LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) has launched its Medication Therapy Management MTM program as required by the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and within the required timelines of The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service CMS for all Medicare Part D plan sponsors. Humana's program has been designed to...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IBD affects an estimated one million Americans. IBD patients often have difficulty digesting food. As a result, they may require parenteral nutrition intravenous feeding or enteral nutrition tube feeding, medically necessary food products to supplement their diets, and medications. The Research Review Act of 2004 directed GAO...
For years, Congress has wrestled with rising Medicare costs and improper payments for outpatient therapy services--physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 required GAO to report on whether available information justifies waiving the caps for particular conditions or diseases. As...
Numerous randomized controlled trials have shown that Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators ICDs reduce mortality from sudden cardiac death. Evidence-based medicine can elucidate the benefits of treatment and inform Medicare policy when applied in a consistent and nonselective manner. The use of cost-effectiveness data to determine Medicare coverage and therefore access to...
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 MMA revised the payment formula for most of the outpatient drugs, including inhalation therapy drugs, covered under Medicare part B. Medicare, also pays suppliers of inhalation therapy drugs a $5 per patient per month dispensing fee. The paper examines suppliers'...
Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities CORF is highly concentrated in Florida. These facilities, which provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology services, and other related services, have been promoted as lucrative business opportunities for investors. This report compares Medicare's outpatient therapy payments to CORFs in 2002 with its payments that year...
The white paper examines the effects of the new PPS on the level of rehabilitation therapy provided in SNFs. The percentage of residents of freestanding SNFs receiving extremely high levels of rehabilitation therapy dropped significantly, and the percentage receiving moderate levels increased. Freestanding SNFs, particularly for-profits, dramatically altered the services...
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The American Association for Homecare AAHomecare today commended the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMS and the Government Accountability Office GAO for recommending adjustments to the dispensiALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The American Association for Homecare AAHomecare today commended the...
ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Nearly three- quarters (72 percent) of the cost of providing home oxygen therapy to Medicare patients in their homes represent services, delivery, and other operational expenses that benefit patients, according ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Nearly three- quarters (72 percent) of...
DANBURY, Conn., July 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Organization for Rare Disorders NORD today hailed the introduction of the Medicare Patient Access to Drugs for Rare Diseases Act of 2003 (H.R. 2700). NORD urged Congress to either pass the legislatDANBURY, Conn., July 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Organization...
DANBURY, Conn., July 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Organization for Rare Disorders NORD today hailed the introduction of the Medicare Patient Access to Drugs for Rare Diseases Act of 2003 (H.R. 2700). NORD urged Congress to either pass the legislatDANBURY, Conn., July 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Organization...
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A group of 11 leading home oxygen therapy providers and manufacturers today announced the creation of an advocacy coalition called the Council for Quality Respiratory Care CQRC. The goal of the council: To work cloWASHINGTON, Aug. 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A group of...
Patients for whom the cost of drugs is a barrier to treatment for chronic conditions have a variety of optionsų from discount card plans tied to Medicare eligibility soon to be replaced by the Medicare Part D prescription program to drug-company-sponsored prescription assistance plans. Knowing the way these plans work...
DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/f392dd/the_portable_ethic) has announced the addition of the "The Portable Ethicist for Mental Health Professionals: A Complete Guide to Responsible Practice, with HIPAA Update, 2nd Edition" report to their offering. Everything professionals need to know to protect their practice against...
HOUSTON, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- SpectraCell Laboratories has added an innovative blood test called Lp-PLA2 (Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2) to its arsenal of advanced cardiovascular testing aimed at early detection of cardiovascular disease. The new test measures the amount of a specific enzyme in blood that...
Long-term care is the perfect hot-button issue for those who like to rail against government incompetence. It encompasses several mortal sins of ineptitude and bureaucracy: insensitivity, ineffective enforcement and poor stewardship of taxpayer dollars. But let's be honest. Government's approach...
Choose up to 5" more legroom with Economy Plus. Starting at $14.
Innovative USB Sleep'n Charge. Stylish Fusion™ finish. Ultra-portable. It's clear why the Satellite® U405 is a smart choice for you and your small business. Only from the laptop expert, Toshiba.
