Medicine & Health articles from November 2007

Medicine & Health archives from November 2007

VA gets tongue-lashing for outdated physical therapist standards: more physical therapists are needed to serve aging and injured veterans, APTA says.(Therapy)
November 2, 2007... Veterans receiving physical therapy from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-employed therapists are due for an upgrade. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) announced Oct. 18 that the VA should update physical therapist...

A blood test could hold the key to predicting Alzheimer's disease: tests in this study proved 90 and 92 percent accurate.(Studies & Reports)
November 2, 2007... The headlines are abuzz about a simple blood test researchers have developed that could predict Alzheimer's Disease up to six years ahead of its onset. A collaboration of researchers with Satoris and several dementia centers in the U.S....

Seniors' access to care could suffer if DMEPOS suppliers are few: for bidders, new game may be 'wait-and-see.'.(Medical Equipment)
November 2, 2007... The feds remain mum about how many home medical equipment suppliers submitted bids in phase one of Medicare's competitive bidding program--but beneficiaries may be in for the biggest surprise. Though the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...

NCOA, RAPP grants target caregivers: groups announce 2008 proposal deadlines.(Funding)(National Council on Aging)(Relatives as Parents Program )
November 2, 2007... A couple of national organizations have their eye on helping families and caregivers of all ages. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) announced on Oct. 23 that for three years it will receive $980,000 annually from the U.S. Administration...

Home care to test and improve the coming payment structure: agencies see only upside in P4P demo.(Home Health)
November 2, 2007... Home care has one more reason to get serious about OASIS accuracy--the new pay for performance (P4P) demonstration. Under the prospective payment system (PPS) refinements hitting Jan. 1, OASIS accuracy will affect reimbursement more than...

Providers get a sneak peek at P4P: demonstration project may be a sign of things to come.(Pay For Performance)
November 2, 2007... Even if they're not in one of the seven states in the pay for performance (P4P) demonstration project, home health organizations will want to take a close look at the project's structure. That's because it could at [east partly mirror the...

ILC-USA debunks myths about medical costs for the elderly: 'heroic' medical treatments may be slanted toward the younger crowd.(Studies & Reports)
November 2, 2007... Almost every day there's news about the U.S.'s out-of-control medical costs--and guess who's usually to blame? The rapidly growing senior population is the common scapegoat, but the International Longevity Center-USA (ILC-USA) is out to prove...

Suppliers keep an eye on surety bonds final rule: industry wants major changes to the proposed bonding requirement.
November 2, 2007... A rule that would require home medical equipment suppliers to ante up for surety bonds should be significantly revised, say the American Association for Homecare and other stakeholders. The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register...

MRSA threat more common than previously thought: proper hygiene among health care providers a must.(Disease Control)
November 2, 2007... Patients could be coming home from hospitals and nursing homes with the virulent, drug-resistant bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. It's showing up in the community, and the infection may be twice as common as...

Medical house calls not a thing of the past: will the trend catch on?(Physicians)
November 2, 2007... The American Academy of Home Care Physicians (AAHCP) is alive and well--and out to prove that medical house calls are making a comeback. But physicians knocking on patients' doors need some extra support to make this trend worthwhile. A...

Physician receiving kickbacks lands in prison: durable medical equipment kickbacks are in the enforcement spotlight again.(Fraud)
November 2, 2007... A $21 million fraud scam landed Houston physician Jayshree Patel a 78-month prison sentence, says the U.S. Attorney's office. Prosecutors say Patel received kickbacks from DME companies. She and a colleague routinely approved wheelchairs for 30...

Tech-savvy patients become more informed: now may be the time to invest in a snappy new Web site.(Technology)
November 2, 2007... A growing number of people with chronic illnesses are going online to research their health problems, according to a recent study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. About 51 percent of people with a disability or chronic illness use...

New requirements for therapists to hit in 2010: therapists could qualify for grandfathering, thanks to CMS' change of heart.(Therapy)
November 9, 2007... In the physician payment final rule the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued Nov. 1, the agency addresses therapist requirements for numerous settings, including home care. The rule sets out new requirements for physical therapists...

Competitive bidding program's future could hinge on Congress' action: could subcommittee hearing kick start a campaign for change?(Competitive Bidding)
November 9, 2007... Small suppliers of home medical equipment could be looking at a reprieve from the pressures of Medicare's new competitive bidding program. On Oct. 31, members of the U.S. House Small Business Committee's Subcommittee on Investigations and...

New claims requirements warrant close watch: welcome reporting reprieve--but stay vigilant, experts warn.(Hospice)
November 9, 2007... The feds are giving hospice providers a little extra time to get up to speed on new claims reporting requirements--but not much else in the way of concessions. On Nov. 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that it would...

Beware new report on PMD pricing: feds compare apples to oranges, industry says.(Medical Equipment)
November 9, 2007... A study that sent federal researchers searching for power wheelchairs on the Web could lead the way to more reimbursement cuts. That's the concern of the Washington, DC-based Power Mobility Coalition and others representing...

Monitor post-acute reform with these key dates: time is running out to sign on.(Regulations)
November 9, 2007... The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has big plans for skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, inpatient rehab facilities and long-term care hospitals that could affect how rehab services in these settings are reimbursed....

Age discrimination alive and well, survey says: but seniors shouldn't take this mindset if they're job searching.(Employment)
November 9, 2007... Just at a time in history when older workers have decided to stick around the work three a little longer, age discrimination problems appear to be quite rampant in corporate America. So says a study recently conducted by career coaching company...

2 court cases could put brakes on bidding rule: lack of protection for small suppliers highlighted in upcoming Cleveland case.(Competitive Bidding)
November 9, 2007... Medical equipment suppliers, shouldn't miss the new developments in legal wrangling concerning Medicare's new competitive bidding program because their ability to bill Medicare could depend on their outcomes. Here are the latest happenings...

AMGA president Lauds EHR demonstration project: improved communication among patients and providers a bonus.(Electronic Records)
November 9, 2007... A federal push to encourage more physician practices to adopt electronic medical record systems got a stamp of approval from a leading medical trade group. While applauding the Medicare Electronic Health Record Demonstration Project, the...

OIG announces plans for 2008: HHA target reviews are coming.(NEWS)(office of Inspector General; department of health and human services)(Brief article)
November 9, 2007... The HHS Office of Inspector General recently released its 2008 work plan, and rehab services are clearly on the radar. As usual, the OIG will be targeting issues such as medical necessity and appropriateness of payments. The following are...

SCHIP gets the ax, major Medicare cut looms: can Congress prevent the looming 10 percent cut?(NEWS)
November 9, 2007... Rehab providers and advocates who were watching the controversial SCHIP legislation as it made its way through Congress this fall won't see this bill signed into law any time soon. And the chances of providers averting a 15 percent Medicare cut...

Home care providers jump in during CA crisis: meeting people's needs is a matter of reflex.(NEWS)
November 9, 2007... Home care providers have stepped up to the plate to help during the recent wildfires in Southern California. Apria Healthcare saw 20,000 of its patients displaced by the fires or facing extreme smoke conditions, reports the American Association...

Medicare MAC bonuses on tap for 2008: coverage for the nation expected for 2011.(NEWS)
November 9, 2007... Say goodbye to carriers in seven states and the District of Columbia. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has named two new Medical Administrative Contractors (MACs), which process both Part A and Part B claims. By Sept. 2008,...

Give your brain a boost with a quick audioconference: log on to audioeducator.com to see which Eli-sponsored audioconferences you need.(Education)(Calendar)
November 9, 2007... Brushing up on your business skills doesn't have to be time-consuming. Attend a short audioconference in your field from the comfort of your own office. Just log on to www.audioeducator.com and browse the different specialties. Some of the many...

Party toss-up could cost physicians: where will the cuts land?(NEWS)
November 9, 2007... Legislators continue to wrangle while steep cuts to physician payments get closer. Democrats want to bail physicians out from the cuts slated for both 2008 and 2009. But Senate Finance Committee ranking member Charles Grassley (R-IA) wants a...

CMS pushes emergency preparedness: requirements digression explained, questions answered.(NEWS)
November 9, 2007... Emergency preparedness is the topic of an Oct. 24 letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to state survey agency (SSA) directors. The missive, "Public Health Emergency Frequently Asked Questions--All Hazards," updates SSA...

2009 could bring a 15 percent decrease in physician reimbursement: docs get a little more breathing room on NPI requirements.(Reimbursement)
November 16, 2007... Congress continues to fight over the details of whether physicians can save their practices from a 10.1 percent pay cut. The Senate Finance Committee held a closed meeting Nov. 7 to discuss ways to avoid cutting physician payments....

Doomsday delayed for many common joint ventures: but physicians' imaging suites could be money losers.(Compliance)
November 16, 2007... Physicians don't have to rethink all of their joint ventures with hospitals and other physician groups--yet. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) had proposed sweeping changes to the Stark physician self-referral law in the...

Heart health roundup: a closer look at 2 treatment interventions: get the non-biased scoop on drug-coated stents, defibrillators.(Seniors)
November 16, 2007... Two recent developments in heart care will be of particular interest to seniors and their caregivers. One involves a reimbursement issue, but the other could mean the difference between life and death. 1. Drug-Coated Stents: Is There Really...

Prospective payment system refinements top HHAs' worry list: agencies in South, rural areas to see biggest PPS hit.(Home Care)
November 16, 2007... Home health agencies should take the coming prospective payment system (PPS) changes very seriously. That's according to the attendees of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice's (NAHC) annual meeting in Denver in October. Home...

Pharmacists should study up on 2008 immunization changes now: new year + new policy = more money.(Part D)
November 16, 2007... Community pharmacists are still fairly new to health care's immunization front, but don't let that hold you back from a new source of Part D reimbursement. Legislation signed by President Bush last December gives Medicare Part D the legal...

Physicians won't know their share of the $1.35 billion PQRI pie until the end: California doctors still out of luck with geographic adjusters.(PQRI)
November 16, 2007... Any physicians who stayed away from the Physicians Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) this year because it didn't have enough measures that applied to them may find 2008 could be their year to dive in. Next year's PQRI project will have...

Assisted-living care under scrutiny in upcoming study: relationships and interaction will be examined.(NEWS)
November 16, 2007... Physicians' care of residents in assisted living (AL) facilities will be the focus of a study by the Erickson School's Center for Aging Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). The 30-month, six-state study is being...

Take an educated break with a quick audioconference: log on to audioeducator.com to see the many different Eli-sponsored audioconferences.(Education)
November 16, 2007... Brushing up on your business skills doesn't have to be time-consuming. Attend a short audioconference in your field from the comfort of your own office. Just log on to www.audioeducator.com and browse the different specialties. Some of the many...

Physicians' claims made easier with NPI claim fields: CMS warns against denials with incorrect claims.(NPI)
November 16, 2007... Physicians will have one less thing to worry about when Jan. 1 hits. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has bumped back its requirement to include a National Provider Identifier (NPI) in all primary fields on the claim to March...

Tackling mental health practitioner shortage in underserved areas: practitioners don't like to fly solo.(Mental Health)
November 16, 2007... A recent Virginia legislative report citing lack of psychiatrists in many areas of the state mirrors a nationwide problem that will require multiple strategies to resolve. Where you find a shortage of psychiatrists, you'll likely find a...

Hospital payments top OIG's review targets for 2008: Part B drug reimbursement and medical supplies are also under scrutiny.(OIG)
November 30, 2007... The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) has recently released its Work Plan for fiscal year 2008--with hospital reimbursement and Part B claims leading the pack of items under review. The OIG will be targeting these and other review areas...

CMS sees payoff in push to reduce improper claims payments: drop from 14.2 to 3.9 percent error rate significant, says agency.(Reimbursement)
November 30, 2007... The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is making assertive efforts along with its contractors to correct errors in claims processing, billing and other related activities. The agency announced Nov. 16 that it has seen a...

Commission recommends health system reforms for the next president: 5 strategies presidential candidates should consider.(Studies & Reports)
November 30, 2007... The Commonwealth Fund's Commission on a High Performance Health System has recommended an ambitious agenda for the next president and Congress to improve the health care system thoroughly and productively. In a Nov. 15 report the...

U.S. ranks lowest in 7-country health care study: U.S. has the highest proportion of costs and the least-efficient care.(Studies & Reports)
November 30, 2007... A recently released survey reveals that the U.S. health care system is in dire need of a complete overhaul, when compared with health systems in six other countries. The Commonwealth Fund survey, analyzed by Fund Senior Vice President Cathy...

Caregivers tithing their incomes toward caregiving costs: will they have enough to support their own health care needs in the future?(Trends)
November 30, 2007... Ever wonder what it costs to be a caregiver? Obviously one's time is more occupied, but experts have assessed what caregivers are spending--and the financial burden is surprisingly substantial. The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and...

Pharmacists can give their business a booster with this plan: seek help from coalitions for quick start.(Pharmacy)
November 30, 2007... Pharmacists should take a new look at Part D's new immunization policy if they like the sound of this: a new stream of revenue combined with a chance to serve seniors more holistically. More than 90 percent of states now allow pharmacists...

HIV hospitalizations, deaths decrease from 1998 to 2005: drug therapy increase receives acclaim.(NEWS)
November 30, 2007... A study sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shows that HIV hospitalizations and the HIV death rate decreased significantly from 1998 to 2005. "Hospitalizations with a principal HIV diagnosis decreased by 21 percent...

Anthem BCBS introduces CDHPs: HRAs, HSAs and HIAs included in consumer-driven health products package.(NEWS)
November 30, 2007... Hoping to "change the way consumers think about health care" and stem the rising cost of care, Virginia's Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans to make a group of consumer-driven health products (CDHPs) available to businesses and...

Health care cost rate increases reach 9-year low: but analysts say that trend will end next year.(NEWS)
November 30, 2007... Employers are still spending more each year for managed care for their employees, but the rate of that increase has not remained steady. Health care rate increases reached 5.3 percent in 2007, down from 7.9 percent in 2006--making 2007 the...