See my Update for the Board's side of the story. Administrative Law Judge, Wendy Harvel, of the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings, personally presented her recommendation that a complaint against Texas Ob/gyn licensee Chris Kuhne MD be dismissed. The meeting was held on August 23 and 24th,2007, A complaint had been filed against Dr. Kuhne because he inadvertently overcharged a patient for medical records. He charged $81 rather than $39 by mistakenly using the guidelines for … [Read more...] about A Troubling Texas Medical Board Decision–Just My Opinion
Medicare News: Preventive Services Coverage, Conflict of Interest Referrals, Etc.
The Kaiser Network reports Medicare is spending more on preventive services and screenings, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS). This isn’t news, but it’s interesting to note that fewer than 10 percent of beneficiaries receive preventive screenings and immunizations recommended by health care professionals. In other Medicare news, CMS has issued a final rule that prohibit doctors from conflict-of-interest referrals. They can longer refer patients for services … [Read more...] about Medicare News: Preventive Services Coverage, Conflict of Interest Referrals, Etc.
Think Tank Strives to Reduce Medication Errors
Another Washington-based think tank has cropped up. According to the Kaiser Network, a group of doctors, pharmacies, health insurers and others have formed an organization to help reduce medication errors. The new organization will dedicate itself to promoting "best practices for the use of electronic prescribing technology that links physicians, pharmacists and patients.†"Because medication nonadherence is estimated to account for between 10% to 20% of hospital admissions and adds up … [Read more...] about Think Tank Strives to Reduce Medication Errors
Drug Companies’ Gift Giving Under Scrutiny
CMS Publishes Physician-Related Updates
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided incentives for physicians to report quality data. As the process may be too expensive for smaller practices, CMS implemented a three-year pilot program that will pay 800 small- or medium-sized practices in Arkansas, California, Massachusetts, and Utah to report quality care data for Medicare patients with chronic conditions. I blogged about this program last year, though it may not be the same one discussed in this press … [Read more...] about CMS Publishes Physician-Related Updates
DOL Announces Grants for Long Term Care Industry
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it will spend more than $43 million dealing with shortages in the health care industry, including long term care. (Source) On several occasions, I’ve blogged about the shortage of nurses and geriatric physicians. As baby boomers retire and age, many will need long term care, which will put pressure on an industry already faced with worker shortages. Ironically, baby boomer retirement is linked to shortages among long term caregivers. DOL and … [Read more...] about DOL Announces Grants for Long Term Care Industry
MedPAC Seeks Medicare Reimbursement Increase
Although President George Bush reversed a proposed cut to physicians’ Medicare reimbursements late last year, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) will lobby Congress to increase reimbursements by about 1.7 percent in 2008. (Source) Reimbursement will be decreased by 10 percent under the present payment system, according to MedPAC, and it will urge Congress to act now. MedPAC will also recommend that Congress freeze 2008 reimbursement increases for long term care facilities … [Read more...] about MedPAC Seeks Medicare Reimbursement Increase
Bush Reverses Medicare Reimbursement Cut
President George W. Bush saved the day for physicians who receive Medicare reimbursements. Last week, he signed legislation that will reverse a 5.1 percent reduction in Medicare reimbursements. Current reimbursements rates will be maintained, and physicians who report quality-of-care data will see a reimbursement increase of 1.5 percent. (Medical News Today) Last month I told you that Congress passed the bill. President Bush signed it into law and reportedly said, “This is a good piece of … [Read more...] about Bush Reverses Medicare Reimbursement Cut
Physicians Medicare Reimbursement Reduction Reversed
Physicians receiving Medicare reimbursements will get a reprieve. Before adjourning last week, Congress passed a bill that will reverse a 5.1 percent reduction in reimbursement. (Kaiser Network) Reimbursement rates will remain at their current levels, and physicians who report quality-of-care data will get a 1.5 percent increase. Back in September, one lawmaker, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Bill Thomas, offered to block the reduction if the American Medical Association (AMA) and other … [Read more...] about Physicians Medicare Reimbursement Reduction Reversed
Medicare News Roundup
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has made a series of announcements about Medicare: 1. Payment rates for home health services will increase by 3.3 percent for 2007. The acting administrator for CMS said this increase will “reward home health agencies who continue to report quality data and also provides beneficiaries with access to more affordable oxygen equipment.†(Source) 2. CMS also announced a final rule for Medicare payments for hospital outpatient services … [Read more...] about Medicare News Roundup