Category: CMS
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Safety measures intended to improve bariatric surgery outcomes may impede obese minorities’ access to care
Safety measures intended to improve bariatric surgery outcomes may impede obese minorities’ access to care. This is according to a new research letter published online in the September 12 issue of JAMA which compares rates of bariatric (weight-loss) surgery for minority Medicare vs. non-Medicare patients before and after implementation of a Medicare coverage policy. From:…
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As marketplaces get ready for opening, several states still facing debates about Medicaid expansion
Pennsylvania and Ohio are among the states where the Medicaid question is still in play this year. Meanwhile, in Arizona, an effort to get a referendum to block the expansion fails and an advocacy group vows to bring a lawsuit to stop it. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130913/As-marketplaces-get-ready-for-opening-several-states-still-facing-debates-about-Medicaid-expansion.aspx
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Revised Medicaid sterilization policy supports minority women at risk for unintended pregnancies
A revised Medicaid sterilization policy that removes logistical barriers, including a mandatory 30-day waiting period, could potentially honor women’s reproductive decisions, reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and save $215 million in public health costs each year, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130913/Revised-Medicaid-sterilization-policy-supports-minority-women-at-risk-for-unintended-pregnancies.aspx
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Feds to PA.: Shift some kids on CHIP to Medicaid
Federal officials denied a request by Pennsylvania to keep more than 50,000 children on the state CHIP program and have instead instructed officials there to shift the kids’ coverage to Medicaid ahead of implementation of Obamacare. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130913/Feds-to-PA-Shift-some-kids-on-CHIP-to-Medicaid.aspx
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Telemedicine bill would allow docs to practice across state lines
Medicare providers would be able to treat patients electronically across state lines without having to obtain multiple state medical licenses, according to new legislation proposed in the House this week. read more From: http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/telemedicine-bill-would-allow-docs-practice-across-state-lines/2013-09-12?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
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New analysis finds ASCs provide billions of dollars to Medicare program and its beneficiaries
A new analysis by researchers at the prominent University of California-Berkeley Nicholas C. Petris Center on Health Care Markets and Consumer Welfare finds that ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) provide billions of dollars in savings to the Medicare program and its beneficiaries. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130912/New-analysis-finds-ASCs-provide-billions-of-dollars-to-Medicare-program-and-its-beneficiaries.aspx
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State highlights: S.F. suing Nevada over ‘dumped’ patients; feds push Pa. to move kids to Medicaid; Medicaid contractor’s lawsuit against La. goes forward
A selection of health policy stories from California, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Georgia and Oregon. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130912/State-highlights-SF-suing-Nevada-over-dumped-patients3b-feds-push-Pa-to-move-kids-to-Medicaid3b-Medicaid-contractors-lawsuit-against-La-goes-forward.aspx
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New Medicaid enrollees under health law more likely to be younger, healthier
States expanding Medicaid under Obamacare are likely to see more people who are healthier, thinner, white and male, according to a study in the Annals of Family Medicine. Another Health Affairs study finds the expansion could pay for health care for the chronically homeless, thereby saving money for states and local governments. Source: New Medicaid…
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Medicaid expansion continues to make political and policy waves in the Carolinas, Pennsylvania
While South Carolina works on its own “plan b” to pursue instead of the health law’s Medicaid expansion, a North Carolina hospital plans to close its doors. Its parent company blames the state’s decision against the expansion. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130910/Medicaid-expansion-continues-to-make-political-and-policy-waves-in-the-Carolinas-Pennsylvania.aspx
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Effort to fix doc’s Medicare pay formula gains momentum
A bill now pending in the House that has cleared the Energy and Commerce Committee would repeal the sustainable growth rate — SGR — formula and replace it with a more quality-based system. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130907/Effort-to-fix-docs-Medicare-pay-formula-gains-momentum.aspx