News

CMS announces the Prior Authorization of Power Mobility Devices (PMDs) Demonstration and the Recovery Audit Prepayment Review Demonstration

Submitted Fri, 2012-02-03 15:08

On November 15, 2011 Centers for Medicare and Medicare (CMS) announced three demonstration projects that aim to strengthen Medicare by eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse. Reductions in improper payments will help ensure the sustainability of the Medicare Trust Funds and protect beneficiaries who depend upon the Medicare program.

Study: Hospitals Overpay for Devices

Submitted Fri, 2012-02-03 13:58

Some hospitals pay thousands of dollars more than others for big-ticket medical devices such as defibrillators and hip replacements, and a portion of the higher costs could be passed on to the federal Medicare program, a new government report says.

Among 31 hospitals surveyed by investigators for the Government Accountability Office, one paid $8,723 more than another for an identical model of a device that regulates heart rhythm. The device, called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, typically costs the hospitals between $16,445 and $19,007.

Health law delivers $2.1 billion in savings on drugs for seniors

Submitted Fri, 2012-02-03 13:56

Reporting from Washington —

In the first full year of the new healthcare law, 3.6 million people in the government Medicare program saved $2.1 billion on prescription drugs in 2011, the Obama administration announced Thursday.

The savings are one of the first tangible benefits of the sweeping overhaul that the president signed in March 2010.

The law's biggest changes, including the guarantee that all Americans can get health coverage even if they have a preexisting condition, do not go into effect until 2014.

Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan

Submitted Fri, 2012-02-03 10:39

In March of 2010, Congress passed and President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act - the new health insurance law. The law creates a new program - Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) to make health insurance available if someone has been denied coverage by private insurance companies because of a pre-existing condition.

Health reform law saves $2.1 billion for 3.6 million Americans with Medicare

Submitted Fri, 2012-02-03 08:36

New data show average American with Medicare to save nearly $4,200 through 2021 thanks to health reform

Nearly 3.6 million people with Medicare saved $2.1 billion on their prescription drugs in 2011 thanks to the Affordable Care Act according to data issued today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Savings for people with Medicare will increase over time. According to a new report issued today from HHS, the average person with Medicare will save nearly $4,200 by 2021 because of the new law.

House votes to repeal CLASS Act

Submitted Thu, 2012-02-02 09:00

The House of Representatives voted to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, a long-term-care insurance provision of the 2010 healthcare reform law.

Critical Path Institute names Compton CEO

Submitted Wed, 2012-02-01 15:28

The Critical Path Institute, a Tucson, Ariz.-based not-for-profit organization that aims to speed the development of medicines, named Dr. Carolyn Compton as president and CEO.

Compton succeeds C-Path founder Dr. Raymond Woosley, who announced last year his plans to step down, according to a news release from the organization. Compton most recently was director of the National Cancer Institute's office of biorepositories and biospecimen research and executive director of the Cancer Human BioBank. She is board-certified in anatomic pathology and clinical pathology.

Lawmakers urged to spare hospitals in fixing SGR

Submitted Wed, 2012-02-01 15:17

Several hospital groups urged Congress to use savings from overseas operations as a way to solve Medicare's sustainable growth-rate formula for physicians—as long as those funds would provide for a full fix.

CLASS Act: Abandoned yet defended

Submitted Wed, 2012-02-01 10:47

The Obama administration has abandoned health reform’s long-term care insurance program, saying it can’t figure out how to make the program solvent and isn’t going to try.

And yet, it says it’s not interested in repealing the program for good. So when the House votes on Wednesday to wipe the CLASS Act off the books, the White House — and most Democrats — will be against it.

So why wouldn’t the Obama administration want to just get rid of it?

Military healthcare carrier hit with $10M fine

Submitted Wed, 2012-02-01 09:37

WASHINGTON – One of the Pentagon's major health care contractors, which is fighting to keep its multibillion-dollar contract, recently paid a $10 million fine to the federal government to settle a Justice Department suit over claims the company failed to pass on savings to the military.

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