Category: Uncategorized

Medicare Hospice Program Vulnerable

The Medicare hospice program is valuable to beneficiaries at the end of life, but it’s also vulnerable to fraud and poor care, according to a recent report from HHS’ Office of Inspector General. The report examined vulnerabilities of the program and provided recommendations for combating them.

Read More »

Opioid Use Before Surgery Increases Risk of Poor Outcomes

Massachusetts currently leads the nation in decreasing opioids prescription, according to a Blue Cross Blue Shield report cited by The Boston Herald. Blue Cross Blue Shield’s survey illustrated 51 percent fewer opioid prescriptions written in Massachusetts  in 2017 than 2013; specifically, Bay State physicians wrote 193 opioids prescriptions per 1,000 Blue Cross-insured members. The national average is 394 per 1,000 members.

The study, published in Preventive Medicine, analyzed data from over 1,000 Americans. In a survey, the researchers queried respondents’ attitudes on needle exchanges, (where people can dispose of used syringes and get sterile ones), safe injection sites (where people can use drugs under medical supervision) and broader opinions on addiction.

Read More »
telehealth

The Most and Least Telehealth-Friendly States

A new survey exams the attitudes, perspectives, and plans of healthcare leadership that are shaping telemedicine’s application, value, and potential. The research explored telehealth services adoption rates and drivers, budgets and ROI, the technology’s role in delivering care, and the factors important to executives when selecting a solution for their organization.

Read More »
Medical necessity criteria are one of the backbones of great clinical decision making

Why Hospitals Should Pay More Attention to How Patients are Discharged

The AMA’s latest National Economic Impact of Physicians report provides data that can be used by key health care policymakers, legislators and thought leaders. It also demonstrates how physician practices both ensure the health and well-being of communities as well as support local economies and enable jobs, growth and prosperity.

Read More »