
14 May 2012 | 9:52 pmI’m fascinated by the topics raised in a new Health Affairs article, “Authoritarian Physicians and Patients’ Fear Of Being Labeled ‘Difficult’ Among Key Obstacles To Shared Decision Making.” There’s a lot to say on this issue. I’ll touch on just a couple of points here and try to write some more about it another time. Researchers facilitated focus groups with a group of mostly well educated, affluent adults in Palo Alto, CA. About half had a graduate degree, and 40 percent had incomes over $100,000. Not surprisingly, as a whole this group wanted… -
Transcript of Dreyfus interview has moved
11 May 2012 | 8:45 amThe updated transcript of my interview with Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA CEO Andrew Dreyfus has moved. Please access the new version here. Share
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Health Blog
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Sleep or Sex: Do You Have to Choose?
15 May 2012 | 3:10 pmMemory-foam mattresses are the fastest-growing category of mattresses, but for some buyers, there's a tradeoff.... -
What Geneticists Think You Should Know
15 May 2012 | 8:03 amCheaper genome sequencing means relatively soon you may get a chance to find your risks for different diseases. But do you really want to know? -
A.M. Vitals: Using DNA to Create Family Trees
15 May 2012 | 7:23 amHere's what's making health news this morning: Websites Use DNA to Create Family Trees (WSJ): Detailed maps of the human genome have become less expensive, and they're going social, enabling users to build personal online networks that become more useful as more people sign up. Ancestry.com, a genealogy website with about 1.9 million subscribers, rolled out a $99 DNA service that lets users compare points on their own genome with others. Making Gene Mapping Part of Everyday Care (WSJ): The cost of mapping a person's full genetic profile has been dropping quickly. Now, doctors are struggling… -
What Happens When One Man’s Genome Is Revealed
14 May 2012 | 5:16 pmStanford University School of Medicine's Michael Snyder has learned firsthand how gene sequencing can change a person's daily life. -
New Caution Urged Over Sole Oral MS Drug On the Market
14 May 2012 | 4:30 pmThe FDA says the only oral multiple-sclerosis drug on the market shouldn't be used in patients with a recent history of stroke or some heart problems.
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Health Care Policy and Marketplace Review
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The Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Report—Just Fiddling While Rome is Burning
26 Apr 2012 | 11:13 amToday’s headline was, “Millions Expected To Receive Insurance Rebates Totaling $1.3 Billion.”The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that 3.4 million people in the individual market will receive $426 million in consumer rebates because of the Affordable Care Act's new MLR rules. In the small group market 4.9 million enrollees will see $377 million in rebates, and 7.5 million people will get $540 -
What Would Individual Health Insurance Cost if the Court Strikes the Mandate Down and Still Requires Insurers to Cover Everyone?
29 Mar 2012 | 12:20 pmWith the Supreme Court justices sounding like they might strike the mandate down, this is a question I've been getting a lot lately.I have pointed to New Jersey as a real life example of what can happen when insurance reforms take place but there is no incentive for consumers to buy it until the day they need it.In 1992, New Jersey passed health insurance reform that required insurance carriers -
If the Supreme Court Overturns the Individual Mandate
28 Mar 2012 | 10:37 amFirst, trying to predict how the Court will rule is at best just speculation. I know what Justice Kennedy said both today and yesterday and it certainly doesn’t look good for the Obama administration and upholding at least the mandate.But I will remind everyone, based upon oral arguments, most Court watchers expected a ruling in favor of the biotech industry on a recent case involving health care -
Will the Pace of Innovative Change Overtake the Financial Imperative to Slash Spending?
8 Mar 2012 | 2:13 pmI thought it was worth passing along the comments by Jim Tallon, president of New York's United Hospital Fund, in a recent post.Tallon reflected on an international meeting he attended with health care leaders from a number of industrial nations--"nations whose health care systems, indeed underlying philosophies, ranged from market orientation through hybrids to government authority:" "Across -
"Five Myths About Medicare"
26 Feb 2012 | 2:02 pmI recommend you read John Rother's recent op-ed in the Washington Post, "Five Myths About Medicare."John argues that each of these statements is a myth:Medicare is inefficient and fails to control costs--the CBO has projected that per capita spending will grow only 1% more than inflation over the next decade.The well-off don't pay enough for their Medicare benefits--working age premiums as well
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Health Policy and Communications » Blog
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Health Insurance Security Creates Jobs
22 Apr 2012 | 5:32 pmPeople feeling secure that their health insurance will continue (or be easy to get) creates an often overlooked societal benefit, i.e., it promotes job creation – particularly for entrepreneurs. Because this value is hard to quantify, it is seldom seen in policy or political rhetoric. (It is also overshadowed by the general “job lock” phenomenon of employment-based health insurance.) This week’s National Journal has a great article on this topic (“The Other Jobs Bill”) that examines Massachusetts’ experience with their insurance reforms and coverage… -
Accountability in Healthcare – What People Think of the Coming Changes
16 Dec 2011 | 8:22 amFollowing up on my pre-Thanksgiving post, I’m reporting back on what friends and relatives think about some of the terms for new healthcare delivery entities, e.g., Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH). What I heard is consistent with my previous conversations: People think that ACOs are like HMOs, and Medical Homes might be nursing homes, home health, or hospice, etc. One great insight came from my cousin who is a teacher. She told me that teachers react negatively to the word “accountability” because of the No Child Left… -
Healthcare Turkey Talk
21 Nov 2011 | 11:15 amThanksgiving is a great occasion for learning what people think about the future of the US healthcare system.* This year, I’m going to find out what people are thinking about some of the coming health delivery system changes – particularly Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH). I’ve conducted this two-question informal survey with handfuls of people and found their level of knowledge and positive reactions equivalent to Congress’s approval rating, i.e. 9%. This is worrisome, since if transforming the US healthcare system to increase value… -
Era of Accountable Care
24 Oct 2011 | 8:17 amFor many months I’ve been talking about the array of health transformation initiatives the Department of Health and Human Services has been deploying as both demonstrations and programmatic changes. I’ve been characterizing this strategy to create more accountability as an evolving menu, buffet, or map – sort of like those magical Harry Potter maps where the lines keep appearing on the parchment to create a recognizable image. As part of releasing the final rules for the Medicare Shared Savings Program, HHS also put forth a document subtitled “Menu of Options for… -
Smoking is So Bad For You That……..It Makes Me Sick
13 Oct 2011 | 7:44 amThe evidence for the ill effects of smoking keeps getting stronger and scarier. If one were to construct a balance sheet of tobacco’s pros and cons it would look much worse than the one Bernie Madoff was hiding from his investors and the SEC. Making the Risk of Smoking Personal I was recently talking with one of my IT consultants and we started discussing tobacco use since he thought his smoking might have been one reason he’d been denied health insurance. What he – and many people – don’t realize is that the major health risk from smoking is not lung cancer,…
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Healthcare Economist
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Plastic Surgery in China
15 May 2012 | 1:35 amChina standard is living as funds from export industries eventually trickle down into the earnings of (some) ordinary Chinese. Where are the Chinese spending their newfound wealth? In part, the answer is self-beautification procedures. According to the Economist: “China performs more cosmetic surgery than any country except America and Brazil. Almost 1.3m licensed procedures were carried out in 2010, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (as well as many more unlicensed ones). The market, which barely existed 15 years ago, is now worth some $2.4… -
A lifeline for antibiotics research?
14 May 2012 | 7:58 amAntibiotics such as penicillin have helped to fight numerous diseases such as syphilis, and infections caused by staphylococci and streptococci. However, overuse of antibiotics is a problem. Physicians sometimes prescribe antibiotics to fight viral infections even though antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections. Because of this overuse, more and more strains of drug-resistant bacteria are appearing. The Economist estimates that drug-resistant bacteria cost Europe alone €1.5 billion per year in health care cost and lost productivity. Creating new antibiotics… -
ObamaCare stymied in New Jersey?
11 May 2012 | 1:40 pmGovernor Chris Christie vetoes a bill today that would form have created a health exchange in New Jersey. “While I appreciate the Legislature’s attempt to find steady policy footing in these shifting legal sands, I am concerned that a hastily created exchange in New Jersey will impose unnecessary obligations upon the state’s citizens,” Christie said in his veto message. “I believe the better course of action … is to continue to monitor the ever-changing landscape surrounding the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and to refrain from imposing its mandates… -
How Effective is Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?
11 May 2012 | 8:44 amFor patients with osteoarthritis, the answer is not at all. A paper in the New England Journal of Medicine examined 180 patients 75 years old or younger, that had osteoarthritis of the knee, and reported at least moderate knee pain on average despite medical treatment. The researchers randomized this individuals into three groups: Surgery Group #1 (Lavage): The joint was lavaged with at least 10 liters of fluid. Anything that could be flushed out through arthroscopic cannulas was removed. Normally, no instruments were used to mechanically débride or remove tissue. Surgery Group #2… -
HWR at InsureBlog
10 May 2012 | 8:49 amThe latest edition of the health work review is up at InsureBlog.
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Who Moved My Dentures? Essential Information for Boomers on Healthcare, Aging and Caregiving
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MS Caregiver Burdens Greater than the General Family Caregiver
15 May 2012 | 8:00 am -
MS Caregiver Burdens Greater than the General Family Caregiver
14 May 2012 | 8:00 amMultiple Sclerosis Caregivers 2012 is a report based on a survey conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving with support from the National MS Society that reveals that the physical, mental and financial burdens on family caregivers of people with MS are significantly greater than the general family caregiving population. Half of MS patients experience “mental confusion” that negatively impacts caregivers in regards to their own mental health (43%) and overall financial situation (47%). In addition, 86% of family caregivers of people with MS indicated needing assistance in… -
Prudential Pulls Out of Individual LTC Insurance - The Story Behind the Story
11 May 2012 | 8:00 am“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts” Daniel Patrick Moynihan A guest blog from Raymond Lavine/ www.lavineltcinsurance.com / 253.778.6831 or 888.222.1789 / lavineltcins@gmail.com Prudential Insurance Company… -
Simplified Benefit Statements Coming from Medicare (VIDEO)
10 May 2012 | 8:00 am -
Simplified Benefit Statements Coming from Medicare
9 May 2012 | 8:00 amMedicare recipients soon will see simplified benefit statements with added protections against Medicare fraud. CMS has revamped its Medicare Summary Notices, which are the billing statements beneficiaries receive in the mail every three months. Larger type and explanations of services in plain English make these easier to read and understand. Additionally, Medicare offers a $1,000 reward to beneficiaries who report potential cases of fraud, but until now, the reward has never been spelled out on the form. The newly designed forms are online but won't be available in paper form until 2013.
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Health Affairs Blog
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The Latest Health Wonk Review
15 May 2012 | 3:56 pmA belated tip of the hat to Hank Stern’s Health Wonk Review at Insure Blog. Hank offers a nice collection of posts, including Diane Meier’s Health Affairs Blog post on Amy Berman’s Narrative Matters essay and overcoming barriers to palliative care. Happy reading! -
Early Lessons From A Shared Risk, Integrated Care Organization Serving A Commercial Population
15 May 2012 | 10:16 amBackground: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ designation of 32 accountable care organizations (ACOs) across the U.S. to enroll Medicare fee-for-service patients beginning in 2012 makes ACOs an important feature of the national healthcare landscape–at least for publicly insured patients.However in 2007, Blue Shield of California, along with provider and employer partner organizations, began [...] -
When Epidemiology Goes Astray: Valuing Cancer Care In The United States And Europe
14 May 2012 | 12:51 pmIn a recent Health Affairs paper, we documented that the United States has a significant survival advantage over much of Europe when it comes to cancer: 1.8 years for those diagnosed during our study window. Furthermore, we showed over a 17-year period that this gap had widened, not narrowed, and that this widening was more [...] -
Implementing Health Reform: The Minimum Loss Ratio & Summary Of Benefits And Coverage
13 May 2012 | 9:18 amThe two most significant—and controversial–Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance reforms of 2012 are the minimum medical loss ratio (MLR) rebate and the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) requirement. On Friday, May 11, 2012, further regulatory guidance was released on both of these initiatives. Tidying Up The MLR Rules The minimum medical loss ratio requirement [...] -
Health Policy Brief: Workplace Wellness Programs
11 May 2012 | 10:54 amA new Health Policy Brief from Health Affairs and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examines trends in workplace wellness programs and the potential impact of provisions of the Affordable Care Act of 2010. About two-thirds of companies that offer health benefits to workers also provide a wellness program, such as health-risk assessments and screenings for [...]
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Medicare News Blog
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Medicare cheaters are soaking the taxpayers
16 May 2012 | 2:55 amLast year, the federal budget took a hit of $60 billion due to Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse, according to the U.S. Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services. This month, federal officials charged more than 100 health-care providers with Medicare fraud as a result of unrelated scams in seven major cities. Federal raids uncovered $452 million worth of false Medicare claims for… Related NewsMedicare cheaters are soaking the taxpayersMedicare Drug Abuse: 170,000 Reportedly Scored Large Quantities Of Drugs On Taxpayers’ DimeMedicare oxygen policy short of breadth -
Medicare cheaters are soaking the taxpayers
16 May 2012 | 2:55 amLast year, the federal budget took a hit of $60 billion due to Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse, according to the U.S. Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services. This month, federal officials charged more than 100 health-care providers with Medicare fraud as a result of unrelated scams in seven major cities. Federal raids uncovered $452 million worth of false Medicare claims for… Related NewsMedicare cheaters are soaking the taxpayersMedicare Drug Abuse: 170,000 Reportedly Scored Large Quantities Of Drugs On Taxpayers’ DimeMedicare oxygen policy short of breadth -
AARP arming for Medicare battle
15 May 2012 | 4:52 pm"Imagine a world without Medicare." That's the rallying cry of a new grassroots campaign launched today by the giant seniors group AARP that will include town hall meetings in 50 states and national television ads. read more Related NewsAARP arming for Medicare battleAARP arming for Medicare battleAARP arming for Medicare battle -
AARP arming for Medicare battle
15 May 2012 | 4:52 pm"Imagine a world without Medicare." That's the rallying cry of a new grassroots campaign launched today by the giant seniors group AARP that will include town hall meetings in 50 states and national television ads. read more Related NewsAARP arming for Medicare battleAARP arming for Medicare battleAARP arming for Medicare battle -
Bensalem man gets 46 months in Medicare scam
15 May 2012 | 4:09 pmA Bensalem man who ran the day-to-day operations of an Olney-based private ambulance company for almost seven years was sentenced to 46 months in a federal lockup Tuesday for his role in a scheme to bilk Medicare. U.S. District Judge William H. Yohn, Jr. also ordered Ivan Tkach, 30, to pay resititution of more than $1.2 million to Medicare. Yohn gave Tkach until June 15 to report to the Bureau… Related NewsBensalem man gets 46 months in Medicare scamTX Man Indicted in Philly in Medicare Wheelchair ScamTex. Man Indicted in Philly in Medicare Wheelchair Scam
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db's Medical Rants
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The biggest therapeutic advance in the last 10 yrs – #10yrsblog
16 May 2012 | 5:23 amA faithful reader writes: What drug or therapy released in the last 10 years has had the greatest positive impact? This question stumped me for several days. I tried to think of a new drug that I use a great deal. Most new drugs now have important niches. I considered rifaxamin for hepatic encephalopathy, ceftaroline for complex skin infections or dabigatran for anticoagulating patients with atrial fibrillation. I thought, and this morning the answer came. The most important advance in the last 10 yrs is the Walmart $4 drug list! Several things about this list. -
What performance measures have wraught
15 May 2012 | 6:11 pmA reader sent this to me anonymously: Healthcare-acquired pneumonia has been ruled out based on the following reasons. The first is that the patient's respiratory status has not worsened over the past month while he has been on treatment. Secondly, the patient is afebrile. Thirdly, the patient has normal WBC count of 8.2 and normal neutrophil count of 72.5. Thirdly, the chest x-ray is normal and has no acute sign of infiltrate. Fourthly, the patient has a normal lactate of 0.9 and fifthly, the patient is alert and talking and is not septic in any way and… -
How blogging has helped me academically #10yrsblog
15 May 2012 | 5:54 amA colleague wrote: Has blogging been an interesting side note to your career as an academic professor in medicine or has it been a more integral part of your own professional development? I was already quite successful in my academic career, but I still believe that blogging has enhanced my effectiveness. So what has blogging done for me? First, I had incomplete writer's block. While I wrote articles occasionally, I was slow, and avoided writing most of the time. Blogging changed this dramatically. Because I write most days, my writing has improved dramatically. -
No influences allowed on my blog #10yrsblog
14 May 2012 | 4:52 amI got asked this question: How can pharma companies work collaboratively with health bloggers? What's needed? On this blog it is not happening. No pharma, no device companies, no requested guest blogs. No collaborations! In my opinion, one must take blogging seriously or just forget about having the blog mean anything. I have written extensively about pharma, and mostly negatively. While I appreciate their research and the important drugs they develop, I markedly dislike their marketing and their frequent lack of ethics. So how could I work with them? Simple… -
What explains blogging longevity? #10yrsblog
13 May 2012 | 6:24 amI started this blog May 19th, 2002. Explaining longevity is subjective. Mostly, I like blogging. I find it fun to put my ideas into words. Some have asked me how I get so many ideas. I read other blogs, some journals, the NY Times Health section and I see patients. Ideas come from all those and more. Sometimes an idea comes from a conversation that I have with a friend. Many of my ideas repeat, after all how many different subjects do we have to address. But even with an old idea one can find a new angle. I try to do that regularly. I vary…
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Let's Talk Health Care
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Weekly Radio Segment – Financial Safety Net
2 May 2012 | 2:11 pmEric’s weekly radio segment – click here to listen Recently, there’s been talk of limiting the amount of financial reserves that Massachusetts health insurers are allowed to carry. While this may sound like a good idea, it’s not; reserves provide a safety net that ensures hospitals and physicians get paid and consumers are protected in the event of a disaster, widespread illness, or catastrophic event. While we hope that these things never happen, if they do, health plans need to be prepared to respond. In Massachusetts, our highly-rated health plans have reserve levels that… -
Weekly Radio Segment – “Boston Moves For Health” Initiative
2 May 2012 | 2:00 pmEric’s weekly radio segment – click here to listen. While obesity remains a major public health issue, researchers at our Harvard Pilgrim Institute brought us some good news this week from a regional study that shows declining obesity rates in very young children. Finally, the hard work from innovative public and private programs is beginning to pay off. All involved throughout our community are to be congratulated, including folks at our Harvard Pilgrim Institute and Foundation where obesity prevention has been our top priority. Much good work has been done yet more still needs… -
Weekly Radio Segment – Provider Price Reform
18 Nov 2011 | 9:42 amEric’s Weekly Radio Segment – Click here to listen Last week, the special Commission on Provider Price Reform put a spotlight on the problem of high prices charged by hospitals and physician groups that wield excessive market power. They recommended a series of strategies to fix this major cost driver. Economics tells us that in a well-functioning market, prices will vary depending on the value of the product or service we purchase. For example, some people are fine purchasing a $5,000 used car and others want a new $35,000 electric car. In either case, we know the value… -
Weekly Radio Segment – Provider Strategy
21 Oct 2011 | 7:27 amClick Here To Listen to Eric’s Weekly Radio Segment. At Harvard Pilgrim, we’re working with physicians to develop new care delivery models. This collaborative effort aims to improve patient care, streamline decision making and take waste out of the health care system. One program focuses on Orthopedic care. When working closely with physicians and hospitals, we see real opportunity to improve quality and reduce costs. We put the Orthopedic surgeon at the center of the care team, who coordinates all services based on what is best for the patient. Our strategy looks at… -
Harvard Pilgrim Named #1 Private Health Plan in America*
11 Oct 2011 | 4:25 pmHarvard Pilgrim has been named the #1 private health plan in America once again according to an annual ranking of the nation’s best health plans by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Click here to listen to Eric’s announcement *HMO/POS. NCQA’s Private Health Insurance Plan Rankings, 2011-12 – Private. U.S. News/NCQA America’s Best Health Insurance Plans 2005-2009 (annual). America’s Best Health Insurance Plans is a trademark of U.S. News & World Report. NCQA The State of Health Care Quality 2004.
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Health Care Renewal
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The CEO as False Messiah
13 May 2012 | 10:34 pmWhy is the leadership of health care organizations so bad? An important explanation of one part of the puzzle appears on InformationWeek's Brainyard blog written by Venkatesh Rao. The Visionary, Charismatic, or Messianic LeaderIn "The Fall of the Messiah Leader," Rao described the rise of the concept of "visionary" leadership:we'll look at the rise in the 1980s and impending fall of the idea of 'Leadership' as a pop business construct. The role of visionary leader emerged to make up for the apparent failure of the manager mind, but it evolved into something very… -
ONC's "Health Data Palooza" - A Title of Exceptionally Bad Taste, For a "See No Evil" Meeting
10 May 2012 | 12:21 pmThe Office of the National Coordinator of Health IT has sent out this announcement:Subject: HEALTH DATA PALOOZA III: Unleashing the Power of Data to Improve HealthFrom: ONC Health IT Date: Thu, May 10, 2012 10:36 am HEALTH DATA PALOOZA III: Unleashing the Power of Data to Improve HealthJune 5-6th, Washington DCHealth Data and Innovation Weekwww.hdiforum.org | #healthdataCONFIRMED SPEAKERSKathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human ServicesMarc Bertolini, CEO AetnaThomas Goetz, Execuitve Editor of WIREDAtul Gawande, surgeon and authorBill Frist, former… -
Abbott Pleads Guilty, Settles for $1.6 Billion, but No Individuals Suffer Negative Consequences
7 May 2012 | 4:00 pmOnce again, another big US health care organization is set to make a (monetarily) huge legal settlement. As reported by Bloomberg, Abbott Laboratories will settle allegations about its marketing of Depakote (valproic acid), nominally an anti-seizure medication:Abbott Laboratories (ABT) (ABT) said it will pay $1.6 billion to settle federal and state claims resulting from an investigation into its epilepsy medication Depakote, the second-largest drug-marketing settlement in U.S. history.The company will pay $800 million to resolve civil allegations split among federal and state… -
From Serving the Poor to Paying Executives Millions - Carolinas HealthCare System
4 May 2012 | 11:26 amA striking contrast between a large health care organization's historic mission and its current practices appeared in a series published by the Charlotte News-Observer called "Prognosis: Profits" about the Carolinas HealthCare System.A Historical Mission to Serve the Poor The system evolved from a public hospital meant to serve the poor. In particular,(1)Only 30 years ago, it was a charity hospital called Charlotte Memorial – a crowded, dreary place that lost money every year because most of its patients couldn’t pay their bills.The hospital system is actually "a public,… -
A Conference on the Psychology of Deception and Unethical Behavior
2 May 2012 | 11:28 amThe Deception, Incentives and Behavior Conference at the Rady School of Management, University of California - San Diego, was attended by over 100 people, including me, indicating that there is real interest in studying deception and unethical behavior in the real world. Several presentations had implications for health care, summarized below by theme (titles of presentations follow entries in parentheses).ContextSeveral presentations discussed how context affects peoples' inclination to be honest or dishonest. Alexander Cappelan, Norwegian School of…
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Bioethics Discussion Blog
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A Change of the Medical System to Patient-Centered Consumerism: Is that What You Want?
14 May 2012 | 5:37 pmHere is what Donald M. Berwick, writing in Health Affairs May 2012 suggests a the way the medical system can really become "patient-centered" and not present only partial changes in that direction but, in my words, "not half cocked but going the whole way". So now look at this list of changes and see if this is how you would want your doctor, nurse, hospital and the whole system to behave.(1) Hospitals would have no restrictions on visiting—no restrictions of place or time or person, except restrictions chosen by and under the control of each individual patient. (2) Patients would… -
If You Were A Medical Student: How Would You Respond?
12 May 2012 | 2:00 pmThink about being a 23 year old student who was in his or her first few weeks of medical school with the only experience in medicine as an occasional patient with a minor illness or having experienced the reactions to significant illness in the family. You are challenged in these early days of becoming a doctor to sit across from a real patient lying in a hospital bed and told to take a medical history with no immediate assistance by an instructor. When the history is completed, the instructor will discuss with you about your experience. You have already been instructed regarding the… -
Overcoming the Inevitable in Medicine: Doctors Simply Doing Their Best Under the Circumstances
27 Apr 2012 | 5:16 pmThere is the story of the two campers whose tent is about to be invaded by a hungry bear. Despite both knowing that a bear can outrun a human, when one camper noted that the other was putting on his running shoes and tightening the shoe laces, the camper asked the other "why are you doing that?" The other camper responded "I don't have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun you!"I think there are a lot of times in medicine when doctors are faced with the task of simply doing their best under the circumstances. It is not that they are necessarily wholly incompetent, it is just that… -
IVF Ethics: Should an Embryo be Rejected Because It's Potentially "Sick"?
22 Apr 2012 | 3:28 pmThe more science provides folks techniques to manage infertility such as through invitro fertilization and then implantation and the more science also provides tools to determine before the embryo is implanted whether or not the embryo is "potentially sick" because it is carrying a serious genetic defect (preimplantation genetic diagnosis), society is faced with further ethical and legal dilemmas. Such a dilemma can be developed from the example above: should prospective parents who desire to have a child by undergoing invitro fertilization be required under law to first have their embryo… -
Does End-of-Life, Hospice, Comfort Care Represent "Murder, Euthanasia, Killing"?
16 Apr 2012 | 12:59 pmSurprisingly, after over 30 years of hospice care available for those who are terminally ill, the public and even physicians have interpreted end-of-life care, hospice and comfort care patient treatment as "murder, euthanasia and killing", Palliative medicine, treatment to relieve pain and discomfort, in patients who have no further treatment to resolve their disease is an established certified sub-specialty and yet physicians who perform this specialty are working under a cloud of such misperceptions. Read about this issue in Amednews (American Medical Association News).Do you look at…
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Health Care Organizational Ethics
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Gay Liberation and Psychiatric Arrogance
2 May 2012 | 7:00 amLast month at the Lyric Stage in Boston I saw The Temperamentals, a docudrama about the founding of the Mattachine Society, the first sustained LGBT advocacy organization in the US. The program pointed me to a biography of Harry Hay (1912 - 2002), founder of the Society. I was especially interested in Harry Hay's single encounter with psychiatry. Harry had been sexually (very) active since his teen years. He experienced no doubt about his sexual identity and wasn't conflicted about it, despite strong social stigma at the time. After his lone experience of heterosexual intercourse he blurted… -
"By Blood" by Ellen Ullman
28 Apr 2012 | 12:15 pmI've just finished reading a remarkable novel: By Blood by Ellen Ullman. I'd read in a review that the story is told by a disgraced professor who eavesdrops on a psychotherapy occurring in the adjacent office. How could I, after years of psychiatric practice, resist a story like that! The professor/narrator, whose name we never learn, and whose sordid doings at the university he's been forced to leave we only get hints about, is immediately obsessed with the young lesbian, adopted patient and her German born therapist. To the narrator, being adopted means being free… -
Returning to Practice After Loss of License
21 Apr 2012 | 11:30 amTwo years ago I wrote about Dr. Brian Kwetkowsi, a primary care physician in Rhode Island, who lost his license for having a sexual relationship with a patient. According to the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, Dr. Kwetkowski is a 1996 graduate of the New England College of Osteopathy, and is Board Certified in Family Medicine. The Board reported that three years prior to his voluntary surrender of his license, Dr. Kwetkowski commenced a sexual relationship with a 19 year old female patient. The Board required Dr. Kwetkowski to "enter a treatment facility and complete… -
The Ethics of Choosing Wisely and Practicing Efficiently
19 Apr 2012 | 9:15 amThis month the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation (ABIM) joined with nine medical specialty societies, each of which released a list of five tests, procedures or treatments whose use and clinical value were not supported by evidence, as determined by experts from the specialty. This is a major step for the US health system. We've been phobic about engaging seriously with waste. In the 1990s we asked insurers to do the job, but physicians and patients pushed back against "managed care," and insurers backed off. Now we physicians ourselves are stepping forward. It's about time! -
Making Doctors more Ethical
16 Apr 2012 | 8:00 amThe Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has redesigned its Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for the first time since 1991. For premeds, the MCAT is like the pearly gates - they have to pass through it to get to the promised land of medical school. It's more than 50 years since I took the MCAT, but as I wrote this paragraph I felt my pulse going up. Our innards don't forget major stressors from the past! Starting in 2015, the MCAT will add a section on psychology and sociology and another on critical analysis, to the sections on the hard sciences and mathematics. The…
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Global bioethics blog
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The ethics of drug addiction research in China
12 May 2012 | 9:09 pmReports about what goes on in 'drug rehabilitation centers' in China have been dribbling into the media for some time now. Arrest for illegal drug use in China can lead to compulsory treatment (for a minimum of 2 years) at detention centers that, according to a New York Times piece in 2010, function as de facto penal colonies where inmates are fed substandard food and denied basic medical care. The detentions are enforced by police, where the drug user has no opportunity to have a trial, face a judge or raise an appeal. When a drug user leaves detention, the problems do not end… -
Blog hiatus
12 May 2012 | 9:09 pmI have been away from the Global Bioethics blog for longer than usual. It was a matter of converging demands: the end of the semester and teaching duties, plus the grant-writing season was in full swing. The latter is a form of temporary insanity, short-term OCD: your life is consumed not only by designing a proposal, collaboratively with others (and all the give and take that involves), but the mad paper chase of getting up-to-date CVs, writing budgets, budget justifications, scopes of work, letters of support, progress reports, and much else besides, and then packaging it all in the right… -
Research ethics as a sideshow
22 Mar 2012 | 5:32 pmThere seems to be a new approach to the publication of research studies that have been conducted in a questionable way from an ethical point of view, or are otherwise regarded as 'ethically hot.' Call it the pre-emptive strike approach: you still publish the paper, but you also simultaneously publish editorials that criticize the researcher's ethics. A way of having your cake and eating it too. The researchers and their scientific readership are happy, because they get to look at the data; the ethics people are happy-ish, because at least the problems with the study have been raised. I am… -
Globally embarrassing bioethics
28 Feb 2012 | 8:00 pmFebruary continues to be a trying month in bioethics circles. This week we have a firestorm concerning an article published a couple of days ago in the Journal of Medical Ethics, entitled After-Birth Abortion: Why Should the Baby Live? The authors Alberto Giubilini and Francesca Minerva argue that as a matter of consistency, if we accept that fetuses can be aborted for certain reasons (severe abnormality, psychological or financial burden on the family) then we must rationally accept that newborns can be put to death for the same reasons, because both fetuses and newborns have the same moral… -
Research ethics committees in developing countries: something old, something new
25 Feb 2012 | 10:11 pmFebruary has been a rough month for bioethics in the USA. Alleged conflicts of interest at the American Journal of Bioethics -- the top ranked bioethics journal -- has lead to a kind of feeding frenzy of accusation, distain and soul-searching in regard to the whole idea of bioethics and how it is practiced in it's most powerful home. Is bioethics a lousy kind of philosophy? Does it just consist in rationalizing the newest biotechnology that comes along, and running intellectual roughshod over whatever traditional values (often religious) might be threatened by that technology? Is that why…
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Health Care Law Blog
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WVHCA Issues Policy Statement for Public Witnesses
29 Apr 2012 | 11:24 amOn April 11, 2012, the West Virginia Health Care Authority announced a new policy regarding the testimony for witnesses from the public before the Authority at certificate of need and rate hearings. The policy statement issued by James L. Pitrolo, Jr. Chairman, is effective from April 11, 2012 and states as follows: I. PURPOSE To establish procedures and guidelines governing the testimony for witnesses from the public. II. CANCELLATION This policy cancels and supersedes all prior memoranda regarding testimony for witnesses from the public. III. POLICY In order to ensure an orderly… -
MSBCBS of TN Settles HIPAA/HITECH Violation for $1.5M
14 Mar 2012 | 12:13 pmThe HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a settlement of $1.5M with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST) relating to potential violations under the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. According to the OCR press release, the enforcement action by OCR is the first reported as resulting from a breach report required under the new Breach Notification Rule implemented as a result of the HITECH provisions of HIPAA. The breach involved 57 unencrypted computer hard drives that were stolen from a facility leased by BCBST in Tennessee. The hard drives contained protected health information… -
OHFLAC Announces New Independent Informal Dispute Resolution Procedure for West Virginia Nursing Homes
10 Mar 2012 | 2:57 pmThe latest West Virginia Health Care Association e-News Update announced that the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC) has put into place a new Independent Informal Dispute Resolution (IIDR) review of disputed deficiencies for all nursing homes in West Virginia. The new IIDR procedure goes into effect immediately and three out of state vendors experienced in IDRs were selected to be the third party reviewers. The current Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) will remain as an alternative option. According to the e-News Update, the new procedure will be detailed in a… -
West Virginia Health Care Association Launches WV Senior Care Website
26 Feb 2012 | 2:15 pmThis past week health care colleague and CEO of the West Virginia Health Care Association, Patrick D. Kelly, advised me that the association has launched a new website to provide a resource for families and seniors who are researching residential and health care options in West Virginia. The website is called West Virginia Senior Care: Helping Seniors Make Informed Decisions About Senior Care and can be found at: http://www.wvseniorcare.com/. The website is designed to help all of us find information and make better decisions regarding care for our parents and the elderly. The website… -
CMS Issues proposed rule for Stage 2 Meaningful Use EHR Incentive Programs under HITECH
24 Feb 2012 | 8:30 amYesterday the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the proposed rule for Stage 2 Meaningful Use under the the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs which is a part of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH).The incentive program is part of the national health information technology reform effort under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which provides incentive payments to eligible health care professionals, eligible hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals who adopt certified EHR…
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HealthBlawg :: David Harlow's Health Care Law Blog
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Health 2.0 Spring Fling 2012 Tweetstream, Starting with Health Law 2.0
13 May 2012 | 9:44 pmHealth 2.0 Spring Fling comes to Boston this week. The pre-conference code-a-thon is already history. I'm going to help kick things off with a Health Law 2.0 session on Monday. For those who'd like to follow along at home Monday and Tuesday, here's the tweetstream; the hashtag is #health2con. <a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=5fdd5ee5a5"… -
In the press recently - Health care law and policy issues ... & some upcoming conferences
8 May 2012 | 9:38 pmHere's a sampling of some recent press, touching on the diversity of issues that I've been dealing with these days: Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Health Reform Law, Nation Awaits Decision We're counting down to a decision in late spring/early summer ... and I read today that oddsmakers are giving the law's opponents a slight edge. Smart Social Media Policy for Healthcare I've been working with health care providers on social media issues from a variety of perspectives; this article from Monster.com is focused on the employment-related issues that arise from health care organizations'… -
Nothing About Me Without Me - Participatory Medicine, Meaningful Use, and the American Hospital Association
6 May 2012 | 9:16 pmMeaningful Use Stage 2 regulations were released in March by CMS and ONC. Over the past month or so, I've been working with other members of the Society for Participatory Medicine (thank you, all) to prepare comments on these regulations from the patient perspective. Last Friday, we filed two comment letters on the proposed regulations. One letter to the ONC on Meaningful Use Stage 2, and one letter to CMS on Meaningful Use Stage 2. Each letter opens like this: The Society for Participatory Medicine applauds the work done to date in focusing on patient engagement in the proposed Stage 2… -
Monetization or medicine? Tracking organ donor status on Facebook
2 May 2012 | 9:18 amFacebook has announced a new box you can check off on your profile: organ donor. (It's available in the US & UK so far, for a total of almost 200 million members; more countries in the works.) What does this mean and why should you care? At bottom, this means that Facebook is adding yet another data point to the myriad bits and bytes it already has on so many of us (What's your birth date? Have you ever broken a bone? etc.), which it slices and dices in order to target ads and sell to third parties (and flog news of its upcoming IPO). Checking off the organ donor box on Facebook doesn't… -
Health Insurance Exchange Regulations and the Health Reform Challenge
25 Apr 2012 | 3:45 pmThe federal Health Insurance Exchange regulations were released in final form last week. (See Timothy Jost's précis on the Health Affairs blog and HHS presser.) I had the opportunity to hear Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine speak in Philadelphia about his state's progress towards building an exchange the very next day (I was speaking later on the program). Pennsylvania is one of the 26 states challenging the federal health reform law (and even has a state constitutional amendment afoot that would bar implementation of the individual mandate in…
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HealthLawProf Blog
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SIH/SIU Health Policy Institute
15 May 2012 | 12:55 pmI am delighted to be speaking at the Fourteenth Annual SIH/SIU Health Policy Institute later this week and honored to be included in a great group of speakers, here. I've been asked to do a summary of how we got... -
Worth Reading This Week
10 May 2012 | 9:59 pmStacey Tovino, All Illnesses are (Not) Created Equal: Reforming Federal Mental Health Insurance Law, SSRN/Harv. J. Leg. Gregg Bloche, Beyond the “R Word”? Medicine's New Frugality, NEJM Bruce M. Psaty et al, A Lifecycle Approach to the Evaluation of FDA... -
Guest Blogger Thaddeus Pope: Publishing Health Law Scholarship for Clinicians
9 May 2012 | 8:58 pmWith the close of the spring semester, the thoughts of most law professors turn to scholarship, to that “big” summer writing project. Not me. My summer is, instead, committed to a series of smaller research and writing projects. Over the... -
Guest Blogger Nicole Huberfeld: PPACA’s Hidden Coherence
9 May 2012 | 8:49 pmMany thanks to Katharine and the other editors for allowing me to crash their party this month. One of the major arguments against severability in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) litigation is that the law addresses many... -
Introducing Guest Blogger Nicole Huberfeld
9 May 2012 | 1:20 pmThe Health Law Prof Blog is pleased to introduce our second guest blogger for the month of May, Professor Nicole Huberfeld. Here is her short bio: Nicole Huberfeld is Professor of Law at the University of Kentucky College of Law...
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Most Popular Items from healthcarefinancenews.com
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3 ways to optimize your hospital's HVAC performance
11 May 2012 | 6:59 amUpgrading or replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is one of the most cited energy improvements hospital executives are implementing, 37% according to a Health Facilities Management 2011 survey. It’s no surprise either as enhancing these systems are tried-and-true methods of generating cost savings as well as promoting patient care. Election Feature Content: No Feature No sticky read more -
Rethinking the hospital's operating room
4 May 2012 | 7:18 amAn operating room (OR) that has medical imaging, catheter-based interventions and surgery may sound far fetched as these disciplines have traditionally been in separate spaces, but as hospitals are discovering new and more efficient methods and technologies of delivering patient care, they are bringing these processes together. Election Feature Content: No Feature No sticky read more -
7 keys to getting healthcare execs on board with social media
2 May 2012 | 11:38 amAs social media continues to be employed as part of a healthcare organization's business strategy, there are bound to be some who are leery of its benefits. Election Feature Content: No Feature read more -
9 ways social media is impacting the business of healthcare
26 Apr 2012 | 11:57 amAccording to a recent report by the Health Research Institute at PwC US, nine distinct uses of social media are helping companies to have an impact on the healthcare business, and to take a more active and engaged role in managing individuals' health. Election Feature Content: No Feature read more -
Lean helps drive hospital quality and efficiency
26 Apr 2012 | 7:37 amHow can hospitals promote efficiency and high-quality results? Look at a Lean approach when designing a new hospital or redesigning an existing one. Used as a way of managing data gathering and analysis to help develop a smooth workflow environment, Lean methods help direct optimal operational layout of health facilities. Election Feature Content: No Feature No sticky read more
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News from healthcarefinancenews.com
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R.I. hospitals contributed $6.3B to state's economy in 2010
15 May 2012 | 1:31 pmAccording to a new report released by the Hospital Association of Rhode Island (HARI), Rhode Island hospitals contributed more than $6.3 billion to the state's economy in 2010. In 2010, the state’s hospitals employed 21,400 healthcare professionals with a total payroll of $1.8 billion. These jobs account for more than 6 percent of the state’s private sector employment and the wages paid to hospital employees make up nearly 11 percent of the state’s private sector payroll. Election Feature Content: No Feature read more -
Omnicare settles federal case for $50M
15 May 2012 | 10:34 amLong-term care pharmacy provider, Omnicare, has reached a settlement with the Justice Department that is the largest controlled substance settlement in history, said the Drug Enforcement Administration. Omnicare will pay a civil penalty of $50 million to settle claims that some of its pharmacies: Election Feature Content: No Feature read more -
Lessons in crisis management: Q&A with Allscripts CEO Glen Tullman
15 May 2012 | 9:50 amIt has been a trying three weeks at EHR powerhouse Allscripts. In conjunction with a disappointing Q1 earnings report the company also reported the ouster of its Board Chairman, the resignation of three other board members, along with the announcement that its CFO would leave the company in mid-May for a job outside the industry. Many in the industry blame difficulties with product integration and managing the merger with Eclypsis for the company’s recent troubles. Election Feature Content: No Feature read more -
Maine company offers innovative wellness program to employees
14 May 2012 | 1:19 pmTwo companies in Maine have recently teamed up to provide an innovative and affordable healthcare plan to employees. The plan not only pays claims but also rewards those in good health with cash incentives. Election Feature Content: No Feature read more -
Healthcare leaders report concerns about overcrowded EDs
14 May 2012 | 12:05 pmAccording to a HealthLeaders Media report released last week, nearly half (46 percent) of healthcare leaders around the country have emergency departments that are overcrowded. Furthermore, 51 percent of those respondents also said that they are very concerned that the overcrowding issue will jeopardize patient safety. Election Feature Content: No Feature read more
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Industry News from healthcarefinancenews.com
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R.I. hospitals contributed $6.3B to state's economy in 2010
15 May 2012 | 1:31 pmAccording to a new report released by the Hospital Association of Rhode Island (HARI), Rhode Island hospitals contributed more than $6.3 billion to the state's economy in 2010. In 2010, the state’s hospitals employed 21,400 healthcare professionals with a total payroll of $1.8 billion. These jobs account for more than 6 percent of the state’s private sector employment and the wages paid to hospital employees make up nearly 11 percent of the state’s private sector payroll. Election Feature Content: No Feature read more -
Omnicare settles federal case for $50M
15 May 2012 | 10:34 amLong-term care pharmacy provider, Omnicare, has reached a settlement with the Justice Department that is the largest controlled substance settlement in history, said the Drug Enforcement Administration. Omnicare will pay a civil penalty of $50 million to settle claims that some of its pharmacies: Election Feature Content: No Feature read more -
Lessons in crisis management: Q&A with Allscripts CEO Glen Tullman
15 May 2012 | 9:50 amIt has been a trying three weeks at EHR powerhouse Allscripts. In conjunction with a disappointing Q1 earnings report the company also reported the ouster of its Board Chairman, the resignation of three other board members, along with the announcement that its CFO would leave the company in mid-May for a job outside the industry. Many in the industry blame difficulties with product integration and managing the merger with Eclypsis for the company’s recent troubles. Election Feature Content: No Feature read more -
Healthcare leaders report concerns about overcrowded EDs
14 May 2012 | 12:05 pmAccording to a HealthLeaders Media report released last week, nearly half (46 percent) of healthcare leaders around the country have emergency departments that are overcrowded. Furthermore, 51 percent of those respondents also said that they are very concerned that the overcrowding issue will jeopardize patient safety. Election Feature Content: No Feature read more -
Compensation incentive programs for healthcare professionals are ineffective
14 May 2012 | 9:02 amAs the healthcare industry continues to move in the direction of using compensation incentives, a new analysis reveals that incentives as currently used are not an effective motivator for healthcare professionals and waste an estimated $20 billion in resources. Election Feature Content: No Feature read more
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MDBR - News
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St Jude introduces EnligHTN renal denervation system in Europe
16 May 2012 | 5:20 amSt Jude Medical has introduced EnligHTN renal denervation system for the treatment of hypertension in Europe. -
BiO2 Medical Angel Catheter wins CE mark
16 May 2012 | 5:10 amBiO2 Medical has obtained CE mark approval for its Angel Catheter, a Nitinol inferior vena cava (IVC) filter, with a prophylactic use indication. -
Molex expands Premo-Flex FFC jumpers line
16 May 2012 | 4:02 amMolex has expanded its Premo-Flex line of flat flex cable (FFC) and etched polyimide jumpers with the addition of two new products. -
Covidien takes over superDimension
16 May 2012 | 3:59 amCovidien has purchased a developer of minimally invasive interventional pulmonology devices, superDimension, for $300m, with future earn out payments possible. -
BGI equips Roche GS FLX+ system
16 May 2012 | 3:55 amBGI has installed GS FLX+ system developed by 454 Life Sciences, a Roche Company, to enhance long read sequencing capabilities for genome and transcriptome research.
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Emergency Medicine Blog
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Legal Definition of a Child in Malaysia and the Definition of Statutory Rape
11 May 2012 | 9:41 amImage downloaded from Microsoft Office website. Available at here. I made a mistake when discussing on the legal definition of a child in Malaysia and the definition of statutory, and so I thought it would be a good idea to revise on this topic. I mistakenly thought that a child in Malaysia is defined as one aged 18 years old and below. I was wrong. According to the Malaysian Child Act -
Advanced ECG by Amal Mattu in Singapore
23 Feb 2012 | 11:22 amAttended the Advanced ECG workshop tomorrow conducted by Prof Amal Mattu in the Society for Emergency Medicine in Singapore 2012 Annual Scientific Conference (SEMS ASC). A number of good streaming video ECG lectures by him in this website. Click here to assess. Some highlights from the class: Sgarbossa's criteria The dictum that "in the presence of LBBB, one cannot diagnose myocardial -
Grey-Turner Sign
19 Feb 2012 | 7:07 pmGrey-Turner’s sign simply refers to the bluish discoloration of the flanks. The interesting thing about this sign is that whenever this sign is found, medical students are alerted to the fact that there is a possible underlying retroperitoneal bleeding going on. Obviously, this sign could also indicate a possible intraperitoneal bleed besides the possibility of retroperitoneal bleed. The -
Elderly Abuse in Malaysia
14 Feb 2012 | 9:56 amThe official visit by the undergraduate students and their lecturers from Tzu Chi University from Taiwan ended a week ago. During that visit, I talked about elderly care and abuse, particularly within the Malaysian context because I feel this is one area which is not very much talked about, not easily detected, and in fact, what we know is probably the tip of the iceberg only. This forum -
Heuristics and Cognitive Biases in Decision Making During Clinical Emergencies
17 Jan 2012 | 10:43 amWhen faced with a potential clinical emergency situation, physicians are often expected to make diagnostic decisions within a limited time frame. A delayed decision, albeit an accurate one, is a futile decision if the patient deteriorates. Therefore, as almost always, such urgent decisions have to be made with some degree of uncertainty. This is especially so in an environment like the emergency
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caring-for-mom-and-dad.info
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Setting boundaries, how do you make them stick?
16 May 2012 | 12:23 amWhy does my mother who lives with me treat my alcoholic brother like a god and me like dirt?Answered 1 min ago by cattails -
What Can Jim Morrison’s Simple Will Teach Us About Estate Planning?
15 May 2012 | 12:17 pmBy Jeffrey A. Bloom It’s a bit of ancient history, but Jim Morrison’s will highlights a misunderstanding in estate planning that is still common today: What happens to the balance of a bequest when the beneficiary dies? The Doors lead singer’s will provided that his entire estate would pass to his girlfriend, Pamela Courson, provided she survived him... [Continue Reading] -
A Trip to the Hospital May Put Assisted Living Residents on Medicaid at Risk of Eviction
15 May 2012 | 12:17 pmAssisted living facility residents covered by Medicaid are at risk of being evicted if they leave the facility, even for a temporary hospitalization, the National Senior Citizen’s Law Center (NSCLC) warns in a recently released White Paper on the problem. Ironically, Medicaid officials in most states have the power to prevent these evictions but in... [Continue Reading] -
How do siblings get help for elderly mother being taken care of by Bipolar Brother?
15 May 2012 | 12:17 pmGrossed Out? Need to Vent? Just caught Mom using my toothbrush to comb her hair!Comment 33 mins ago by cricketinafp Read more from: http://www.agingcare.com/Questions/How-do-siblings-get-help-for-elderly-mother-being-taken-care-of-by-Bipolar-Brother-150888.htm -
What Can Jim Morrisons Simple Will Teach Us About Estate Planning?
15 May 2012 | 12:15 amBy Jeffrey A. Bloom It’s a bit of ancient history, but Jim Morrison’s will highlights a misunderstanding in estate planning that is still common today: What happens to the balance of a bequest when the beneficiary dies? The Doors lead singer’s will provided that his entire estate would pass to his girlfriend, Pamela Courson, provided she survived him... [Continue Reading]
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News from Scott & White Healthcare
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New building coming for Bone and Joint Institute at Scott & White
10 May 2012 | 4:45 pmA new facility to house the Bone and Joint Institute is starting construction on the main campus of Scott & White Healthcare in Temple, Texas. More than just orthopaedics, the new institute building will be a home for an array of associated clinical care and therapies in addition to orthopaedic surgery. Pulling together this large menu of care in one location distinguishes this institute over any other in the state. The facility has been a long-held dream for Dr. Robert Probe, chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Scott & White. A formal groundbreaking ceremony on May… -
Scott & White Memorial Hospital – Temple Heart Transplant Program Earns CMS Recognition
1 May 2012 | 2:11 pmThe heart transplant program at Scott & White Memorial Hospital–Temple reached a major milestone receiving certification from the Center for Medicare Services (CMS). CMS issued the formal certification after conducting an onsite quality review of Scott & White’s program in January, in which procedures, care, standards and outcomes were evaluated. In addition to meeting CMS’s quality standards, the certification allows Scott & White to receive Medicare reimbursement for heart transplants. For more information, see full press release. -
Scott & White to open hospital on Hurd Regional Medical Center Campus in 2014
26 Apr 2012 | 2:39 pmScott & White Healthcare today announced plans to open the hospital bed tower on the Wayne and Eileen Hurd Regional Medical Center Campus by the end of 2014, sooner than recently projected. “We are pleased that we are able to move forward with the first phase of the hospital bed tower ahead of schedule by almost two years,” said Scott & White President and CEO Robert W. Pryor, M.D. “The accelerated timetable reflects progress on construction to date and responsiveness to community demand for our acute care hospital.” The campus is near the intersection of U.S. 281 and Texas… -
Scott & White Memorial Hospital – Temple Named one of the Nation’s 100 Top Hospitals
17 Apr 2012 | 4:18 pmScott & White Memorial Hospital – Temple has been ranked for the eighth time as one of the Top 100 Hospitals by one of the nation’s key health care rating groups with the announcement from Michigan-based Thomson Reuters. Scott & White was one of just three hospitals in the state of Texas to be in the “Major Teaching Hospitals” category of the 2012 Thomson Reuters’ 100 Top Hospitals®. The list has been posted on the Modern Healthcare website www.modernhealthcare.com -
Construction progresses, leadership team finalized at new Scott & White Hospital – College Station
3 Apr 2012 | 10:39 amCOLLEGE STATION, Texas – Scott & White Healthcare continues to prepare for the opening of its new hospital, while looking to its local leadership team to continue a tradition of high quality care and service excellence in the region. The second phase of “mock room” construction for the new Scott & White Hospital – College Station is underway. Staff members are getting a sneak peek at full-size replicas of the intensive care unit (ICU), emergency department and operating rooms. Caregivers who work in these areas, including nurses, physicians, technicians and other…
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THE SECOND CHANCE SHEEPDOG
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Music Monday with Aerosmith
14 May 2012 | 12:30 amToday's Music Monday is one that I postponed last month. My regular readers may remember that on the second Monday in April I shared that I had planned and prepared a "double shot" post for that day and then decided to go in a different direction. Today's Music Monday is that postponed post. Aerosmith is one of the bands that haven't appeared on The Sheepdog's Music Mondays ... until now. The first video for today is of the only number one single of Aerosmith's career - "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." The interesting thing about the song is that it debuted at number one even though it wasn't… -
Thanking the Taxpayers
11 May 2012 | 4:58 pmDear American Taxpayer For only the second time in my adult life, I am not ashamed of my country. I want to thank the hard-working American people for paying $242,000 dollars for my vacation in Spain. My daughter, Sasha, several long-time family friends, my personal staff, and various guests had a wonderful time. Honestly, you just haven't lived until you have stayed in a $2,500 per night private, 3-story villa at a 5-Star luxury hotel. Thank you also for the use of Air Force Two and the 70 Secret Service personnel who tagged along to be sure we were safe and cared for at all times. I… -
Shocking Tax Fraud Exposed
9 May 2012 | 12:44 pmThe following embedded video is a must view for all taxpaying Americans. However, you might want to double-check and make sure you've taken your blood pressure meds for the day before you do, because your blood pressure is likely to rise while watching the video. The video explains a lot in regards to why the U.S. is broke. It can also be viewed by clicking here. Source - wthr.com article titled IRS Tax Loophole -
Remembering A Friend On Music Monday
7 May 2012 | 9:02 amThe Sheepdog's gotta get back on schedule. Week before last, I was late getting the Music Monday post up. Then, last week there was no Music Monday because some things came up that required The Sheepdog take some time off and be away from the computer. So, I apologize to anyone who was disappointed that there was not a Music Monday last week. I'm back on post now and will be getting back to the normal schedule. One of the things that came up last week was the passing of a dear friend named Curtis. He went home to be with the Lord after an off and on battle with cancer over the last twelve… -
Gov. Christie Helps Promote Organ and Tissue Donation
25 Apr 2012 | 6:22 pmGovernor of New Jersey at a town hall in Hillsborough, NJ 3/2/11 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Recently, New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie signed a good piece of legislation into law. It requires the state's Treasury Department to include information about organ and tissue donation in the paychecks of the state's employees during the month of April in observance of Donate Life Month. Since more than 113,000 Americans, including more than 5000 from New Jersey, are currently on the waiting list for life-saving organ transplants, I'd say it was a good move by Governor Christie. On behalf…
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Supporting Safer Healthcare
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Real Men Wear Pink
13 May 2012 | 7:36 amToday is the 20th Komen Race for the Cure in Pittsburgh, and 30,000 people are expected to participate. It’s a day when real men wear pink. -
Considering Joint Commission Hospital Surveyor Focus – 2012
22 Apr 2012 | 7:40 pmIf your hospital is up for Joint Commission survey in the coming months, you will find a recent article by Compass Clinical Consulting, A Snapshot of First Quarter TJC Survey Results, worth reviewing. The first three months of 2012 TJC surveys are complete, and reports to Compass Clinical Consulting from clients and from the field draw a revealing and somewhat concerning picture… READ A Snapshot of First Quarter TJC Survey Results -
The Other Side of the Drape
7 Apr 2012 | 4:06 pmThe Other Side of the Drape is the story of a mother waiting for her young son to come out of surgery. It is also the story of an anesthesiologist waiting on the outside of the OR. …And now came the hardest part: waiting. Waiting sucks. It was six in the morning. Even though all I wanted to do was sleep, I could only doze off for about twenty minutes. I wandered aimlessly through the parents’ lounge. I watched the slice of sky between buildings outside the window change from black to grey to light blue as dawn broke over the city of Boston. Over an hour later the liaison called… -
Happy Doctors Day!
30 Mar 2012 | 8:35 amMarch 30th is Doctors Day in the US. Today is a day to say thank you to those who care for us. Thank you for the effort you expend in our behalf; the long hours, the sleepless nights, the time you spend patiently listening as we haltingly try to explain what has gone awry with our bodies or minds. Thank you for the skills you’ve honed over the years, and for your willingness to continue learning. Thank you for educating and reassuring us when we are confused and frightened. Thank you for teaching the next generation so that your wisdom will benefit our chldren. … -
36th Annual NAMSS Conference – San Francisco
16 Mar 2012 | 5:01 pmThe National Association Medical Staff Services is extending an invitation to anyone working in or around the field of credentialing, privileging or medical staff administrationn to join them in California from September 4–8, 2012. San Francisco is the site for this year’s 36th Annual NAMSS Conference & Exhibition. The conference offers more than 40 sessions tracked by medical environment (Hospital, CVO, or MCO) and level of experience (New to the Field, Newly Certified, and Experienced). Hotel booking is now open. More information
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All Kaiser Health News
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Attention Health Care Shoppers: Colorado's New Price List For Procedures
16 May 2012 | 5:08 am -
Insurers Have $1 Trillion Riding On The Health Law's Future
15 May 2012 | 9:05 am -
Health Programs At Risk In Gathering Budgetary Storm
15 May 2012 | 9:04 am -
State Roundup: Undocumented Immigrant Health Care Showdown In D.C.
15 May 2012 | 8:45 am -
Calif. Gov. Brown's Revised Budget Includes Substantial Medi-Cal Cuts
15 May 2012 | 8:34 am
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Alter Inspire
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Everybody’s Warming to Telemedicine
15 May 2012 | 10:09 amTired of feeling sick but worried about the cost of a doctor’s visit? A rural Minnesota woman recently logged onto an Internet site run by NowClinic Online Care, a subsidiary of health insurer UnitedHealthcare, and “met” with a doctor in Texas. According to Kaiser Health News, after talking with the physician via text message and by telephone, the woman was diagnosed with an upper-respiratory infection and prescribed an antibiotic. .The doctor’s “visit” cost just $45. “I was as suspicious as anyone about getting treated over the computer,”… -
Non-Profit Hospitals Will Take Financial Hit If the Individual Mandate is Struck Down
14 May 2012 | 12:23 pmIf the Supreme Court overturns the individual mandate that requires Americans to buy healthcare insurance that is contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), non-profit hospitals will struggle with higher costs, according to Moody’s Investors Service. The individual mandate has become the focus for legal attacks on the healthcare law. It “would result in a significant reduction in uncompensated care delivered by hospitals” and reduce “utilization of expensive emergency room services,” the rating agency said. “If the Supreme Court… -
Little-Known ACA Proviso Stirs Controversy
9 May 2012 | 12:27 pmThere’s a largely unseen battle raging among consumer advocates, physician groups and some Democrats in Congress over a key benefit in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) — tax credits that will help millions of people purchase insurance. According to Kaiser Health News, “At issue is a section of the law that outlines when low- and moderate-income employees can opt out of their employer’s coverage and instead get federal subsidies to buy insurance through new state-based marketplaces, called exchanges. The debate over who qualifies for subsidies has been… -
49 States Are Acting to Implement the ACA
8 May 2012 | 9:46 amAlthough 26 states oppose sections of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a new report suggests that a majority are taking steps to implement it – no matter what the Supreme Court decides. The Commonwealth Fund study looked at provisions of the law that went into effect in 2010, specifically the so-called “patient’s bill of rights.” The law gave states a choice on those matters — they could regulate insurance companies or opt out and let the federal government step in. According to the report, every state but Arizona has taken some steps to… -
26 Percent of Americans Had No Healthcare Coverage in 2011
7 May 2012 | 11:03 amA Commonwealth Fund survey found that 26 percent of adults surveyed had no health insurance at some point in 2011. The reasons typically were losing a job, changing jobs or becoming ineligible for Medicaid. Fully 69 percent of respondents lacked coverage for one year or longer, while more than 50 percent had no insurance for two years or longer. Low- and moderate-income individuals were most likely to experience a long gap in healthcare coverage. The online survey is based on responses from a random sample of 2,134 adults aged 19 to 64. Among respondents who had a gap in coverage, 41…
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Freelance MD
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Effects Of Changes In The Medicare Physician Fee System
15 May 2012 | 10:00 amGuest post by John Di Saia MD Relatively newly practicing physicians may not know that the Medicare physician payment system changed pretty substantially in the early nineties. This was by design. The perception of those who designed this new system was that certain services were overpaid and others underpaid. It likely had much more to do with ratcheting down the costs of health care. As physician fees constitute only 10-20% of the entire equation, the wisdom of concentrating on physician’s fees to change the system is perhaps questionable. This is what was done nevertheless. A… -
ExpedMed 2012 Brochure Available Now
12 May 2012 | 7:00 pmOur 2012 ExpedMed brochure is now available. If you're interested in learning more about the exciting CME activities offered by ExpedMed in the coming months, clink Here to download a pdf version of the brochure. ExpedMed is a leading Expedition Medicine and Wilderness Medicine CME company. In addition to the annual ExpedMed washington, DC conference, ExpedMed leads CME adventure trips to some of the most unique and remote places on earth. -
Average 2011 Physician Income By Specialty
30 Apr 2012 | 11:15 amAverage physician incomes by specialties for 2011 -
ZDoggMD Les Misérables
26 Apr 2012 | 12:19 pmLovers of medical musicals rejoice! We're finally turning our talents to music outside of rap. Lyrics to The Confrontation: A Les Misérables Parody (Dr. Javert) ZDogg! At last…I paged an hour ago! This alcoholic’s sodium’s much too low… (ZDogg) Before you say another word, Javert, before you dump on me reflexively, Listen to me! This lab you must repeat… (Dr. Javert)This patient’s obviously going nowhere. He’s got no pants and he needs a SNF! Stop blocking me, admission is what he needs… (ZDogg) Just get that lab, I pledge my… -
Private Island CME Adventure with ExpedMed
6 Apr 2012 | 5:10 pmJust wanted to check in with you guys and let you know about a new CME trip we've developed over at ExpedMed for February 28 - March 3, 2013 . The trip is on Little Saint Simons Island, a private island that allows no more than 32 overnight guests, has seven miles of pristine beach, is overrun with birds, gators, dolphins, crabs, fish, deer, and other amazing wildlife, and has won numerous travel awards for its incredible food, history, service, and sustainable eco-friendly policies. Little Saint Simons Island is an incredible place. It's been in private…
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Schwartz PRx
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Healthcare IT Trends to Watch, Week of 5/7 - 5/11
11 May 2012 | 4:52 pmEach day at Schwartz MSL, the Healthcare IT Practice shares news items on the latest industry trends. Following is a round-up of some of the most relevant story highlights from the past week:According to Don Berwick, former CMS administrator, $1 out of every $3 spent on healthcare is wasted. In an article by Frank Vinluan of MedCity News titled, “Don Berwick on healthcare spending: ‘We have to improve our way out of this’,” he cited Toyota as an example of a company that realized performance improvements by changing processes. In Japanese, the word for continuous… -
Healthcare IT Trends to Watch, Week of 4/30 - 5/4, 2012
7 May 2012 | 8:57 amEach day at Schwartz MSL, the Healthcare IT Practice shares news items on not only the latest industry trends, such as population health, ACOs, virtualization and EHRs, but also hard-pressing issues such as the rise in obesity and its impact on healthcare costs, what worries C-level executives, and how to curb wasteful spending in healthcare. Here are highlights from last week's news stories:Sharon Begley at Reuters starts us off with “As American’s Waistline Expands, Costs Soar.” It’s no surprise that the nation's rate of obesity has risen considerable. … -
The Positive Power of Social Media: Facebook Encourages Organ Donation Awareness
2 May 2012 | 5:47 pmThe power of social media has been recognized for quite some time now. And while the positive impact of social media is undeniable, its darker side is often highlighted in media headlines. Cited for encouraging bullying, oversharing personal details and publically humiliating friends, family and even exes—Facebook is often the scapegoat for negative online behavior.But yesterday that changed, at least temporarily. Facebook launched an initiative to harness social media and social pressure for the betterment of society…to save lives. Yesterday, Facebook announced that users can… -
Healthcare IT Trends to Watch, Week of 4/23 - 4/27, 2012
30 Apr 2012 | 1:15 pmEach day at Schwartz MSL, the Healthcare IT Practice shares news items on the latest industry trends, news, insights and events. Here are the recent highlights from the past week:When our nation’s health IT chief Farzad Mostashari speaks, it’s usually a good idea to listen. In this article by Diana Manos of Healthcare IT News titled, “Mostashari: 'Keep our eyes on the prize,” he urged the audience at the National Quality Forum to put the patient at the center of care delivery. He emphasized that quality is the cornerstone of what needs to be done. Other issues included… -
Differentiate Your HIMSS13 Speaking Proposal
26 Apr 2012 | 12:06 pmLast month, Schwartz MSL spoke with David Collins, MHA, CPHQ, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, senior director of professional development at HIMSS, to reflect on this year’s event and get a sense for what we might expect next year at “HIMSS Changes Healthcare and the Big Easy” in New Orleans. Since then, HIMSS has opened the call for speaker proposals, which will be available until May 30.HIMSS’s Annual Conference offers more than 240 general education sessions that are selected from a peer-reviewed process. Last year, HIMSS received 775 speaking proposals, and David…
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About.com Assisted Living
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How About We Let This Speak For Itself?
15 May 2012 | 4:00 amIt's pretty ironic that one of our articles this month is about music --- for the dying. Well Matilda is a long-way off from that!...Read Full Post -
NJ Assisted Living Partnership Ups Quality Focus
14 May 2012 | 4:00 amThe NJ Department of Health and Senior Services has joined with the Health Care Association of New Jersey (HCANJ) to enhance quality and consumer information about assisted living residences in New Jersey. This four-year pilot program, entitled Advanced Standing, will offer a designation by the Health Care Association of New Jersey Foundation, which verifies that an assisted living facility has satisfied all state licensing regulations and also meets quality benchmarks....Read Full Post -
NQF Endorses Palliative Care Measures
11 May 2012 | 4:00 amThe National Quality Forum (NQF) Board of Directors has approved for endorsement 14 quality measures on palliative and end-of-life care. The measures address a wide range of care concerns, including pain management, psychosocial needs, care transitions, and experiences of care....Read Full Post -
Medicare Overpayments - 60 Days and 10 Years Ago
9 May 2012 | 4:00 amTime is expiring! According to a new proposed regulation, healthcare providers must report self-identified Medicare over-payments within 60 days of noticing the incorrect payment or face monetary penalties. The deadline was instituted by the Affordable Care Act policies aimed at reducing Medicare fraud....Read Full Post -
Companionship Exemption - For and Against
7 May 2012 | 4:00 amPHI, the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, has issued three new publications to dispute claims that the Department of Labor's proposal to narrow the companionship exemption--and require time and a half for overtime hours--is unaffordable....Read Full Post
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Healthcare Data Analytics Company
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June 30 is the Deadline for Avoiding 2013 ePrescribing Penalty.
15 May 2012 | 3:33 pmIf you are a Medicare provider, you may soon be facing eRx penalties if you don’t take action. CMS mandates that you send and report 10 G-codes by June 30th in order to avoid a 1.5% Medicare deduction in 2013. Make sure you are eprescribing regularly and reporting the correct G-codes—or check to see if [...] -
WellPoint’s New Hire…Watson. What is it?
8 May 2012 | 4:29 pmWatson consists of 90 IBM Power 750 Express servers powered by 8-core processors — four in each machine — for a total of 32 processors per machine. The servers are virtualized with a kernel-based virtual machine scheme, resulting in a server cluster with a total processing capacity of 80 teraflops. (A teraflop is one trillion [...] -
What is the average percentage of leakage in hospital setting?
7 May 2012 | 8:44 pmThere’s a pervasive myth in the world of healthcare revenue assurance that a standard benchmark exists for revenue leakage. In fact, the question asked most often at conferences and meetings is, “What is the average percentage of leakage in hospital setting?” The people asking that question are generally interested in determining a benchmark against which [...] -
100 charged in health care fraud bust By Terry Frieden, CNN
2 May 2012 | 3:15 pmupdated 3:48 PM EDT, Wed May 2, 2012 Washington (CNN) — More than 100 people have been charged and an estimated $450 million in false billings uncovered by federal agents in a nationwide operation that authorities say is the largest bust in recent history. Law enforcement sources say the charges were lodged in seven metropolitan [...] -
3M Health acquired veteran coding firm CodeRyte
25 Apr 2012 | 8:15 pmBethesda, Md.-based CodeRyte sells Computer Assisted Coding (CAC) software and natural language processing (NLP) software that reads physician documentation and assigns appropriate codes for review by a coder. The company, with about 250 clients, also offers outsourced coding services. Computer-assisted coding (CAC) automatically generates medical codes directly from clinical documentation. With CAC technology, healthcare organizations [...]
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World of DTC Marketing.com
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The sad state of pharma DTC marketing
15 May 2012 | 7:48 amFirst let me say my fair balance: I am on the editorial advisory board for PM 360 magazine and write monthly articles on DTC marketing for them. Now that I got that out of the way I recently had a... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
Are mobile health apps the future of medicine ?
14 May 2012 | 7:17 amHere we go again. Just when I thought everyone had a great handle on mobile health apps more propaganda and non-truths abound all around the Internet saying that mobile health apps are everything... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
Another week..another fine & other healthcare news
11 May 2012 | 8:25 amWith Abbott’s $1.5 billion settlement of a whistleblower-initiated case this week, Abbott joins an infamous list of pharma companies that have paid more than one billion dollars to the federal... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
The Pharma Corporation The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power
10 May 2012 | 9:03 amThe steady drumbeat of corporate scandals and big fines for pharma in recent years has made many observers wonder what happened to corporate responsibility. Law professor Joel Bakan has a contrarian... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
Dear pharma: I’m sorry but I don’t trust you anymore
9 May 2012 | 1:23 amAbbott Laboratories has pleaded guilty and agreed to pay $1.6 billion to resolve its criminal and civil liability arising from the company’s unlawful promotion of the prescription drug... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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redbirdonline.com
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Demonstrating the ROI of your non-profit program to donors
7 May 2012 | 3:59 pmThis is a sample of Redbird's new free report 10 Powerful Strategies to Help Non-Profits Demonstrate the ROI of Their Programs. You can download the free report here. -
Job Posting: Client Services
1 May 2012 | 2:47 pmClient Services -- We're currently looking for a strategic thinker who can give sound direction to clients and get multiple stakeholders engaged in a common cause; an entrepreneurial mover and shaker with excellent project management skills; a focussed user of social media. -
Redbird releases a free report to help non-profits better demonstrate the ROI of their programs to donors
30 Apr 2012 | 12:50 pmRedbird Communications has released a new report filled with practical strategies to help non-profits demonstrate the ROI of their program to corporate donors. You can download the free report here. Or read about the contents below. -
Four of our most popular health promotion posts
7 Mar 2012 | 2:33 pmRedbird has had a blog for four years now. But last year, we decided to try to post at least a few articles per month on health promotion. Our goal was to write detailed posts that would offer strategic advice, new tools, research, and best practices for health promotion campaigns. -
Never make this fundraising mistake
29 Feb 2012 | 12:25 pmBy James Mulvey Last month, we wrote about a very compelling fundraising tactic. The letter asks for a donation to help children with cleft lips and palates.
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American Medical News
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Omega-3 intake linked to lower levels of protein associated with Alzheimer’s
15 May 2012 | 8:06 amAn estimated 5.4 million Americans, including 200,000 younger than 65, have the neurologic condition. -
Health plans providing detailed cost estimates of doctor visits
15 May 2012 | 8:06 amPatients could come to a physician’s office with down-to-the-penny prices and compare negotiated rates for multiple physicians and hospitals. -
FDA weighs prescriptions without medical visits
14 May 2012 | 7:00 amPhysician organizations cite safety concerns in opposing technology that lets patients self-diagnose and assess their medication needs. -
Physicians will lead ACOs forward
14 May 2012 | 7:00 amGiving doctors more opportunities to participate in programs targeting costs and quality allows them to demonstrate that innovation can flow from practices of all sizes. -
Stage 2 meaningful use rules sharply criticized by physicians
14 May 2012 | 7:00 amThe American Medical Association and state and specialty societies call for less aggressive criteria in the Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record incentive program.
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Medical Fusion Conference
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Networking 101
21 Apr 2012 | 9:51 amI wanted to write just a quick blurb about networking. It's often discussed in business circles, but seems so crass. Personally, I hate the term, but it does help if you understand how to build your group of business associates. For what it's worth, here is a short list of things that I've seen help individuals build their business contacts over time. 1. Provide Value The number one way you can begin building your connections with others is to figure out how to provide them value. Here's the honest truth: Our most precious commodity is time, and no one feels like they have enough. -
The Top 10 Reasons You Should Go To Medical School... And The Single Best Reason Not To
16 Feb 2012 | 10:01 amJeremy Weaver is a medical school student and one of the editors over at Uncommon Student MD where he's written a really good post on The Top 10 Reasons You Should Go To Medical School, And The Single Reason Not To. Whether you're a first year medical student or a practicing physican, there's a good chance you've asked yourself the quesion, "WHY the @#$% DID I GO TO MEDICAL SCHOOL?" Here are a few EXCELLENT reasons... and one bad one. Just as the blisses of Christmas break was ending for most of us tortured souls who fly the banner of "medical student," and sail these uncertain scholarly… -
A Non-Clinical Physician Conference?
2 Oct 2011 | 8:29 pmWho is the Medical Fusion Conference for? Any physician who wants more control of their income, career, and lifestyle. A plastic surgeon who want's to learn how to invest in real estate. An internal medicine doc who want's to retire and write a book. A dermatologist who want's to leave clinical practice and consult to big pharma. A family practitioner who want's to leave Medicare and Medicate and start a concierge practice. A surgeon who want's to make sure his retirement is secure. An ER doc who want's to travel and work internationally. A Pediatrician who want's to publish a children's… -
Pro Golfer Zach Johnson Mentions Medical Fusion
28 Sep 2011 | 9:30 pmIt's not every day that a Masters Champion mentions your medical conference. On September 27th, PGA golfer and 2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson tweeted the following to his 55,000 Twitter followers: All you physicians, docs, and health experts, check out this website! www.MedFusionConf.org great info, good people, and lots of big words! All of us with the Medical Fusion Conference appreciate Zach's kind words and the plug for our event. Momentum for the conference is building so if you haven't already registered, be sure to get your name in for this life-changing event. -
Online Marketing for Physicians
21 Sep 2011 | 3:56 pmMr. Tannus Quatre of Vantage Clinical Solutions will be giving a talk at our Medical Fusion Conference entitled, "Online Marketing for Physicians." Mr. Quatre is a Physical Therapist and one of the founders of Vantage. According to Mr. Quatre, after hearing his talk on online marketing, participants in our Medical Fusion Conference will be able to do the following: Understand how online marketing is being used by healthcare professionals to reach new audiences and retain current clientele. Be familiar with specific tools and online resources used to develop an effective online presence…
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fiercehealthpayer.com
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Coventry violates state contract by not covering drug
11 May 2012 | 1:33 pmCoventry Care, a Medicaid managed care insurer in Kentucky, said it will stop covering an expensive medication that helps treat drug addictions. The state, however, condemned the decision as a contract violation. Coventry will begin denying coverage for the narcotic drug buprenorphine, which eases patients' addictions to common painkillers, for patients being treated in a network of addiction clinics called SelfRind. The Medicaid insurer said it will continue covering the drug for existing patients and will allow 15-day extensions for patients with authorizations expiring in the next… -
Insurers shift marketing budgets toward individual consumers
11 May 2012 | 12:37 pmWith an eye toward the burgeoning individual market, payers have been expanding their advertising budgets and shifting their messages. Five of the nation's largest health insurers spent a combined $366.8 million on advertising in 2011, an almost 52 percent increase from the year before, according to marketing firm Kantar Media. The analysis on AIS Health showed that payers have begun shifting their spending on online and television ads instead of the traditional outdoor and radio ads. Except for WellPoint, the five big insurers boosted their Internet advertising budgets, with Cigna's… -
BCBSNC teams with SAS to create personalized plans
11 May 2012 | 12:36 pmBlue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) has partnered with software company SAS to develop more personalized and better targeted health plans for members. The partnership, which the companies announced Thursday, aims to use SAS analytics to identify customers who could most benefit from improving their health, determine how best to engage those customers and then develop new products, services and programs accordingly, reported Insurance & Technology. "Our work with SAS addresses an issue that's at the crux of the healthcare challenges we face today: improving… -
UnitedHealth pursues low-cost products, CEO says
10 May 2012 | 10:02 pmUnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley said the insurer will continue to pursue and offer new, less expensive products marketed toward cost-conscious consumers like the line of low-cost hearing aids it introduced in October, reported the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. "We'll very much be educating consumers about what products services work, why they work, and what they should be paying for them, and what they can expect about buying goods and services," Hemsley said Wednesday at the MedTech Investing conference in Minneapolis. The CEO hinted at more offerings down the road. -
Aetna reimburses transgender member for mammogram
10 May 2012 | 10:01 pmAetna has reimbursed a transgender female for a doctor-recommended mammogram she underwent two years ago, reversing a previous decision to deny coverage. Beth Scott had a mammogram in 2010, and aetna refused to pay for the service, claiming that the mammogram fell under an exclusion treatment policy "related to changing sex," reported ABC News. Such exclusionary clauses are common among insurers and often are used to deny people coverage for medical procedures needed to change genders, as well as ordinary care, such as gynecological visits and medically necessary surgeries, if they…
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Health Insurance in Texas - Guide by Custom Health Plans
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Protect Your Paycheck with Disability Income Insurance
2 May 2012 | 3:34 amHere’s a scary stat: the Social Security Administration reports that “a 20-year-old worker has about a three in 10 chance of suffering a disability before reaching retirement age.” And as you get older, those chances increase. Injuries can force workers into early retirement, whether or not they’ve got the savings to make it work. To protect yourself should the worst occur, workers should consider obtaining disability income insurance. Disability income insurance provides income for workers who’ve suffered accident and illness related disabilities. Preparing to have a paycheck in… -
A Closer Look at Texas Health Savings Accounts
25 Apr 2012 | 3:35 pmAs we move toward the November elections, the Texas health insurance landscape is more confusing than ever. The Affordable Care Act is still under Constitutional scrutiny, with Republican candidates promising to overturn it, and while some mandates have already been implemented, it’s uncertain if the law will remain intact. This means that many of the changes scheduled to go into effect in 2014 may never come to fruition. What does this mean for the average health care consumer? For starters, it may be time to revisit Texas health savings accounts. Taking action and obtaining an HSA is a… -
Are You Paying too Much for Health Insurance?
8 Mar 2012 | 2:09 amThis week, there have been a couple interesting news items discussing why people buy insurance for relatively low cost, predictable health expenditures. Examples of such expenditures include routine prescription drugs, regular physician visits and contraceptives. Comprehensive – and usually expensive – health plans may cover these costs, but at what cost to you? Friend of the program, John Goodman, believes that buying insurance for items you could easily afford to pay out of pocket is, simply put, throwing money away. There are a variety of options for minimizing your health insurance… -
ObamaCare Tramples on Religious Rights
10 Feb 2012 | 4:20 pmIf you’ve been watching the news lately, you’ve probably heard that the Health and Human Services Department enacted a measure requiring nearly all insurance plans to cover contraceptive and sterilization methods, including the morning-after pill. There are certain exceptions for religious groups, but in this case, the government outlined what constitutes a religious group. According to The Wall Street Journal, “the HHS chose to draw the rule’s conscience exceptions for ‘religious employers’ so narrowly that they will not be extended to religious charities, universities,… -
Federal Government Denies Texas Health Insurance Waiver
1 Feb 2012 | 2:32 pmHere’s some news on the Texas health insurance front. Texas had applied for a waiver that would exclude it from the federal government’s law that imposes limits on overhead spending by health insurers. The law in question applies to the Medical Loss Ratio and was instated as part of ObamaCare. Basically, the federal law mandates that health insurance companies “must spend a minimum of 80 percent of their revenue on payments for policyholders’ health care or improvement to their health coverage plans.” This might sound okay on the surface – more money going toward individual’s…
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Next Level - Ideas and Inspiration Around Key Healthcare Challenges
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While we await the decision: the Supreme Court and healthcare reform
10 May 2012 | 2:33 pmAs many are aware, over three historic days late in March the U.S. Supreme Court heard challenges to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as healthcare reform. While many are actively awaiting the outcome of the Court's decision in late June, it appears to me that certain changes to healthcare delivery will occur regardless of how the Court rules and providers would be right to prepare for them now if they haven't already begun to do so. Perhaps most evident is the focus on coordinated care, from office visit to acute-care admission right through transition to outpatient… -
To centralize or decentralize?
26 Mar 2012 | 10:30 amThe question has been asked many times over the years at hospitals large and small. "How shall we organize our ancillary work?" There are pros and cons? Should we keep it close to the action (i.e.; the patients on the floor) or do we manage a function out of one central department? Unfortunately there are no simple answers, which is why I have found that hospitals typically go back and forth on decentralization and centralization. The answer is? "It depends." Health care organizations are complex, and before any decisions are made to completely centralize or decentralize a function it… -
Years of Baggage or Moneyball Innovation?
21 Mar 2012 | 11:00 amBrad Pitt looked good in "Moneyball" as the GM (Billy Beane) of the Oakland A's, a small market, low-budget team, but there was much more to the movie than good looks and baseball. Oakland's best players were being lured away by big money offers and the A's didn't have the money to pay the same rates. Without a competitive salary budget, the GM knew he needed to change old, tried and true scouting methodologies, which included intuition, batting average, anecdotal stories, reputation and so on, but his management team wasn't having any part of that (sound familiar?). Buying the best players… -
Asset Management Operating Model: A Strategic Approach
15 Mar 2012 | 7:00 amOver the past few months I have been in a number of meetings with health systems discussing how to manage their mobile clinical assets. Interestingly, after asking certain pertinent questions, the conversations quickly changed into a discussion about the operating strategy of their asset management or supply chain organization. When we think about asset management, it's not only about the transactional movement of mobile medical assets but also about how they are managed across their lifecycle and the various business functions that are involved. Asset management includes: procurement… -
Why 8 out of 10 Events go Undetected?
5 Mar 2012 | 6:00 amThe theme for this year's Patient Safety Awareness Week is "Be Aware for Safe Care." It's a poignantly simple theme that takes us back to basics. We've invested millions, billions in education, methods, systems, research... and this week's theme asks us to boil that down and look at an essential building block- awareness. I'd like to invite you to explore the notion of "being aware" and participate in our Patient Safety Awareness Week Webinar, "Why 8 out of 10 Safety Events Go Undetected - and What You Can Do." It's a conversation with Hal Kaplan, professor at Mount Sinai…
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Practice Manager Solutions
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Announcing our FREE Webinar to Answer Your Meaningful Use Measure 15 Questions
10 May 2012 | 2:14 pmWe’ve been getting a lot of questions about the Security Risk Assessment requirement of Meaningful Use Measure 15 – particularly why a practice would need one. So we’ve created a complimentary one hour webinar to give you the inside scoop on what you need to know before you attest to meaningful use. And, even if you’ve already attested, there are certain things you should have in place in case you are ever audited. The webinar is scheduled for Friday, May 18th at 12:00 noon EST. -
Who’s In Control – You or Your Technology?
2 May 2012 | 4:58 pmIn this electronic age, has the convenience of being able to have greater access to information actually made your life more complicated? Do you find yourself working 24/7 as you answer emails on your Smartphone, iPad or home computer, catch up on industry journals, or watch a webinar or two during the evenings and on weekends, instead of giving yourself much needed down time? Are you scheduling date night with your significant other, meditation time for yourself, workout classes, dates with friends, even time for reading a book? Do you DVR or TiVO your favorite TV program, listen to a book… -
Don’t Take Any Risks with Meaningful Use Attestation – Violations Can Lead to Big Fines
26 Apr 2012 | 9:56 amMany of my Meaningful Use tips this year have concerned the importance of the Security Risk Assessment component of Meaningful Use Measure #15. There’s a good reason why I have focused so heavily on that topic. The results of a three-year investigation into HIPAA violations of an Arizona provider were published this month. The provider was found in violation and received a $100,000 fine and a requirement to perform a security risk assessment including implementation of the policies and procedures that address those risks. For more information on this provider and the investigation, read… -
Could EMR Scribes Make Doctors More Effective in the Exam Room?
19 Apr 2012 | 5:15 amThere’s a new profession growing out of the transition to electronic medical records (EMR) – the EMR scribe. An EMR scribe is a person who accompanies the doctor on his/her examinations for the sole purpose of handling the electronic medical record documentation. There’s even some talk of virtual scribes who don’t physically accompany the doctor, but can document the EMR through the use of high powered cameras and microphones. It isn’t surprising that doctors are looking for better ways to preserve patient interaction, their own productivity and practice revenue. After all, using an… -
Using LinkedIn to Get Great Information on Meaningful Use
12 Apr 2012 | 8:48 amDid you know that there are many places to get information about Meaningful Use on LinkedIn? If you’re a LinkedIn member then you’ve probably heard about one of the features called ‘groups’. LinkedIn groups bring together professionals who share common interests on a particular topic. As a member of a group, you can learn more about the topic, share information and participate in discussions. There are hundreds of groups dedicated to the medical profession. Some of my favorite groups are organized around Meaningful Use, 5010 and ICD10. Here’s a list of some of the most active groups…
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Beckers ASC Review
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20 Findings on Physician Engagement
15 May 2012 | 4:16 pmAlthough overall physician engagement took a slight hit last year, more physicians in 2011 believed their organizations would be successful in the coming years compared with 2010, according to results from "The State of Staff Physician Engagement: 2011 in Review." -
Single-Payor Healthcare: An Analysis of Potential Benefits and Challenges
15 May 2012 | 4:12 pmOne of the biggest buzz words in healthcare today is "reform" — and to quote REO Speedwagon, "It's everywhere." Perhaps the biggest poster child of the term "reform" is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that President Barack Obama signed into law in March 2010. -
Foundation Healthcare to Combine With Sleep Management Solutions Provider Graymark Healthcare
15 May 2012 | 4:08 pmFoundation Surgery Affiliates and Foundation Surgical Hospital Affiliates, together known as Foundation Healthcare, will combine with Graymark Healthcare, a provider of sleep management solutions, according to a news release. -
4 Benchmarks That ASC Leaders Commonly Overlook
15 May 2012 | 2:48 pmChance Sherer, manager with VMG Health, discusses several benchmarks that ASC administrators often forget to include in their data collection efforts. -
90% of Surgery Centers Experiencing Drug Shortage At Least Weekly
15 May 2012 | 11:16 amAlmost 90 percent of surgery center respondents are experiencing a drug shortage at least weekly, according to an ASC Association drug shortage survey.
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Georgia Health News
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Underage drinking — the parental factor
14 May 2012 | 5:17 pmBoredom and hormones are a dangerous mix in teenagers, who are all too likely to experiment with alcohol, drugs and sex. It’s a problem everywhere, including Georgia. Even in rural areas, such problems can often be acute. Take thinly populated Madison County, in northeast Georgia. “We have a lot of kids who go to parties and drink excessively and then they make wrong choices. A lot of times they’ll get drunk and have sex and not even remember it,” said Wanda Strickland, a nurse practitioner at the Teen Matters clinic and the Madison County Health Department. Some are exposed to… -
Going gluten-free a big change
14 May 2012 | 8:26 amSwitching to a gluten-free diet is crucial to some people’s health. By Marietta Daily Journal for Georgia Health News, 2012. | Permalink | Comment | -
The burden of obesity: Film lays it on the line
11 May 2012 | 11:17 am“The Weight of The Nation," an HBO documentary series, takes a hard look at the obesity epidemic in the U.S. Vivia Armstrong responded to an ad about obesity a couple of years ago. At the time, Armstrong, living in southwest Atlanta, knew all about weight problems. Being heavy is the only kind of life she has ever known. She described her struggle to GHN in an interview before the Atlanta premiere of “The Weight of the Nation,’’ an HBO documentary about obesity in which she appears. “I’ve never been thin,’’ Armstrong said. “I take out a lot of my stress through… -
Dealing with insect bites, rashes
11 May 2012 | 9:18 amConsumer Reports: Protecting yourself from bug bites, poison ivy rashes, fungal infections. By Consumer Reports for Georgia Health News, 2012. | Permalink | Comment | -
Southern Regional, Emory aim for alliance
10 May 2012 | 8:22 pmSouthern Regional Health System and Emory Healthcare announced Thursday that they will enter talks on a possible affiliation. Emory would manage Southern Regional, a Riverdale hospital system, under the proposal. The announcement of a letter of intent follows initial talks between the two nonprofit organizations reported in March. And it continues the drive for consolidation among hospitals across the state, and especially in the metro Atlanta area. Earlier this year, Emory completed a partnership with Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta to form a joint operating company. Elsewhere in the…
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Medical Billing Company | Capture Billing
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Choose Your EHR Wisely: 5 Non-Technical Questions to Ask Your Vendor Now
10 May 2012 | 9:49 amAsking the Right Questions Make a Big Difference in Selecting an EHR When choosing an Electronic Health Record (EHR), my client practices often come to me asking what they should take into consideration . Of course you should pay attention to whether the system has features to support your specialty (or has the flexibility to let you custom-add those features yourself). And of course you should ask whether the product would put you in position to qualify for Meaningful Use. But that’s not the whole picture. Considering the amount of money you’ll be spending on your system (thankfully,… -
Why Do Doctor Bills Vary Widely?
25 Apr 2012 | 5:03 pmThe Primary Goal of Healthcare Reform is Cost ContainmentGuest Post by Holly DeMuro, CPC Healthcare costs in the United States have skyrocketed in recent decades. Recently, the Huffington Post ran an article discussing major disparities in the cost of simple procedures like an appendectomy. These dramatic differences in costs have many people scratching their heads asking how it is possible that fees can vary so dramatically for the same procedure. While the Huffington Post article was referring to hospital charges, the same question applies to doctor bills, or physician fees as well. … -
Why Should Doctors Use Google+ for Online Marketing?
29 Mar 2012 | 6:09 amGoogle+ for Doctors: Make Big Online Marketing Gains for Your Medical Practice This is another guest post by Katie Matlack from Software Advice. In her post Katie writes about why doctors should use Google+ to market their medical practice online. For doctors trying to reach their patients online, using Google+ can provide surprising marketing benefits that help them be more “findable” on the web. Consider that 44 percent of all Internet users search online to find information about health professionals, and suddenly the importance for physicians of having a good online presence should be… -
Should Medical Billing Companies be Afraid of EHRs?
22 Mar 2012 | 11:55 am5 Steps to New Opportunities for Medical Billing Companies This is a guest post by my colleague Katie Matlack from Software Advice. In her post Katie writes about how medical billing companies are needed and best suited to help physicians with their Electronic Medical Records. With the mainstreaming of electronic health records (EHRs), some medical billing service company professionals may be concerned that doctors perceive that an EHR could replace them. Given the automatic coding and error-checking features of an EHR, this fear is not without some foundation in truth. But as more and… -
Meaningful Use Stage 2 Proposed Rule
16 Mar 2012 | 2:57 pmIt’s Here! Meaningful Use Stage 2 Proposed Rule Electronic Health Records and Meaningful Use are on the minds of physicians and administrators all around the country. David Lee from eRECORDS.com wrote a post about the Meaningful Use Stage 2 Proposed Rule that was just announced. He writes a nice summary on the main points of the rule. I have included his post so you can take a quick read of this new information. What else could we talk about as our perspective? Of course, Meaningful Use Stage 2 Proposed Rule… It’s finally here. The long awaited and much anticipated proposed…
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John Goodman's Health Policy Blog
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FDR Lesson for Obama
15 May 2012 | 2:30 pmThis proposal was in effect Roosevelt’s first introduction to supply-side economics. To arm the nation for war, Roosevelt not only had to agree to set aside his own ideological misgivings but almost a decade of his own failed economic policies…The results…were staggering. Barely a year later—by the time Japanese bombs fell on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941—the scale of American war production was fast approaching that of Nazi Germany. America truly became the “arsenal of democracy” (the phrase Knudsen invented). By the end of 1942 we were producing more tanks,… -
Insurance Matters: Children
15 May 2012 | 12:30 pmChildren with public insurance (Medicaid or CHIP) or who had no coverage are at least 22 percent less likely than those with private insurance to receive testing or to undergo procedures when they visit the hospital emergency departments, researchers from Children’s Hospital Boston found. In addition, children with no insurance are less likely to receive any medication than children with public or private insurance. That disparity did not hold true for kids diagnosed with a significant illness, who had the same odds of being admitted to the hospital regardless of insurance status. Full… -
Headlines I Wish I Hadn’t Seen
15 May 2012 | 10:30 amEduardo Saverin, the billionaire co-founder of Facebook, renounced his U.S. citizenship before an initial public offering that values the social network at as much as $96 billion. List of others who have chosen to expatriate. While only one in 20 workers in the 1950s required licensing, that figure has since risen to one in three. Health-insurance companies must tell customers who get a premium rebate this summer that the check is the result of the Obama administration’s health-care law. Is the administration lobbying the Supreme Court? Patients that are discharged during the busiest… -
HSAs Under Attack
15 May 2012 | 8:34 amThree separate provisions in the statute, and regulations implementing the law, will reduce access to HSA plans: ObamaCare’s essential health benefits package contains new restrictions on deductibles and cost-sharing, which will prevent at least some current HSA plans from being offered. ObamaCare’s medical loss ratio regulations also impose new restrictions that studies show will hit HSA plans particularly hard, and could force individuals to change their current form of coverage. The ObamaCare statute does not specify that cash contributions made to an HSA will be counted… -
Insurance Companies: Without a Mandate We Are Going to Get Creamed
14 May 2012 | 2:30 pmAHIP today released the first in a series of four state case studies examining states’ experiences with implementing market reforms without getting everyone covered. The first case study examines Washington State’s experience and shows that consumers experienced higher premiums and loss of choice following the enactment of guarantee issue without an individual mandate in the 1990′s. The full study can be viewed here and an accompanying press release can be found here. We will be releasing the next three state case studies over the course of the next several weeks. This is…
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HEALTHeCAREERS Blog
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Have You Found Your Match?
14 May 2012 | 7:00 amAll of us have gone on a romantic date at one point in our lives. Dates can be fun, exhilarating or maybe even frightening. Questions that might come up in your mind are: Is he or she going to like me? What if I make a terrible mistake and say something wrong? If you are a jobseeker, you may have these same feelings of anticipation. Going to a job interview is like dating in many ways. You are searching for that one healthcare job that will be a good match for you. Before you can find more about your match, you will have to go on a job interview to learn more. Here are 4 tips worth… -
Healthcare News Roundup -- Nurses Week, Innovation and Med School on the Fast Track
11 May 2012 | 6:03 amHCA Today: "Happy Nurses Week, Y’all" – Music Video Happy National Nurses Week! As you know this week celebrates our American heroes – the millions of nurses who work to save lives and improve patient care every day. Check out this creative video from HCA that celebrates nurses. Talent Management: “Find the Right People to Boost Innovation” Have you considered recruiting “intrapreneurs” for your organization? If not, you might want to. By bringing in these entrepreneurs, you’ll effectively help to bolster… -
Working Moms, You Can't Have it All
9 May 2012 | 7:41 amRecently, I found a term paper I wrote as a college senior titled, "Child Care Crisis in America." It's interesting to me now that as an ambitious business school student back then, I was already questioning the notion that working women could have it all, including a rewarding career, a good marriage, perfect kids and excellent affordable child care. My professors (mostly middle aged men, now that I think about it) never doubted that my female classmates and I would be successful. They just didn't tell us that once we had children, it would be difficult to manage it all… -
The Boom of Urgent Care Centers
7 May 2012 | 8:06 amA growing trend in healthcare has successfully carved out its niche across America. Recently, more and more consumers have been gravitating toward urgent care centers and walk-in clinics for medical treatment. Urgent Care Centers (UCCs), also known as immediate or convenient-care centers, are walk-in medical clinics that are designed to treat minor illnesses and injuries that are not serious emergencies, but do require medical care. Sore throats, ear infections, eye injuries, cuts, and abdominal pain are just a few of the most common reasons why Americans seek out urgent care. Although the… -
Healthcare News Roundup -- Healthcare Jobs, Aspiring Doctors and Social Media for Healthcare
4 May 2012 | 6:30 amToo busy to catch up on the latest trends and news for the healthcare industry? Here's what's happening in healthcare this week: What you need to know about health care jobs in the U.S. Do you really know how the healthcare job market is faring? Check out Ragan's Health Care Communication News latest projections. Read as HEALTHeCAREERS' CEO Mike Tansey shares his insight into today’s job market and what the future may hold for physician and nursing careers. So It Turns Out that Lots and Lots of People Still Want to Be Doctors If you’re considering whether or…
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International Man of Mystery's blog
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Sun, Sea and Savings!
16 May 2012 | 5:22 amHolidays can be a stressful as well as a relaxing time for a family. Whether it is a nice romantic break or having the kids tag along, getting all your things together, making sure all the correct documentation is organised and having sorted out the appropriate cover for holiday insurance then it’s for the off! Insurance can be a very useful tool on your holidays; god knows how much I have managed to claim back from misplaced or damaged cameras or phones. It was great having the peace of mind against any accidental damage or loss of money whilst you are on… -
Destination Budapest
15 May 2012 | 3:07 pmWe'll be doing a posts on Eastern European healthcare including Hungary in the near future. In the meantine, here's a pretty cool video of Budapest. -
Expatriates, tax and migration: France and the UK
14 May 2012 | 6:17 amSo, after a hard-fought battle for power over the channel, la République française now has a new socialist president. Will Hollande for France be a winning era in the Republic? Only time will tell, but already there are signs that his presidency (and tax policies) may not be to the preference of some - with the news that mass UK emigration and an attendant rise in London property prices may ensue. All of which could lead to an interesting situation. Of course, what with the UK capital's relative proximity to France, the city is already home to a good number of French people… -
Megatrends in global healthcare: where we're all headed
4 May 2012 | 9:50 amThere's a very interesting presentation by Harvard Business Review editors Karen Dillon and Steve Prokesch, entitled "Megatrends in Global Healthcare" on the HBR's website right now. Essentially it's the 12 biggest things going on in the world's healthcare systems right now - and about their potential effect on the decades ahead. From emerging markets such as that of India to the threat of global pandemics, this is fascinating stuff, so here are some of the topics they cover in the presentation. If you find any of them interesting and want to read more, then… -
NHS prone to abuse from healthcare tourists campaigners have warned
1 May 2012 | 9:42 amCampaigners are arguing that the NHS is being too lenient with its services for foreigners, dubbing it the ‘world health service’ after it was discovered the Government has paid out £35 million worth of free treatment for health tourists in the last 8 years. It was argued that GPs are offering expensive treatments for healthcare in Britain and have too much freedom to register foreign individuals for surgeries. Migration Watch UK stated that doctors could be deciding to see people without identity documents and offer them treatment that shouldn’t be available to…
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Optometry CEO
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Advantages of Optometry Solo Practice
9 May 2012 | 1:54 pmThe following post is from a fellow optometrist, co-lecturer, and good friend. Ryan Parker, O.D. is in private optometry practice in Ardmore, OK. He is a 2004 graduate of the Oklahoma College of Optometry and currently lectures throughout the country on his experiences and successes in private optometry practice. Q. What are the advantages of being in a solo optometry practice? When I lecture to optometry students this is one of the most common questions I get asked. I have been involved in two partnerships and currently run a solo practice. Even though I am in a solo practice… -
Advantages of Optometry Partnerships
4 May 2012 | 10:29 pmQ: What are the advantages of being in partnership with one or more optometrists? Shared responsibilities – There are numerous responsibilities of running a small optometry business, from accounting, to staff management, to implementing meaningful use. When you have a partner you can share the workload and thrive in your areas of strength. In contrast, a solo practitioner must be a “jack of all trades” or at least have some minimal understanding of the responsibility in question to properly delegate it and monitor the delegation. Staff management can also benefit… -
Investing in Futures
26 Apr 2012 | 11:02 amThe Ohio State is where I will be on Thursday evening. The private practice club will be hosting myself and a colleague/friend of mine, Ryan Parker, O.D., to talk about life in private practice. We are anxious to bring our thoughts and ideas to a budding young class of optometry students whose minds are filled with textbooks of information on ray tracings and proprioceptive-kinesthetic higher order brain functions of a TBI patient. The draw for Ryan and I has always been the real life aspect that we give to the students. There is an insatiable hunger for what the real world is like when… -
Vision Plan pays office Interest $$$
18 Apr 2012 | 10:19 amHire the best . . . I had a good chuckle yesterday as I was visiting with our insurance administrator at the office. She has been with us for about 6-8 months and she continues to reveal areas in our submission of claims that need improvement. What is so ironic is that prior to her arrival at our office we did very good at processing claims and getting paid. Our 60 and 90 day delinquent accounts were relatively low, however, she has raised the bar to what acceptable is…WOW. When she showed me a check yesterday from one of our vision plans where the vision company paid us… -
Starting a Practice
11 Apr 2012 | 8:39 amI’ve been working on an article for AOA News regarding location analysis. Below is an excerpt from the article with some very practical tips for making your dream a reality. The complete article will be published in the May or June issue of the AOA News. Key components of location analysis. Decide where to practice (family considerations, school, church, job opportunities for spouse, small town, medical emphasis, VT emphasis, etc.) After narrowing down the cities/towns to 3-5 then evaluate the number of surrounding optometrists (OD) for your location…
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GeriPal - Geriatrics and Palliative Care Blog
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Mostly Dead vs Completely Dead: A Distinction Best Left to Hollywood
14 May 2012 | 5:54 pmI was at a dinner a meeting of the Greenwall Faculty Scholars, a bioethics career development program for junior faculty, when an interesting issue came up. Several folks at our table argued that patients who donate organs after cardiac death are not "Dead" (capitol D) at the time the incision begins to harvest their organs. The question that arose was - should patients, families, and transplant doctors be informed that the patient is not completely "Dead" before organ procurement begins? I am no transplant surgeon, but here is my basic understanding of the issue (with backup from… -
The Fellowship Match: Geriatrics Is In, Palliative Care is Still Out
2 May 2012 | 5:34 pmThe biggest announcement so far at the American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting is that Geriatrics will be entering into the fellowship match for the 2014 academic year! This is huge news for geriatrics and should serve as a push for Hospice and Palliative Medicine to get out of the position of being the last fellowship program outside of the match. Why is this important news? Both geriatrics and palliative care have been stuck with a dysfunctional matchless system. We have written on the chaos of not being in the match previously on GeriPal, heard what being 'matchless' means to applicants… -
An Appeal to Bring Medical Eduction into Nursing Homes
1 May 2012 | 11:28 amWhat happens when the head of one of the most prominent medical education journals publishes a call for every medical school and teaching hospital to develop educational experiences in nursing homes? Will a system that bows down at the alter of the hospital experience change to raise the importance of caring for the 1.4 million nursing home residents in the US, or will the status quo rule the day? Steven Kanter, MD Steven L. Kanter, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Academic Medicine, was the one to make the appeal in an editorial published this week (Acad Med. 2012 May;87(5):547-8). Dr. Kanter… -
Blogs to Boards: Question 11
1 May 2012 | 11:17 amThis is the eleventh in a series of 41 posts from both GeriPal and Pallimed to get our physician readers ready for the hospice and palliative medicine boards. Every week GeriPal and Pallimed alternates publishing a new question, as well as a discussion of possible answers to the question (click here for the full list of questions). Question 11 Mr. Z is a 87 year old with advanced dementia living in a nursing home. At baseline he cannot recognize family members, is dependent on all ADLs (dressing, toileting, bathing) but does not have urinary or fecal incontinence. -
Blogs to Boards: Question 9
21 Apr 2012 | 10:17 amThis is the ninth in a series of 41 posts from both GeriPal and Pallimed to get our physician readers ready for the hospice and palliative medicine boards. Every week GeriPal and Pallimed alternates publishing a new question, as well as a discussion of possible answers to the question (click here for the full list of questions). Question 9 BJ, a 65 yo woman with known non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic to her mediastinum, contralateral lung, and supraclavicular lymph nodes, returns to your clinic for follow-up for her cancer-related pain. She is getting…
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Safety un-Limited
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Sunstroke, Heatstroke and their Prevention
7 May 2012 | 1:01 pmSunstroke is one way of baking your brain (or your kids brains) – there are others, but sunstroke tends to be the biggest risk as summer starts (it will do soon!). Baking your brains? Really? Sounds kinda dramatic…? By NikoLang (Own work (Screenshot)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsWell, temperatures above 41 C start to cause proteins to breakdown (and your brain is made of proteins) heatstroke is defined as a body temp above 40 C. It doesn’t take much to see that sunstroke can be a medical emergency. Now let’s back up a minute – ‘sunstroke’… -
What are the Top 5 Children’s Injuries
25 Apr 2012 | 3:55 pm“What are the top 5 Children’s Injuries, and quick treatments for them?” was one of the question posted on our Facebook wall recently. As we ask you what you want to know, it’s good to answer as well, so here are the top 5 children’s injuries, in order: 1. Motor Vehicle Collisions 2. Drowning 3. Suffocation 4. Burns 5. Poisoning As you can already see, it’s not always about quick treatments, perhaps not treatment of any sort. We need to emphasise prevention as well. It’s part of our first aid courses, and it’s mentioned in all the manuals as… -
Protect Children from the sun
16 Apr 2012 | 5:15 pm‘Sunscreen!’ and other tips to protect children from the sun, and a surprise way their sun-exposure is doubled! Imagine having two suns beating down on them…. you need to read how to avoid this. OK, yes we know. This may be optimistic depending on where you live, but it won’t be long…. we promise! So how do we protect children from the sun? Several people recently have asked for more information about how to protect children from the sun, so lets start with the easy one Avoid sun exposure during the sun’s peak hours (10am – 4 pm). The easiest way to… -
CPR – is it for fit, healthy pople?
20 Mar 2012 | 12:23 pmSo you thought you were fit & healthy and that excused you from learning CPR? After all it’s just for kids (who choke on all kinds of stuff) and grannies, right? Well first of all, who do you think does the CPR on the child or the elder person? That’s you, that is…. So get learning. Secondly, being fit doesn’t stop you from needing CPR (so book the rest of your family on a course too). For some reason, the topic of fit people needing CPR seems to be coming to our attention this week. Let’s start with a personal story (the names have been omitted – you know who you are). Gym… -
How do you call EMS (emergency medical services)?
13 Mar 2012 | 11:10 amSo just how do you call EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and what happens when you do? This is based partly on our classroom teaching (we cover this in every course) and on personal experience. Know the number to call How do you call EMS? The first requirement is to know the number you need. OK that sounds simple, but it varies from country to country – so if you travel, find out! Locally it’s 9-1-1 but elsewhere I’ve called 9-9-9 and 1-1-2 as well. Not only that, but here in Canada at least it can vary with your location. In bigger urban areas (like Vancouver) you’re…
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REVIEW HUB
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Health benefits of Guava Leaves
6 May 2012 | 11:23 pmHealth benefits of Guava LeavesMost of us are aware of the many health benefits of Guava but not just the fruits but guava leaves also have many herbal use and thus the health benefits of Guava leaves can’t be ignored.Let us now understand the various health benefits of Guava leaves.Age related treatmentsBeing rich in antioxidants it can assist in prevention as well as repairing of the damage of cells initiated by free radicals and/ or oxidants, thereby decreasing the pace of aging and reducing the danger of linked disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, Heart disease, Cancer,… -
Domstal O Tablets
6 May 2012 | 10:45 pmDomstal O TabletsDomstal O (Domperidone) is an antidopaminergic drug administered for the treatment of surpassing nausea or vomiting. Occasionally it also is used for inducing lactation.Domstal usageLast month I suffered from serious gastrointestinal disorders and constant vomiting was one problem which I had to handle a lot. Nausea and vomiting really was making me weak and I had to take Domstal medicines to try and avoid it. Domstal O really is effective and in just two dosage of the drug, it helped me control nausea and avoid vomiting and the good part of the drug is, it doesn’t have any… -
Oronine H ointment
22 Apr 2012 | 11:10 pmOronine H ointmentIf you ever suffered from Eczema then you surely must have used Oronine H ointment at some point of your treatment period. Though Oronine H is an over the counter ointment but it is extremely effective in fighting the symptoms of Eczema. Itching and irritation is mostly one of the most annoying symptom associated with Eczema and the very first application of Oronine H ointment helps relief from the symptoms and this is the main reason why I normally use Oronine H ointment for fighting any symptoms of Eczema or for that matter any common form of hypersensitivity.Oronine H… -
Congestal tablets
22 Apr 2012 | 10:19 pmCongestal tabletsChange of season brings with it many kinds of minor ailments like fever, headache and runny nose. Those they are not a major reason for concern but it really is a nuisance and doesn’t let you concentrate on your work. Recently I was down with fever and blocked nose and I was prescribed by our family doctor to administer Congestal tablets.My mother immediately went to a nearby store and bought home few tablets of Congestal and I was administered with one immediately after my dinner. I felt a little dizzy soon after using the tablet and woke up only the next morning. The next… -
Divya Kesh Tail
8 Feb 2012 | 9:22 pmI have tried Livon Hair Gain tonic, Minoxidil Solution, Propecia , Ricapil Rapid and many such so called hair products for treating hair loss but didn’t have any pleasing experience with any of them. Minoxidil Solution was an exception but it is expensive and not possible to use it on the long run and the day you stop using Minoxidil Solution, hair fall reappears. I am just 26 and already looked like 30 plus because of my hair loss. Not just I but my family and friends were also worried about it. Few months back a friend called up and recommended using Divya Kesh tail. I had lost all faith…
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Physician Burnout To Physician Wellness - one doctor at a time | The Happy MD
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Bucket List – 3 Steps To Actually Living Yours
13 May 2012 | 1:01 pmBucket List – Three Steps to Living Your List Now A Bucket List is the list of things you want to do, places you want to see, things you want to accomplish before you “kick the bucket”. These are the things you REALLY want to do in the time that you have left … so you can die with a smile on your face. The tragedy is that for many people – especially doctors – your bucket list is a source of sadness and guilt. For many it is a list of the things you have sacrificed to be a physician – the things left undone … and it doesn’t have to be that… -
Death With Dignity in the Emergency Room
8 May 2012 | 5:57 pmDeath with Dignity in a Busy Emergency Room In our modern hospital environment, death with dignity can be difficult to accomplish. So often the conversations that would lead to a death with dignity are missed or avoided — with tragic consequences. Here is a story from my own personal experience of a death with dignity in the midst of a busy Emergency room … a setting where death with dignity is the very last thing on most people’s mind. Death With Dignity in the ER The ambulance crew rolled him into my ER breathless in his pajamas, O2 mask on his face, gasping for air, his… -
Doctor Jokes- You Know You Are a Doctor When …
30 Apr 2012 | 3:25 pmDoctor Jokes – Foxworthy Style The comedian Jeff Foxworthy is famous for a series of jokes he calls, “You might be a Redneck if …”. They are funny because they hit very close to home … if you are a Redneck. Here are some doctor jokes that start with “You know you are a doctor when …”. These doctor jokes are funny because they aren’t really doctor jokes at all … they are a slice of life as a doctor. Each comes from the real life experience of real doctors. Please add your own doctor jokes in the comment form at the end of this post [thank you to my… -
Medical Career Overwhelm – Step One to Take Your Life Back
29 Apr 2012 | 4:21 pmMedical Career Overwhelm? Here’s Step #1 to Take Your Life Back When it comes to Having A Life You have a Blind Spot The funny thing about blind spots is you don’t know you have them … that is why they are called “Blind Spots”. This one is shared by virtually 100% of the physicians I have met … and many others who have chosen a medical career. This particular blind spot is a direct result of the conditioning of medical school and residency. As a result of this blind spot …You don’t know where you are going And you aren’t the one driving… -
Healthcare Social Media is a Waste of Time for Most Doctors
26 Apr 2012 | 8:28 pmHealthcare Social Media is a Waste of Time (or worse) for Most Physicians Healthcare Social Media is all the rage these days. You can’t visit even one physician-oriented website without someone breathlessly advising you to be on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube … and now Pinterest. Yet the only reason these talking heads can give you is, “because they are really popular and everyone is doing it.” Healthcare Social Media Consulting is a bubble economy at the moment. I suspect there are far more healthcare social media consultants in the marketplace than doctors who can point to…
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Healthcare Today - Health News
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NICE set to reverse decision on prostate cancer drug
16 May 2012 | 1:58 amThe National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is set to approve a drug which can treat prostate cancer for use by the health service in England and Wales.NICE had previously rejected the drug Abiraterone in February as being too costly but this provoked criticism from patients and charities.The drug costs around £3,000 a month per patient and can prolong patients' life expectancy by more tha... -
Test developed for schizophrenia
15 May 2012 | 7:32 amResearchers in the United States say they have developed a test which might be used to predict a person's risk for schizophrenia.Using a new approach to identify the full set of genes responsible for this complex mental illness, scientists now believe they have broken the genetic code for the disorder, which is currently thought to run in families.According to study co-author and medical neuroscience associa... -
Risk register veto 'wrong'
15 May 2012 | 6:11 amA report by Christopher Graham, the Information Commissioner, has deemed the government veto on the publication of the NHS risk register to be "unjustified".The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley vetoed the publication of the register because he said it was "in the public interest".He said last week that they had exercised the right to legally veto publication because of the need for a "sa... -
Break from email is good for health
15 May 2012 | 5:30 amResearchers in the United States say that taking a break from work email could be good for people's health, as it reduces stress levels and also enables them to concentrate better.A study carried out by a team from the University of California's Irvine campus and the US military studied the responses of a team of office-based workers who were cut off from their office email for five days.They found that th... -
US woman fights flesh-eating infection
15 May 2012 | 5:12 amA 24-year-old college student from the US looks set to lose her remaining limbs following her infection with a rare, flesh-eating bacteria and the amputation of one leg.Aimee Copeland's infection with the extremely rare disease, necrotising fasciitis, following an accident on an outdoor excursion has grabbed national headlines, owing to the dramatic effect of the infection on the life of a talented and attractive youn...
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Professional Patient Perspective
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Crohn’s Disease is “NFL-Tough” according to Matt Light, retired NFL Offensive Lineman
10 May 2012 | 7:33 pmWhen Matt Light of the NFL’s New England Patriots announced his retirement this past week, he also disclosed for the 1st time that he has been suffering from Crohn’s Disease for the past 10 years. He described his battles with Crohn’s Disease as extremely painful and ugly, with pain so bad it was often paralyzing. In fact, a 2004 surgery to remove 13 inches of his intestine combined with post-operative complications landed Matt in the hospital for 30 days during which his typical NFL Offensive Lineman weight of 316 fell all the way down to 260. Yet, through it all, Matt… -
What to ask before your 1st Crohn’s Disease Surgery
3 May 2012 | 9:13 pmThe Power of Crohn’s Disease As a 49 year-old battling Crohn’s Disease for almost 30 years, people always ask me two (2) things: 1. What is so unique about Crohn’s Disease which makes surgery such a last resort? 2. Why has it been necessary for you to be hospitalized over 200 times for treatment of Crohn’s Disease? The answers to these two (2) questions set up a foundation of knowledge that every Crohn’s patient should acquire so they are properly equipped to most effectively interact with their surgeon during that 1st surgical consultation. But before I share advice about… -
Saving Money by “Working” Your Health Insurance Plan
22 Apr 2012 | 12:14 pmHaving Health Insurance these days isn’t good enough. You must know how to “Work” your Health Insurance Plan to best maximize your preferences and financial expenditures. **This Video is a summary of a Chapter in the upcoming eBook, “Chronic Illness: Truths, Tales and Tips” by Michael A. Weiss. The eBook is set to be ready for distribution during the Summer, 2012. Mr. Weiss is also the author of “Confessions of a Professional Hospital Patient” presently available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. -
Impersonalized Medicine for Chronic Illness Patients
14 Apr 2012 | 2:48 pm(This Blog Entry is excerpted from a Chapter in the upcoming eBook, “Chronic Illness: Truths, Tales & Tips” written by Michael A. Weiss) Interacting with my Pain Management Doctor I was moved to write this Blog Entry because of a phone conversation I recently had with my Pain Management Doctor during which I told him I was exceeding my monthly dose of narcotic pain medication and I needed more medication prior to our upcoming appointment in two (2) weeks. Patients who routinely see Pain Management Doctors can attest to the tremendous anxiety which builds up while making this phone… -
Chronic Disease – a Teenager’s WISE Perspective
25 Mar 2012 | 1:09 pmThis Video features an email I received from a then-19-year old, Jennifer Wheeler, now a talented artist in college who was battling various social aspects of living with Chronic Illness and Crohn’s Disease. Yes, you can be THAT BEAUTIFUL and have Crohn’s Disease. When her Date asked, “Is Crohn’s Disease contagious?” she knew there was something not being communicating to people about the etiquette of inquiring about chronic disease. After listening to her being upset, I thought her insights and perspective were wise, prophetic and truly indicative of what people go through…
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HEALTHeCAREERS Blog
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Have You Found Your Match?
14 May 2012 | 7:00 amAll of us have gone on a romantic date at one point in our lives. Dates can be fun, exhilarating or maybe even frightening. Questions that might come up in your mind are: Is he or she going to like me? What if I make a terrible mistake and say something wrong? If you are a jobseeker, you may have these same feelings of anticipation. Going to a job interview is like dating in many ways. You are searching for that one healthcare job that will be a good match for you. Before you can find more about your match, you will have to go on a job interview to learn more. Here are 4 tips worth… -
Healthcare News Roundup -- Nurses Week, Innovation and Med School on the Fast Track
11 May 2012 | 6:03 amHCA Today: "Happy Nurses Week, Y’all" – Music Video Happy National Nurses Week! As you know this week celebrates our American heroes – the millions of nurses who work to save lives and improve patient care every day. Check out this creative video from HCA that celebrates nurses. Talent Management: “Find the Right People to Boost Innovation” Have you considered recruiting “intrapreneurs” for your organization? If not, you might want to. By bringing in these entrepreneurs, you’ll effectively help to bolster… -
Working Moms, You Can't Have it All
9 May 2012 | 7:41 amRecently, I found a term paper I wrote as a college senior titled, "Child Care Crisis in America." It's interesting to me now that as an ambitious business school student back then, I was already questioning the notion that working women could have it all, including a rewarding career, a good marriage, perfect kids and excellent affordable child care. My professors (mostly middle aged men, now that I think about it) never doubted that my female classmates and I would be successful. They just didn't tell us that once we had children, it would be difficult to manage it all… -
The Boom of Urgent Care Centers
7 May 2012 | 8:06 amA growing trend in healthcare has successfully carved out its niche across America. Recently, more and more consumers have been gravitating toward urgent care centers and walk-in clinics for medical treatment. Urgent Care Centers (UCCs), also known as immediate or convenient-care centers, are walk-in medical clinics that are designed to treat minor illnesses and injuries that are not serious emergencies, but do require medical care. Sore throats, ear infections, eye injuries, cuts, and abdominal pain are just a few of the most common reasons why Americans seek out urgent care. Although the… -
Healthcare News Roundup -- Healthcare Jobs, Aspiring Doctors and Social Media for Healthcare
4 May 2012 | 6:30 amToo busy to catch up on the latest trends and news for the healthcare industry? Here's what's happening in healthcare this week: What you need to know about health care jobs in the U.S. Do you really know how the healthcare job market is faring? Check out Ragan's Health Care Communication News latest projections. Read as HEALTHeCAREERS' CEO Mike Tansey shares his insight into today’s job market and what the future may hold for physician and nursing careers. So It Turns Out that Lots and Lots of People Still Want to Be Doctors If you’re considering whether or…
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MedCity News
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CIO: Culture is as important as EMR migration in hospital mergers
15 May 2012 | 4:29 pmIf you are managing a merger, take a guess at how much time it will take to create a new culture. Then double it. Healthcare chief information officer Tom Wittman, a veteran of the Army as well as several hospital mergers, says it’s very easy to underestimate the impact of bringing two groups of people together. “With a merger, you’re creating a new culture and it’s difficult to do that without building trust and building a common vision,” he said. ” It’s a lot of work to build a new culture and it can’t be rushed.” Wittman is a regional… -
GE $250M fund manager: We have a lot of dry powder, looking to invest
15 May 2012 | 2:24 pmNoah Lewis, managing director, GE Healthymagination Fund Startups, listen up. GE’s nearly two-and-a-half-year-old $250 million Healthymagination Fund still has a “lot of dry powder” and executives are looking for promising startups to invest in. Noah Lewis, managing director of the Healthymagination Fund, and a colleague were out broadcasting the fund’s capabilities while meeting new companies at the IBF MedTech Investing Conference in Minneapolis last week. In the midst of that, Lewis took some time to talk about the fund, the investment criteria and what GE brings… -
‘Cross-kingdom’ vaccine may protect against fungal and bacterial infections
15 May 2012 | 1:37 pmA clinical-stage pharmaceutical company with a vaccine it says uses a single antigen to protect against both fungal and bacterial infections is looking for a series B round to fund phase 2 trials for hospital-associated infection and women’s health applications next year. NovaDigm Therapeutics’ lead product, the NDV-3 vaccine, targets the fungal infection candida and the bacterial infection staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA). It contains a protein called Als3, which is found on the surface of candida cells and allows them to attach to and invade human host cells. Structurally, the… -
Universal dental care, treatment on demand could stop newborn addiction
15 May 2012 | 1:19 pmA newly recognized consequence of the epidemic of prescription opioid abuse in the U.S. is a huge increase in the number of babies born addicted. Most, though not all (for reasons not well understood) of the babies born to women who are chronic opioid users will go through withdrawal (called Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, NAS). Doctors give them opioid replacement, such as methadone, and wean them off gradually. They end up spending typically 16 days in the hospital at a cost of over $50,000, mostly paid for by Medicaid. Stephen Patrick et al, in the linked report, find that the incidence of… -
Aussie doc: St. Jude’s hypertension treatment better than Medtronic’s
15 May 2012 | 11:36 amWhen it comes to commercialization efforts of renal denervation therapy, St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ) is behind Medtronic (NYSE:MDT). But St. Jude Medical is hoping that slow and steady may still win the race in the quest to use this novel treatment in patients whose high blood pressure is not controlled by medication. The device maker announced Tuesday that its EnligHTN renal denervation system has been approved and launched in Europe. And the principal investigator of a study evaluating the safety and efficacy of the device said that it is a second-generation product and has several…
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Avoid Medical Errors
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Sterilization performed without consent
14 May 2012 | 12:45 amA thirty-two year-old mother delivered her third child by cesarean section. After the delivery, her obstetrician tied her tubes. The plaintiff complained the sterilization was done without her knowledge or consent. During a routine prenatal visit the plaintiff claimed that she had stated she did not want her tubes tied after the cesarean section, which was written in the obstetrician’s records. There was no written consent form for the sterilization. The obstetrician claimed that the nurse at the delivery approached him before the delivery and said that the patient had informed her that she… -
Near fatal patient controlled analgesia pump incident
10 May 2012 | 12:58 amGuest post by Matt Whitman Amanda Abbiehl and I share a similar story. Both of us were on patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps to manage our pain. However, the difference is that, by the grace of God, an observant nurse who just happened to walk by my room when I stopped breathing, called a “Code Blue”, and that ultimately saved my life. I would have been just another statistic if it wasn’t for that nurse. Unfortunately, Amanda was not so lucky. What are the odds of a nurse putting her head into a patient’s room just as that patient is experiencing respiratory depression? Slim. -
How to help your loved one in the hospital
7 May 2012 | 12:30 amJennifer Wortham offers practical experience you can use to help your loved one in the hospital- and yourself. Learn from this brief videotip. -
Patient Centered Care
3 May 2012 | 12:42 amWhat does this term mean and why is it important to you? It means looking at care from the perspective of the patient and determining what needs to shift to keep the patient at the center. Examples of non-patient centered care: Turning on the lights of the hospital room at night in order to take vital signs Making a patient wait in the emergency department for over an hour to be transported to a nursing unit Not responding to a request for help because it is change of shift and the nurses are all charting Providing patient education materials written at a college level, which is… -
Hiring and firing healthcare workers with substance abuse problems
30 Apr 2012 | 12:07 amIt is not so easy at times for healthcare employers to spot potential employees with drug problems. A person applying for a job may remain free of drugs during the period of a pre-employment physical and urine testing for drugs. Once that process is completed, he or she may resume using drugs. Then the employer may catch the employee when he begins stealing drugs from the hospital. Several years ago I worked on a nursing unit with a nurse who was suspected of diverting medications for his own use. I was unaware of the problem until I saw someone from the pharmacy department counting the pills…
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Medical Billing Blog
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The Impact of Hospital Billing Processes on Patients’ Longer-Term Satisfaction
15 May 2012 | 12:58 amThe sway that business offices can have on reference patterns amongst consumers is a tactical opportunity as the insurance market moves to high deductible plans and hospitals take in new physicians into their business. According to a survey conducted by Connance in 2011 Americans who received hospital services in the past 2 years, merely 21% of patients engaged with the business office after discharge are completely contented with hospital billing, and those less happy are less liable to recommend the hospital to their friends and acquaintances. Moreover the survey also suggests that among… -
Exodus to hospital-based employment and its effect on healthcare industry
14 May 2012 | 1:55 amWhile the recent healthcare reforms ushered in by the Federal Government promises to elevate clinical and operational efficiency across the nation’s healthcare continuum, it is also going to induce physicians into a more accountable and responsible quality clinical regime. The imminent Accountable Care Organization Model, Medicare cuts, the fear of Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) backlash, the compulsory implementation of EHR, coupled with the monumental shift to ICD-10 and HIPAA 5010 compliant medical billing and coding have begun to take heavy toll of lone-standing clinical practices. The… -
The Changing Face of Primary Care: An Overview
12 May 2012 | 1:49 amThe shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs) in the United States has been a well publicized and well documented issue. However, the solutions to the various issues faced by primary care in the country have been obscure even after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The complications in finding the solutions to the challenges faced by primary care stem from factors ranging from policy reform to changing demographics. According to a New England Health Institute report, primary care in the country is facing a crisis due to the shortage of PCPs and the increase in demand for such… -
Is Medicare and Medicaid Reimbursements fairer than Private Insurers: a Brief Comparison
11 May 2012 | 1:43 amVarious providers despite being paid lesser by government than by commercial insurers believe that Medicare and Medicaid reimburse more fairly than commercial payers. Findings from a recent survey depicted that 93% of respondents feel that Medicare is fair always or frequently while 62% felt the same about Medicaid, whereas 62% were of the view that commercial plans are not fair in all or most cases; and 49% said commercials are fair sometimes. One of the factors in assessing fairness can be speed –approximately two-thirds of respondents said Medicare pays the fastest, 26% said Medicaid and… -
The Financial Importance of Timely Medical Claim Submission
10 May 2012 | 1:40 amThe importance of timely claims submission is not lost on physicians or their staff and is an integral part of the revenue cycle management (RCM). The dynamic nature of the health industry and the reforms has further exacerbated the already volatile situation when it comes to claim submission, denials, and re-submissions. There are numerous factors that affect the efficiency of the claim submission process and these may range from type-o errors to other issues regarding medical billing and coding or policy matters. Moreover, the tendency to deny or reject claims based on simple errors seems…
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Healthy Debate
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Ontario’s Plan for Personal Support Workers
10 May 2012 | 8:08 amThe need for community care workers is expected to double in the next decade. In Ontario, personal support workers (PSWs) provide a great deal of the direct care services provided in peoples’ homes, and in long-term care settings. With increased demands on PSWs and a growing need for their care, there remain unresolved issues around training, scope of practice and work environment for these workers. May 16 is Personal Support Worker Day. PSWs are increasingly providing the majority of direct care services to elderly or ill patients who live in long-term care institutions or who receive… -
Money Matters: Does ‘Pay-for-Performance’ Improve Quality?
3 May 2012 | 7:27 amIn Ontario, new ways of paying doctors have been introduced in an attempt to improve the quality of their services. One approach is pay-for-performance, which pays doctors for meeting certain treatment goals. However, there is little high quality evidence that pay-for-performance improves the quality of care, and it appears to have had limited impact in Ontario so far. Over the last ten years, Ontario has significantly changed how it pays doctors – particularly family doctors. Prior to 2003, nearly all doctors in Ontario were paid through “fee for… -
Does More Care Mean Better Care?
26 Apr 2012 | 6:30 amA recent study found that Ontario hospitals that used more resources and spent more money had better outcomes for acutely ill patients than hospitals that used fewer resources. These findings go against a previous study that looked at the same question in the United States and found that more resources didn't impact outcomes. A better understanding of what kind of health spending is of high value might help us improve the quality of care in Ontario. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association compared the outcomes of patients hospitalized… -
Medication shortages: how Ontario came to rely on one manufacturer
19 Apr 2012 | 8:03 amConcerns about quality and a fire at a Sandoz plant in Quebec exacerbated the current drug shortage in Canada. Many are asking why the shutdown of a single facility could threaten the nation’s supply of vital prescription medications. While federal and provincial governments have been eager to play the blame game, a shared sense of responsibility could lead to important changes to the way we secure the nation’s drug supply. The Sandoz crisis On March 4 a fire broke out at a Quebec manufacturing facility of the multinational generic drug manufacturer Sandoz. The fire halted… -
Head First: Birth Centres in Ontario
12 Apr 2012 | 7:00 amOntario recently announced funding for two birth centres that will be led by midwives. The government has indicated it is opening birth centres partly to move care out of hospitals and save money. Although birth centres are probably safe and may improve maternity care, it is less clear whether Ontario’s birth centres will indeed reduce costs. The Ontario government recently announced that it will provide funding for two birth centres in the province. Many news reports, as well as the Association of Ontario Midwives, have claimed that the birth centres have the potential to…
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healthinsurance.org editors comment ...
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Do you know what you pay for health insurance? - Survey says: When it comes to their own health plans, consumers often don't know what they're paying for deductibles, premiums
11 May 2012 | 1:55 pmA disturbing survey reveals that most Californians – and likely most Americans – are unwilling to focus on the details of their health coverage. Those who are focused on the details are finding their coverage is increasingly riddled with holes. -
Health coverage for ex-prisoners: a quiet but important benefit of health reform
9 May 2012 | 2:45 pmIf I'm trying to sell health reform, the smiling waitress with two kids, the laid-off steel worker, and the 7th grader with cancer work better on the campaign posters. Yet for many reasons – some obvious, some not – the health and well-being of ex-prisoners has a disproportionate impact on us all. -
In sickness and in health - When health care is personal ... and political
30 Apr 2012 | 11:25 amMr. and Mrs. Romney might ponder why so many people whose lives have been altered by chronic disease and disability become passionate supporters of health reform. Some of these advocates directly experience medical-economic hardship. Others have not faced the most punishing financial consequences. They merely see what happens to others, less-privileged, who face the same medical challenges with fewer resources. -
Health reform: a huge victory for women - What's at stake for voters and the women they love?
28 Apr 2012 | 7:00 pmWhen they buy their own health insurance in the individual market, women must lay out an extra $1 billion a year, simply because they are women. -
Hate Obamacare? Rip up your rebate check. - Rebates driven by medical loss ratio offer perfect opportunity for reform opponents to 'put your money where your mouth is'
26 Apr 2012 | 5:06 pmThe timing is perfect for everyone who despises Obamacare to demonstrate loudly and clearly your total disgust for the health reform law. It's time to vote with your check ... insurance rebate check, that is.
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Heal The Globe
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THE FRUIT FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE:
20 Apr 2012 | 3:57 pmTHE FRUIT FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE:Pure and fresh, with zero side effects, fruits & veggies offer your skin with countless healing solutions. They are the most natural cures for all mysteries of your skin. Choose an ideal fruit mask for your skin type.Read moreTags: Skin Care -
A SNEAKY CURE FOR ACNE: SALICYLIC ACID
5 Apr 2012 | 1:21 pmA SNEAKY CURE FOR ACNE: SALICYLIC ACIDBelieve it or not, this mild acid is found to be an active ingredient in almost every acne product. It gives a gentle yet promising solution for acne & pimples. Discover more about the secrets of salicylic acid on your skin..Read moreTags: Acne, Acne Topical Skin Treatment, Acne Treatment, Bad Acne -
BRUSH THEM WITH CARE
25 Mar 2012 | 2:43 pmBRUSH THEM WITH CARESurprisingly, the best product you can buy for adding shine to your hair would be a decent hairbrush. Yes, proper brushing is known to have a direct outcome on the health of your hair. Learn some easy facts & tips on hair brushing(long hair care) and its techniques...Read moreTags: Hair Care, Hair Care Tips, Hair Management, Hair Problems, Hair Treatment, Long Hair Care -
GRAPESEED OIL: EMMA STONE'S BEAUTY SECRET
23 Mar 2012 | 1:34 pmGRAPESEED OIL: EMMA STONE'S BEAUTY SECRET'The Amazing Spiderman' actress, Emma Stone is pretty much envied for her porcelain complexion. While most Hollywood stars are into premium products to maintan their beauty, this young actress gives natural and best skin care tip for healthy skin. Emma Stone revealed her beauty secret by saying that a bottle of grapeseed oil is her key to look fresh and blemish-free and healthy skin. Read moreTags: Celebrity Beauty Secrets, EMMA STONE'S BEAUTY SECRET, Emma Stone, Grapeseed Oil, Grapeseed Oil For Face, Healthy Skin, Natural And Best Skin… -
CHOOSING SKIN PRODUCTS FOR YOUR AGE
17 Mar 2012 | 2:40 pmCHOOSING SKIN PRODUCTS FOR YOUR AGETo put it in clear words-you cant always adopt the same regime for your best skin care. Skin is one possession that needs constant care, with changing seasons & periods. Here is a brief skin care tips to treat your skin perfectly: #1. Kids upto the age of 15 have a clear, supple and senstivie skin. This is the age in which you need to safeguard and protect their mild skin. Using skin products that are rich in cream & moisturizers, encourage the nourishment of their skin. Likewise they're to use a sunscreen, during prolonged exposure to sun.Read…
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Home Health Care News
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CMS Medical Device Bidding Program a Success? Too Soon To Tell says GAO
15 May 2012 | 5:26 pmThe Government Accountability Office(GAO) found that it’s too soon to determine the success of completive bidding on Medicare beneficiaries and Durable Medical Equipment Providers (DME). While the GAO found the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) first round of competitive bidding was successfully implemented, it also found that utilization declined in certain areas. “More experience with DME competitive bidding is needed, particularly to see if evidence of beneficiary access problems emerges. For that reason, it is important to continue monitoring changes in the… -
Chart of the Day: Older Woman Use Home Health Services More than Men
15 May 2012 | 5:25 pmNew data released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows that men aged 65 and over use home health care at a lower rate than woman. Among home health care patients 65 years andover, women were more likely to be 85 years and over while men were more likelyto be married and receive home health care as post-acute care. Women 65 years andover who received home health care were less likely than males to receive woundcare and physical therapy, and more likely to receive homemaker services. Amonghome health care patients who were 65 years and over, cancer was more prevalentamong… -
How Much Does Health Care Cost Retirees? More than $240,000 Report Shows
15 May 2012 | 12:48 pmHealth care costs are mounting for retired couples, and a new study from Fidelity indicates exactly how much. For the average 65-year-old married couple retiring in 2012, the health care costs they will face are expected to be at least $240,000, not counting long-term care, over the counter medications and most dental costs. The cost is up 4% over last year and has increased an average of 6% annually since Fidelity’s initial calculation in 2002. In 2011, however, the estimate declined $20,000 due to a one-time adjustment driven by Medicare changes that reduced out-of-pocket expenses… -
Older Dementia Patients Cared For Mostly at Home
14 May 2012 | 5:21 pmMost elderly dementia patients are cared for and die in their homes rather than in an institutional setting, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, reports HealthDay. The study’s findings go against a widely-held belief that most dementia patients end up moving into a nursing home and dying there, according to Dr. Christopher Callahan, of the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute in Indianapolis, and his research colleagues. In fact, according to the study, about 19% died in nursing homes while nearly half… -
Advocate Partners With Merge Health for Instant Cardiac Remote Imaging Service
14 May 2012 | 5:21 pmAdvocate Health Care announced a partnership Sunday with Merge Healthcare to provide physicians instant access to cardiac imaging and informatics solutions. Oak Brook, Illinois-based Advocate runs one of the largest Chicago-area home health systems, as well as a national health system network. The company says the partnership was formed in an effort to improve workflow and enhance patient care. As a cardiologist, I need to have immediate access to a patient’s complete cardiology record to ensure I make the most informed medical decisions,” said Dr. Vincent Bufalino, Advocate Health…
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Queen West Physio
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Playing Golf with Arthritis
8 May 2012 | 3:28 pmIf you suffer from arthritis, there is great news for you! You do not have to quit playing golf. Actually, the sport can help improve the symptoms of arthritis by adding strength and mobility, which prevent pain and swelling. Exercise has been found to be one of the best ways to treat osteoarthritis. Exercise can help your mood, act as a pain reliever, increase your flexibility, help you to maintain your weight, improve your cardiovascular system, and make you generally healthier! Osteoarthritis normally comes on very gradually. First, joints may be sore after working hard physically or… -
Wrist Injury – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
8 May 2012 | 3:25 pmWrist and metacarpal injuries are more common in contact sports, racquet sports, and gymnastics. The wrist represents one of the most complicated regions of the musculoskeletal anatomy. It is comprised of 15 bones, 27 articular surfaces, and an elaborate system of ligaments that maintain these bones and surfaces in proper relation to one another. The wrist joint is formed proximally by the distal surface of the radius and ulna and the attached fibrocartillage disc, and distally by the scaphoid, lunate and triquetral bones. The wrist as a region extends from the distal radius and ulna to the… -
What Are Repetitive Stress Injuries?
25 Apr 2012 | 12:17 pmA repetitive stress injury (RSI) is a stress-related, cumulative injury resulting from constant, repetitive movements. Awkward angles of movement and insufficient rest periods during work are large factors often contributing to this injury. Due to the popularization of technology in the workplace, physicians treating someone with RSI must suddenly consider a whole new collection of ergonomic concerns. An effective treatment plan requires the doctor to identify and help the patient change behaviors that initially produced the injury. We often push ourselves to our physical limits trying to… -
Sciatic Nerve Symptoms: Warning Signs You Should Watch Out For
20 Apr 2012 | 1:07 pmThe sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, which extends from each side of lower spine through rear and back of the thigh and then down to foot. When there is an irritation or compression of the nerve roots in the lower spine, it may result in sciatic pain. The most common cause of sciatic pain is an irritation of the nerve root in the lower spine by a herniated disc or simply slight pressure on the outer layer of the disc. Common causes of sciatica are: a bulging or herniated disc, lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, trauma (such as gunshot wounds and fractures), piriformis… -
My Heel Is Killing Me!….What Is It?
19 Apr 2012 | 4:08 pmHeel pain is one of the most common painful conditions seen in an arthritis clinic. This article discusses the various types of problems that cause heel pain and what can be done to make the situation better. It’s estimated that more than 100,000 people in Canada suffer from heel pain at any given time. When a patient complains of heel pain, it must be clarified by history whether the pain is in the bottom of the heel or the back of the heel because the diagnosis and treatment are very different. Pain in the bottom of the heel is often due to plantar fasciitis (PF). The plantar fascia…
