Category: CMS

Hospitalized patients in the United States are increasingly placed on “observation status.” The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) state that observation should rarely exceed 48 hours. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130831/Research-roundup-Assessing-new-hospital-observation-rule3b-doctors-view-of-DNR-orders-for-kids.aspx

The federal government on Thursday issued rules on the federal benefits that gay Americans and their same-sex spouses can expect to receive. HHS said Medicare will allow all beneficiaries access to care in a nursing home where their spouse lives. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130831/Those-in-gay-marriages-set-to-receive-new-federal-benefits.aspx

Over past weeks, the Republicans had moved away from the kind of “grand bargain” sought by the president, which would have combined higher tax revenues with cuts to programs like Medicare. Republicans said the talks had yielded “no common ground.” From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130831/White-House-GOP-Senators-throw-in-the-towel-on-budget-talks.aspx

Thousands of American higher-education administrators will spend part of Labor Day weekend trying to plumb the meaning of the ideas President Obama dropped on them last week to “reform” the American college and university system. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130830/Viewpoints-Rove-says-job-losses-growing-under-health-law3b-GOP-strategists-say-health-overhaul-is-aiding-their-path-to-white-house3b-Mich-Senators-who-opposed-Medicaid-expansion-gave-themselves-lifetime-medical-benefits.aspx

Democratic leaders of the state Senate on Wednesday proposed an extra $200 million annually for rehabilitation, drug and mental health treatment as an alternative to Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan for reducing prison crowding (McGreevy, 8/28). Source: State highlights: Calif. dems propose alternative prison care plan; N.Y. extends managed care to cut Medicaid costs; Ga. Medicaid…

Physicians are divided on the hot-button issue of healthcare data transparency, according to a recent poll from the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE). Physicians are divided on the hot-button issue of healthcare data transparency, according to a recent poll from the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE). The ACPE surveyed 588 ACPE members, asking…

Payment incentives implemented with a commercial accountable care organization (ACO) initiative in Massachusetts -Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Alternative Quality Contract (AQC) – were associated with lower spending for Medicare enrollees served by the provider groups participating in the AQC, findings that suggest that evaluations of ACO programs may need to consider the implications for other…

The vote was a victory for Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who pushed for passage, bucking the sentiments of many in his party. It is now all but certain that nearly half a million residents will gain coverage when Michigan joins the list of states opting to expand the program under the federal health law. From:…

A recent research effort out of Massachusetts has determined that at least one accountable care organization (ACO) initiative was directly responsible for lower spending for Medicare patients. A recent research effort out of Massachusetts has determined that at least one accountable care organization (ACO) initiative was directly responsible for lower spending for Medicare patients. read…

Today’s headlines include reports about the vote by Michigan lawmakers to expand Medicaid. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130828/First-Edition-August-28-2013.aspx