Saturday Night Live does Medicare Part D. Click here to watch. (You will need Windows Media, Real Player or something similar to watch) (HT Healthy Blog) … [Read more...] about Get On The Drug Train!
GAO to Investigate Reprocessed Medical Devices
Certain medical devices companies have been "reprocessing" medical equipment designed for single use, claiming that there is no evidence that such devices are less safe than new ones. (Medical News Today) In our litigious society, it seems risky to wait for "evidence." Apparently, the use of reprocessed devices is fairly common. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will investigate. From the Washington Post (free registration): The GAO's investigation will build on a report issued … [Read more...] about GAO to Investigate Reprocessed Medical Devices
Medicare Drug Program Opinion Round-up
Medical News Today rounds up opinions from major newspapers on Medicare's new (and confusing) prescription drug program. A large part of the problem is government bureaucracy. From the Los Angeles Times (free registration): Pharmacists are having trouble finding out which plan people are enrolled in, forcing some to leave pharmacies empty-handed. The most desperate are showing up at emergency-room doors hoping to get the medication they were promised. Meanwhile, waits on help lines set … [Read more...] about Medicare Drug Program Opinion Round-up
Homecare Providers Say NO
Homecare providers are trying to stop the passage of a Senate budget bill that would mean "sweeping changes" in capped rental policy and freeze home health reimbursement for 2006, which they say will burden both patients and providers, according to Medical News Today. The House of Representatives passed its budget bill late last year, but it must vote again because the Senate bill has minor changes. The American Association for Homecare and other organizations are lobbying their … [Read more...] about Homecare Providers Say NO
CMS Hires Staff to Deal with Medicare Drug Program Confusion
Despite innumerable news stories, op-eds, and general negative reaction about the new drug program, CMS apparently didn't anticipate delays in filling prescriptions for Medicare beneficiaries. Some beneficiaries have had to pay for prescriptions themselves, and some pharmacies have "loaned" medication until CMS fixes the mess. Larry Kocot, an adviser to CMS Administrator Mark McClellan, said some of the problems were caused by the late December rush to enroll in the prescription drug … [Read more...] about CMS Hires Staff to Deal with Medicare Drug Program Confusion
61 Percent Say Individuals and Government Should Finance Long-Term Health Care
In a survey conducted by The Commonwealth Fund, a majority of respondents said individuals and government should share the responsibility of paying for long-term care, and 80 percent favor adding a long-term care benefit to Medicare. (via PNN Online) The Commonwealth Fund also found that patient surveys provide reliable information about physician quality, citing a Massachusetts research study in which patients were asked about their doctors. Researchers found "highly reliable and stable … [Read more...] about 61 Percent Say Individuals and Government Should Finance Long-Term Health Care
The 2005 CPR Guidelines And Treating Hyperkalemia
The nephrologist at KidneyNotes takes issue with some of the 2005 CPR guidelines for treating hyperkalemia. The good doctor says: Given a lack of standardization, it's not surprising that different doctors treat hyperkalemia in different ways. The new 2005 CPR guidelines from the American Heart Association provide recommendations for the treatment of hyperkalemia. Unfortunately, while these new guidelines are easy to follow, there are many potential problems, and I offer some … [Read more...] about The 2005 CPR Guidelines And Treating Hyperkalemia
New York Nursing Home Under Fire
New York's Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is ready to crack down on substandard nursing homes. According to Spitzer, the Jennifer Matthew Nursing and Rehabilitation Center neglected patients and denied them medication. From an editorial in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Hidden cameras helped reveal, Spitzer claims, that residents were routinely left lying in waste while staff napped, that medication was denied and that help call bells were put out of reach of patients. Spitzer … [Read more...] about New York Nursing Home Under Fire
Medicare Goes to Court
Medicare's controversial new prescription drug program has been taken to court. A federal district judge has ruled that federal courts have no authority to order the continuation of existing drug benefits to people with Medicare who are losing Medicaid drug coverage. Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center and one of the plaintiffs in the case, said the health and safety of the nation's oldest, poorest and frailest Americans "rests squarely with the Bush Administration." … [Read more...] about Medicare Goes to Court
Medicare Therapy Cap
The American Physical Therapy Association has announced that Medicare therapy services will be subject to two caps. Physical therapy and speech language pathology will have a combined cap of $1,740 and a separate cap for occupational therapy, all effective on January 1, 2006. Just as Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, doctors, and certain long term care providers have complained about Medicare's reportedly confusing new prescription drug program, physical therapists have issues with the new … [Read more...] about Medicare Therapy Cap