MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'cost,'. Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:53:40 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3767344&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FvpBMqlLU4XE%2Fhow-to-become-pregnant-after-tubal-ligation.html How to become pregnant after tubal ligation? Tubal ligation reversal offers an easy and affordable option to in vitro fertilization and also allows many chances over time to have a natural pregnancy without the need for expensive medical treatments and services. Many couples will have greater chances of becoming pregnant with tubal reversal than will those who have IVF treatment. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3767344 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:26:39 +0100 3767344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3757847&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEg8ON4hme60%2F By Michael F. CannonThe Obama administration announced yesterday its plans for implementing ObamaCare’s mandate that consumers purchase first-dollar coverage for preventive services.  The press release reads (emphasis added): Administration Announces Regulations Requiring New Health Insurance Plans to Provide Free Preventive Care Of course the administration would emphasize that consumers will pay nothing for these services at the moment of service, and elide the fact that this mandate will increase their health insurance premiums. The administration’s use of the word “free” is what we call spin. What’s surprising–and more than a little disappointing–is that journalists and headline writers at major media organizations would repeat the administrat... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3757847 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:41:30 +0100 3757847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3753759&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F14%2Finvolving-users-in-commissioning-local-services%2F Title: Involving users in commissioning local services Skinny: Study by Age Concern London brought commissioners and diverse service users together to discuss how service users can be involved in shaping local services. The project reflected on what is actually happening and provided pointers to how user involvement in commissioning could work in practice. Publisher: Joseph Rowntree Foundation Size of Publication: 58p Published: 18/05/2010 Filed under: Community Services, Grey Literature, Practice Based Commissioning Tagged: Best Practice, Commisioning, Cost Effectiveness, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Service Users, Social Care, World Class Commissioning (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3753759 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:41:52 +0100 3753759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3726597&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-new-us-healthcare-bill-whos-paying-for-it%2F2010.07.05 Ever wondered who’s paying for the U.S. healthcare bill? My new favorite blog just published an infographic describing this issue in detail (click on the image for the original larger version): *This blog post was originally published at ScienceRoll* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3726597 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:00:36 +0100 3726597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3710681&cid=t_375917_123_f&fid=39036&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpediatricinc.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F29%2Fhow-do-you-allocate-your-vaccine-cost%2F Recently, I was asked what was the best method for allocating the cost of vaccines in a practice. As with most things in the private practice world, vaccine cost allocation is difficult to asses because there is not a clear way of doing it. Every practice has their own way mainly because each practice has different dynamics. Net revenue distribution For example, in our practice, we do the vaccine cost allocation by net revenue distribution. In other words, if one physician brings in 40% of the revenue, then the physician is allocated 40% of the cost of the vaccine. To me, this method is the least cumbersome of all. However, I am aware this method isn’t the best because it doesn’t account for how many vaccines a physician actually used. If there were a physician that does more hospital ... Pediatric Inc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3710681 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:00:34 +0100 3710681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695549&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FH5Fkbi6uNpI%2F By Michael F. CannonAn Obama administration “fact sheet,” released alongside the interim final rules for several of ObamaCare’s cost-increasing mandates, claims those mandates will reduce the “hidden tax” imposed by uncompensated care: By making sure insurance covers people who are most at risk, there will be less uncompensated care and the amount of cost shifting among those who have coverage today will be reduced by up to $1 billion in 2013. According to research by the Urban Institute, that “hidden tax” isn’t very large: Private insurance premiums are at most 1.7 percent higher because of the shifting of the costs of the uninsured to private insurers in the form of higher charges. As the Congressional Budget Office repeatedly lectures Congress, “Uncompensat... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695549 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:00:41 +0100 3695549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3691133&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2F6tjETqm4ncQ%2Fhow-to-conceive-after-tubal-ligation.html The tubal surgery experts at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center explain the three ways to conceive after tubal ligation. The three ways are explained in an easy to understand, simple, and straightforward fashion. Women reading this article will gain clear insight on how to become pregnant after their tubes have been tied. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3691133 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:05:24 +0100 3691133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662983&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FyL8CRHByPN4%2Ftubal-ligation-reversal-planning-on-having-tubes-untied.html Lauren continues her story of love, family, tubal ligation, and quest for reversal of her tied tubes. Readers are encouraged to follow along as Lauren traces her steps to Dr. Berger and the hope of restored fertility through tubal ligation reversal surgery. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662983 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:17:22 +0100 3662983 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662674&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Funnecessary-tests-and-treatments-responsible-reporting-can-help%2F2010.06.14 Just when I’ve lost hope that mainstream media will stop perpetuating the myth the more medicine equals better care, the Associated Press came up with this excellent piece. The article states, rightly, that “anywhere from one-fifth to nearly one-third of the tests and treatments we get are estimated to be unnecessary,” and that, “it may lead to dangerous side effects.” Regular readers of this blog should be familiar with those concepts. I wrote recently that patients often reject evidence-based medicine. One reason is that there aren’t enough clinical guidelines available for patients to make an informed decision. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662674 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:00:37 +0100 3662674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3655582&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D537 Another private cord blood bank is offering something called “Afford-A-Cord” and the company is pitching it as unique to their particular cord blood collection, processing and storage system.  We thought it was important to bring two issues to the fore as you evaluate your choices in private cord blood banking: 1- This program is based on a third party credit provider, GE Capital, a large finance company and is marketed under the name Care Credit. Several other private cord blood banks, including MAZE, offer this type of financing. 2- If you opt for the Afford-A-Cord plan publicized in the news, the upfront is indeed very low; however, the total cost at the end of your storage period is $6914.  That compares with MAZE’s total cost of $2010 for processing and free 20 yea... Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3655582 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:41:36 +0100 3655582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3625501&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-much-is-a-primary-care-visit-worth-to-you%2F2010.06.02 How much is a primary care appointment worth? Not much, it appears. Physicians in California decided to embark on an innovative idea, asking patients to simply pay them what they thought the visit was worth. Here’s how it worked: On the day of the events, no insurance was accepted. Care was provided only to the uninsured, who were asked to pay what they could afford. Laboratory tests were provided at cost, and patients who needed additional services were referred to various public resources. Practices also handed out lists of generic medications available for reduced prices at large, discount pharmacies. Physicians who accept Medicare are not allowed to include Medicare beneficiaries in any pay-what-you-can program. Although patients did value the visit, they grossly underestimated its c... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3625501 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:00:11 +0100 3625501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607462&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2F27%2Fthe-checks-almost-in-the-mail%2F As Americans start to understand the concrete benefits contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), public attitudes about the new law will become more favorable. That at least is what the Obama administration is counting on. The administration has worked to quickly begin some of those benefits – such as a ban on unjustified coverage rescissions and continued coverage of young adults under their parents’ policies – and today Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius continued that pattern: She announced that the first $250 rebate checks for seniors who fall into the Medicare drug benefit coverage gap know as the “doughnut hole” will go out on June 10, ahead of expectations. The rebate checks are a down payment on the eventual elimi... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607462 Fri, 28 May 2010 00:52:09 +0100 3607462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3599336&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2F26%2Fsherry-glied-on-mental-health-and-mandates%2F The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to vote today on the nomination of Sherry Glied to be the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services. The President nominated Glied, a professor and chair of the department of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, on May 21, 2009. Glied served as a senior economist for healthcare and labor market policy to the President’s Council of Economic Advisers under both President George H.W. Bush and President Clinton. She was a participant in President Clinton’s Health Care Task Force and headed working groups on global budgets and the economic impacts of Clinton’s reform plan. The Well-Being Of People With Mental Illness. Glied coauthored ... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3599336 Wed, 26 May 2010 14:20:05 +0100 3599336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3592210&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwill-large-employers-dump-healthcare-coverage%2F2010.05.24 Fortune magazine has made some news recently about the impact of healthcare reform on large employers: Internal documents recently reviewed by Fortune, originally requested by Congress, show what the bill’s critics predicted, and what its champions dreaded: many large companies are examining a course that was heretofore unthinkable, dumping the healthcare coverage they provide to their workers in exchange for paying penalty fees to the government. The only trouble? There’s no way these employers are seriously thinking about doing this. I can understand why the employers would do the math. According to healthcare reform law, penalties for failing to provide health coverage are a small fraction of the cost of that coverage. But as with most everything else in healthcare, there’s muc... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3592210 Mon, 24 May 2010 12:00:30 +0100 3592210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581551&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F20%2Forganising-quality-and-effective-spinal-services-for-patients-a-report-for-local-health-communities-by-the-spinal-taskforce%2F Title: Organising quality and effective spinal services for patients: a report for local health communities by the Spinal Taskforce Skinny: Report  intended to assist the NHS in developing and delivering effective spinal services, creating a set of productive services that deliver quality, timely and clinically appropriate care that meets patients’ needs and expectations. It looks at the effective organisation of spinal services for a wide population to support those planning and commissioning services across an SHA, PCTs and clinical and managerial teams within provider units. The document describes the main types of patients being referred for spinal treatment and advises on how to organise services to meet the needs of these groups, paying particular attention to quality, clinical ou... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581551 Thu, 20 May 2010 04:32:13 +0100 3581551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3569803&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-transparent-healthcare-system-whats-more-clear%2F2010.05.17 Congressional democrats want more transparency in healthcare, believing it would further drive down the cost of care, reports Politico. Hoping to drive competition, some lawmakers are grumbling to force doctors to reveal business negotiations between them and drug and device makers. Opponents worry that manipulating economics would backfire. If everyone knows their competitor’s business, why bother negotiating lower prices? But transparency worked for Wisconsin’s hospitals, not in business dealings but in reporting outcomes, reports The Fiscal Times. By voluntarily revealing clinical outcomes on the Web, the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality was able to spur low-performing hospitals to improve, high-performing facilities to eliminate tests that didn’t improve... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3569803 Mon, 17 May 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3569803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3549308&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoes-group-health%25e2%2580%2599s-medical-home-leave-the-poor-behind%2F2010.05.10 Group Health has published two papers recently, one in Health Affairs and the other in JAMA, both extolling the virtues of its Medical Home. These follow their brief report last fall in the NEJM and the lengthy description of their model in the American Journal of Managed Care. Their model has been promoted by the Commonwealth Fund, and it is cited in the currrent issue of Lancet. The big news is that costs were a full 2% lower than conventional care, hardly a great success –- it wasn’t even statistically significant. But was even this small difference due to the Medical Home, or was it because the Medical Home patients were less likely to consume care? (more…) *This blog post was originally published at PHYSICIANS and HEALTH CARE REFORM Commentaries and Controversies*... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3549308 Mon, 10 May 2010 12:00:57 +0100 3549308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3545537&cid=t_375917_123_f&fid=39036&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpediatricinc.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F08%2Fpediatric-practice-management-conference%2F Discussion How to get Government Funding for EHR How to be Successful in a Tough Economy Top Ten Legal Issues Practices Need to Know Negotiating in the New World of Managed Care Coding 2010: Modifying, Documenting, and Getting Paid Coding Tips and Billing Strategies For Getting Paid What You Deserve The Silents, Boomers, GenXers and GenYers: Managing the Generations and more! To check out the course schedule, click on this link For more information about the conference check out this link I attended last year’s conference and it was completely worth it. What I loved most about the conference, is that it is pediatric specific. There is a big difference in a conference that focuses on multiple medical specialties (like the MGMA for example), and a conference that makes pediatric practic... Pediatric Inc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3545537 Sat, 08 May 2010 15:00:15 +0100 3545537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533840&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-much-does-a-heart-attack-cost%2F2010.05.04 How much would a heart attack cost you? Quite a bit, according to CBS MoneyWatch.com: According to an article from the National Business Group on Health, the average total [editor's note: lifetime] cost of a severe heart attack -– including direct and indirect costs -– is about $1 million. Direct [lifetime] costs include charges for hospitals, doctors and prescription drugs, while indirect costs include lost productivity and time away from work. The average [lifetime] cost of a less-severe heart attack is about $760,000. Amortized over 20 years, that’s $50,000 per year for a severe heart attack and $38,000 per year for a less-severe heart attack. I’m all for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but before we get all hot and bothered about performing more testing to “prevent&#... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533840 Tue, 04 May 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3533840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494294&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FXK8hOYawhTw%2F By Jim HarperSince they were announced recently, I’ve been working to make sense of new security procedures that TSA is applying to flights coming into the U.S. “These new measures utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence along with multiple, random layers of security, both seen and unseen, to more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats,” says Secretary Napolitano. That reveals essentially nothing of what they are, of course. Indeed, “For security reasons, the specific details of the directives are not public.” But we in the public aren’t so many potted plants. We need to know what they are, both because our freedoms are at stake and because our tax money will be spent on these measures. Let’s start at the beginning, with identity-based scr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494294 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:45:06 +0100 3494294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3453866&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F04%2F08%2Fmedicare-part-d-drug-pricing%2F Last month, Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced a bill (H.R. 4752) to overturn the 2003 ban on government-led price negotiations for Medicare Part D drug plans.  The bill has 67 co-sponsors so far.  While perhaps well intentioned, this bill will do little to reduce Part D drug prices. Giving the government the power to negotiate drug prices can work only if we have credible alternatives to the drug on the table.  Plans need: (1) generics or similar drugs in the therapeutic class; and (2) formulary flexibility to drive market share in exchange for price concessions. First, many complex specialty drugs are biological and don’t have generic equivalents.  Proposals debated in this Congress would establish a regulatory pathway for bio-similars, but the current language mandates a long excl... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3453866 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:55:04 +0100 3453866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3411070&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fhospitals-under-knife-sacrificing.html A WSJ article on the financial condition of NY hospitals, and specifically a line by NY Mayor Bloomberg, caught my eye:Wall Street JournalMar. 26, 2010Hospitals Under the KnifeNew York City System Aims to Cut 2,600 More Jobs as State Funding DropsBy MICHAEL HOWARD SAUL and SUZANNE SATALINENEW YORK—The nation's largest public hospital system plans to slash its work force—including doctors and nurses—by about 10% over two years as government aid drops and the number of uninsured patients jumps.With its budget deficit set to top $1 billion, New York City's Health and Hospitals Corp. plans to eliminate 2,600 jobs in the fiscal year that begins July 1. That comes on top of 1,300 positions to be eliminated this year."No hospital system in the country is exempt from the crushing economics f... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3411070 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:06:00 +0100 3411070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408526&cid=t_375917_123_f&fid=39036&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpediatricinc.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F25%2Fcost-price-margins-options-in-a-medical-practice%2F I came across a blog post written by Zane Safrit titled the Four Simple Lessons About Pricing. The post summarizes Zane’s interview with Todd Sattersten, author of Four Simple Lessons About Cost, Price, Margin and The Options Available to The 21st Century Business. If you are in business, you should be aware of these four things the post says: Cost are always down Price is a signal Margin is when you connect price and cost together You have options You can check out Todd’s ‘free’ e-book by clicking here where he goes into each of these points in depth. It is a good, insightful read if you are in to business, entrepreneurship and things like that. For a summary, check out Zane’s post here. I was intrigued by the four simple lessons but wasn’t clear how it would apply to ... Pediatric Inc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408526 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:17:47 +0100 3408526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358963&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FcTe5RcfvNgw%2F By Michael F. CannonEzra Klein quotes the Congressional Budget Office’s latest cost estimate of the Senate health care bill when he writes: “CBO expects that the legislation would generate a reduction in the federal budgetary commitment to health care during the decade following 2019,” which is to say that this bill will cover 30 million people but the cost controls will, within a decade or so, leave us spending less on health care than if we’d done nothing.  That’s a pretty good deal. But it’s not a very well-understood deal. Indeed, because that’s not what the CBO said. First, the CBO said the “federal budgetary commitment to health care” would rise by $210 billion between 2010 and 2019 under the Senate bill.  Then, after 2019, it w... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358963 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:53:40 +0100 3358963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354250&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F11%2Ftackling-problem-drug-use%2F Title: Tackling problem drug use (Executive Summary) Skinny: National Audit Office report that identifies good progress in a number of areas, including an increasing number of problem drug users in effective treatment and an increasing number leaving treatment free from dependency. Without an evaluative framework for the Strategy as a whole, the NAO is not able to conclude positively on value for money. Nevertheless, the NAO note that the Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS) has estimated the benefit-cost ratio for drug treatment, the largest element of spending, at 2.5 to 1 and that the programme has delivered some significant successes. There are an estimated third of a million problem drug users in England. As part of an increased emphasis on drug treatment, funding rose from ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354250 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:32:50 +0100 3354250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354422&cid=t_375917_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F03%2F10%2Ffeel-better-how-to-find-a-treatment-that-works%2F Traditional Chinese Medicine of Bamboo Cupping (photo by johey24) . Fall seven times, stand up eight. – Japanese proverb You’ve received a diagnosis. A mix of emotions sets in – relief, panic, confusion. What do you do next? The menu of treatment options can seem overwhelming. . Here are 3 simple principles to get you started: 1. Ask your doctor. Chances are your doctor has a good handle on your history, the context of your condition, any other prescriptions or supplements you are taking that can interact, etc. See what her recommendation is, then do your homework looking it up online. Wikipedia and PubMed are good places to go for reliable information. . 2. See what the crowd has to say. Have a look at the stats at CureTogether as another piece of information that can h... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354422 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:48:20 +0100 3354422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3342735&cid=t_375917_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F03%2F08%2Fhow-to-choose-the-right-test%2F Say “Aaaahh!” (Photo credit: superfantastic) “First the doctor told me the good news: I was going to have a disease named after me.” - Steve Martin . Say you’ve decided to go ahead and get a diagnostic test done to have a more definite answer on whether you have a condition like depression. Now what? Where do you start? First off, here are some general factors to consider in choosing a test: . 1. Informativeness is basically how good the test is at telling you something useful. How informative a test is comes from both its sensitivity (how likely the test is to diagnose you as positive if you do have a condition, or avoiding false negatives) and specificity (how likely the test is to not diagnose you if you don’t have it, or avoiding false positives). The ultimate test... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3342735 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:13:20 +0100 3342735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331275&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fu3lFBBg7i2M%2F By Chris Edwards1. Additional federal spending transfers resources from the more productive private sector to the less productive public sector of the economy. The bulk of federal spending goes toward subsidies and benefit payments, which generally do not enhance economic productivity. With lower productivity, average American incomes will fall. 2. As federal spending rises, it creates pressure to raise taxes now and in the future. Higher taxes reduce incentives for productive activities such as working, saving, investing, and starting businesses. Higher taxes also increase incentives to engage in unproductive activities such as tax avoidance. 3. Much federal spending is wasteful and many federal programs are mismanaged. Cost overruns, fraud and abuse, and other bureaucratic failures are e... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331275 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:34:12 +0100 3331275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3275787&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D402 The State of Arizona has a nice brochure available as a pdf file that you can print or just read.  It also references our favorite not-for-profit organization in the study and discussion of cord blood banking, http://parentsguidecordblood.org/ Here’s the link to the brochure if you think it might help someone learn more about cord blood banking: http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/owch/pdf/cord/umbilical_crd_proof.pdf (Source: Cord Blood News) Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3275787 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:52:13 +0100 3275787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3246856&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F06%2Fheart-2009-vol-96-no-3%2F Heart 2010 (Vol. 96 No. 3) Contents page Fade Fave: Comparison of mass and targeted screening strategies for cardiovascular risk: simulation of the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and coverage using a cross-sectional survey of 3921 people Fade Skinny: Suggests that cardiovascular primary prevention should be targeted at those with the highest global risk. This studies aim was to compare mass and targeted screening strategies in terms of effectiveness, cost effectiveness and coverage. It finds targeted screening strategies are less costly than mass screening, and can identify up to 84% of high-risk individuals. Additional resources required for mass screening may not be justified. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Filed under: Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-J... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3246856 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:12:42 +0100 3246856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243763&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2F05%2Fha-blog-top-10-for-january-reform-and-beyond%2F Here in DC we’re bracing for the storm of the century — snow storm, that is.  What better time to catch up on some health policy reading? We list here the top 10 most-read posts from January on Health Affairs Blog. Topics cover health reform, health care costs, the mammography guidelines controversy, and more. And don’t forget the Top 20 most-read Health Affairs articles from 2009. They’re still free access for one more week. Here’s the list from Health Affairs Blog for January: Health Care Reform: State Winners And Losers by Claudia Schur and Marc Berk Would Reform Bills Control Costs? A Response To Atul Gawande by Alain C. Enthoven An Inconvenient Truth: The Health Care Cost Curve Is Already Bent by Jeff Goldsmith The Grandparents Corps: A New Primary Care... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243763 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:26:10 +0100 3243763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3182169&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FleTUXXseucI%2F By Michael F. CannonEven if Democrat Martha Coakley wins 50 percent of the vote in the race to fill the late Sen. Ted Kennedy’s (ahem) term, there are other numbers emanating from Massachusetts that present a problem for President Obama’s health plan. On Wednesday, the Cato Institute will release “The Massachusetts Health Plan: Much Pain, Little Gain,” authored by Cato adjunct scholar Aaron Yelowitz and yours truly. Our study evaluates Massachusetts’ 2006 health law, which bears a “remarkable resemblance” to the president’s plan. We use the same methodology as previous work by the Urban Institute, but ours is the first study to evaluate the effects of the Massachusetts law using Current Population Survey data for 2008 (i.e., from the 2009 March suppl... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3182169 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:12:07 +0100 3182169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3163747&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F01%2F11%2Fhealth-affairs-blog-top-10-in-2009%2F We offer readers the annual “top 10″ list of most-read posts from Health Affairs Blog. Health reform topped the list in 2009. If you missed any of these posts, here’s your chance to catch up on your reading. Propaganda And Prejudice Distort The Health Reform Debate by Merton Bernstein Nurse Shortage Eases Under Recession by Jane Hiebert-White The Policy Lessons Of Health Care Cost Variations: A Roundtable With Bob Berenson, Elliott Fisher, Bob Galvin, And Gail Wilensky by John Iglehart and Chris Fleming Indiana: Health Care Reform Amidst Colliding Values by Mitchell Roob and Seema Verma The Revised Senate Health Reform Bill: Cost Control And Other Aspects by Timothy Jost The Grandparents Corps: A New Primary Care Model by Arthur Garson A Modest Proposal On Payment Reform... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3163747 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:55:39 +0100 3163747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149031&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSYyEpIbHak0%2F By David BoazTwo items in Tuesday’s newspapers remind us of the often unseen costs of regulation and also of the often unseen benefits of market processes. In the Wall Street Journal, Prof. Todd Zywicki examines the likely consequences of a law to limit credit card interest rates and the fees they charge to merchants: Card issuers might also reduce the quantity and quality of credit cards by restricting credit availability and cutting back on product innovation or ancillary card benefits. This is exactly what happened when Australian regulators imposed price controls on interchange fees in 2003: Annual fees increased an average of 22% on standard credit cards and annual fees for rewards cards increased by 47%-77%. Card issuers also reduced the generosity of their reward programs by 2... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149031 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:39:04 +0100 3149031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124512&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F28%2Fjan-5-briefing-on-long-term-services-and-supports%2F The January 2010 edition of Health Affairs focuses on long-term services and supports and the challenges of ensuring affordable, high-quality care to people with disabilities, including many of the nation’s aged. The journal has invited key lawmakers and leading experts in aging and health policy to discuss the policies and new approaches needed to address these challenges at a January 5th Health Affairs briefing. WHEN: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2010 WHERE: National Press Club [Metro Center] The Ballroom 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor Washington, DC 20045 RSVP for this event online. Health Affairs will offer live updates from the event on Twitter at #HA_LTC. Among the topics to be addressed: Will Congress adopt the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124512 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:38:14 +0100 3124512 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100777&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F4mhO-j_eh9Y%2F By Michael F. CannonThe Hill’s Congress Blog asks, “Will the Senate pass a health care reform bill before it adjourns for the year?” I answer: It’s not looking good – nor should it. The Reid bill becomes less popular with each passing day.  (So too does President Obama’s handling of health care.) CBS News is reporting that Reid wants to hold a vote before Christmas because he doesn’t want senators to go home and hear from their constituents. Reid has been systematically suppressing a complete cost estimate of his bill. Reid’s manager’s amendment will make unknown, countless, and dramatic changes to that 2,074-page bill – and Reid wants to vote on it before anyone knows what those changes are. Even Max Baucus admits that not a single senator understands the ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100777 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:01:47 +0100 3100777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092674&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FKJKti0Mgo5Q%2F By Michael F. CannonOn Day #179 of the ObamaCare Cost Estimate Watch, Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) wrote in The Winchester Star of his involvement in the Senate health care debate: At the start of this debate I was one of eight senators who called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to post the text and complete budget scores of the health-care bill on a public web site for review at least 72 hours prior to both the first vote and final passage. This request was agreed to, affording proper transparency in the process. On the contrary, as I explain in this Richmond Times-Dispatch oped, Reid did not comply with Webb’s request. Indeed, a memo recently issued by the Congressional Budget Office suggests that Reid has been working very hard to conceal the legislation’s full cost all along.... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092674 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:43:35 +0100 3092674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089214&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fbritish-journal-of-healthcare-management-2009-volume-15-issue-12%2F Contents Page Fade Fave: Productive, efficient cost savings Fade Skinny: Professor John Appleby, chief economist of the King’s Fund, discusses productively efficient cash-releasing cost minimising savings, or the jargon that no-one understands. (Print copy held at the Fade Library) Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Cost Effectiveness, Current Awareness, Health Economics, Jargon, Journals (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089214 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:30:30 +0100 3089214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089225&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Fgmc-affiliates-pilots-final-report-of-the-kpmg-evaluation%2F Title: GMC affiliates pilots: final report of the KPMG evaluation Skinny: Independent evaluation of two pilots introducing a system of GMC Affiliates aimed at closing the regulatory gap between local workplace management of doctors and national professional regulation. The purpose of this evaluation is to produce feedback and provide an assessment of the feasibility, potential benefits, costs and wider impacts of the introduction of GMC Affiliates at a national level. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 63p. Published: 30/11/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Ethics, Grey Literature, NHS, Primary Care, Quality Tagged: Clinical Governance, Cost Effectiveness, Ethics, Grey Literature, Professional Discipline, Regulation (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089225 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:00:37 +0100 3089225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089227&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Fnhs-2010-2015-from-good-to-great-preventative-people-centred-productive%2F Title: NHS 2010 – 2015: from good to great: preventative,people-centred,productive Skinny: Five-year plan to reshape the NHS to meet the challenge of delivering high quality health care in a tough financial environment. The report describes practical measures to meet the demands of an aging population and the increased prevalence of lifestyle diseases. The vision is for an NHS that is organised around patients whether at home, in a community setting or in hospital. There will be a renewed focus on prevention with the ambition of delivering cost-effective high quality care across the service Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 64p. Published: 10/12/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Economics, Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS, Pr... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089227 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:00:45 +0100 3089227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084714&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Fbirth-and-beyond-a-review-of-the-evidence-about-antenatal-education%2F Title: Birth and beyond: a review of the evidence about antenatal education Skinny: Synthesises published evidence concerning the cost and effectiveness of antenatal education, alongside evidence about stakeholder perspectives. Publisher: DH Size of Publication:65p. Published: 08/12/2009 Posted in Antenatal Care, Grey Literature, Midwifery, Obstetrics Tagged: Antenatal Education, Cost Effectiveness, Evidence Based Practice, Grey Literature, Midwifery, Obstetrics, Stakeholder Engagement (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084714 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:00:32 +0100 3084714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063254&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fs5FTtAEJp-Y%2F The following post by Glenna Crooks, PhD, founder and President of Strategic Health Policy International, Inc, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Glenna Crooks solves some of the toughest health care problems of our times by distilling chaos and complexity into recognizable and easily digestible, action-oriented insights. Her clients, businesses and governments around the world, have used her Centricity Principle™ approach to create successful organizational, national and global transformational strategies. It has been long recognized that the growth of a nation’s economy improves the health of its people. The converse is also true. Improving health is an economically wise and productive inv... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063254 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:09:52 +0100 3063254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3019217&cid=t_375917_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcnettv.cnet.com%2Fav%2Fvideo%2Fcbsnews%2Fatlantis2%2Fplayer-dest.swf "Families cannot imagine there could be anything worse than their loved one dying. But in fact, there are things worse....Most generally, it's having someone you love die badly, suffering, dying connected to machines." -- Dr. Ira Byock, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center....Last year, Medicare paid $50 billion just for doctor and hospital bills during the last two months of patients' lives. That's more than the budget of the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Education. And it has been estimated that 20 to 30 percent of these medical expenditures may have had no meaningful impact. The vast majority of people say they want to die at home, but 75 percent die in a hospital or nursing home. Many Americans spend their last days in an ICU, subjected to uncomfortable machines ... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3019217 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:50:21 +0100 3019217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3008066&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FKtH96XM6uNc%2F Michael Cannon has some astute analysis of the Senate health care bill below. I posted these thoughts at Politico’s Arena: According to the Chamber of Commerce polls, strong majorities in every state they polled believe the health care bills will increase the deficit. In this case the public’s cynical instincts are almost certain to be more accurate than the computer models of the CBO. As David Dickson of the Washington Times reviewed yesterday, government health care programs have a history of cost overruns. And not small overruns, like overdrawing your checking account — massive, order-of-magnitude cost overruns. Is that because politicians intentionally overstate the benefits and underestimate the costs of their proposals? Or just that computer models aren’t very... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3008066 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:33:18 +0100 3008066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2996051&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FHd1zUrdfP-s%2Faffordable-tubal-reversal-surgery.html The reversal experts of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center explain key concepts behind free, cheap, and affordable tubal reversal surgery. They also offer special tubal reversal pricing available until February 2010. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2996051 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:21:43 +0100 2996051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995703&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F16%2Finternational-journal-of-health-technology-assessment-in-health-care-2009-vol-25-no-4%2F This article assesses the role of MEDLINE and EMBASE in identifying economic evaluations. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Posted in Journals Tagged: Contingent Valuation, Cost Effectiveness, Databases, Embase, Medline, Technology Assessment (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995703 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:08:22 +0100 2995703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993725&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F15%2Fbristol-myers-squibb-pharmaceuticals-ltd-r-on-the-application-of-v-national-institute-for-health-and-clinical-excellence-2009%2F Title: Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Ltd, R (on the application of) v National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence [2009] The Skinny: Challenges of the decision of the defendant, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) refusing to recommend the use of abatacept (ABA) for treatment in connection with rheumatoid arthritis in the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. Publisher: Bailii Size of Document: Webpage Case No.:EWHC 2780 (Admin) (06 November 2009) Posted in Jurisprudence Tagged: Arthiritis, Cost Effectiveness, Drug Therapy, Evidence Based Practice, Jurisprudence (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993725 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:11:20 +0100 2993725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989109&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F13%2Fmore-for-less-are-productivity-and-efficiency-improving-in-the-nhs%2F Title: More for less: Are productivity and efficiency improving in the NHS? Skinny: Analytical briefing from the Audit Commission considering how NHS money has been spent, whether primary care trusts have been successful in keeping more patients out of hospital, and whether hospitals have become more efficient. Findings are that the NHS is treating more patients at lower cost and trusts are starting to meet the challenges of the future. It suggests NHS trusts are increasing productivity and reducing unit costs. But overall, there is no sign yet that primary care trusts have been successful in moving care from hospitals closer to patients’ homes. Publisher: Audit Commission Size of Publication: 12p Published: 12/11/2009 Posted in Change, Financial Management, Grey Literature, Hospit... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989109 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:33:21 +0100 2989109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984764&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2F11%2Fpolicy-brief-examines-public-option-debate%2F A new policy brief from Health Affairs and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation explores a key aspect of landmark health reform legislation passed by the House of Representatives: the proposal for a government-run public health insurance plan. The brief lays out details of the plan, including who could enroll, who could receive subsidies to buy coverage, and the anticipated impact on health insurance premiums. The brief also describes pros and cons of the House proposal, such as why public plan supporters think it is necessary and why critics believe the idea will backfire. Supporters say that a public plan would offer more affordable coverage, could stimulate competition, and could lead the way in improving the entire health insurance market. Those opposed question the public plan’s ultim... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984764 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:53:56 +0100 2984764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2970349&cid=t_375917_129_f&fid=39065&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fgluten-freesimplicity%2FGNKb%2F%7E3%2FA2UnRdEpngM%2F All I am suggesting is that people who have been diagnosed with Gluten-Related health problems can possibly help themselves (and those around them) if they grieve their losses in a healthy way. (Source: Gluten-Free Simplicity) Gluten-Free Simplicity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2970349 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:35:25 +0100 2970349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967281&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F2-meZ0-oH_Q%2F My initial enthusiasm for blogging on the subject of adherence policy “carrots and sticks” faded the more I contemplated the disputes that would arise by suggesting “sticks,” so mostly I’ll – pardon the pun – “stick” to “carrots.” In recent weeks these blog pages have been filled with ways to support patients: reviewing insights about human behavior, the young, the old, reminder systems, games and team care. In fact, this series could have continued all month and we’d not have exhausted the ways in which patients are supported, encouraged and cajoled to be adherent. Yes, we’ve dispensed plenty of sugar to make the medicine go down, but we’ve not proposed any “sticks” in the event it does not. Let’s face it; we’re not ready for the outrage in the public p... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967281 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:18:52 +0100 2967281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954513&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FhtDlMF9n9YQ%2F The following post – part of Disruptive Women’s Drug Adherence Series – is by Stacey Irving of McKesson Patient Relationship Solutions. Poor medication adherence affects all of us in healthcare — it’s a problem that our entire industry is trying to tackle. By many estimates, more than 50% of patients aren’t taking their medications as prescribed. And that’s a real problem: it’s adding $177 billion in additional healthcare costs and contributing to sicker patients. Reports associate lack of adherence with 10% of hospital visits and 40% of nursing home admissions. At McKesson, we’re trying a new approach. We’ve partnered with pharmaceutical manufacturers to sponsor programs that get community pharmacists involved in promoting medication adherence. Independent ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954513 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:59:02 +0100 2954513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943746&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F30%2Fa-compromise-proposal-on-financing-health-reform%2F Both the new House health reform bill and the Senate Finance Committee bill, despite their best efforts, have to impose some taxes on some taxpayers; they cannot get all of a trillion dollars of subsidies for insurance out of Medicare.  But they differ on what and whom to tax: the House proposes to tax well-off people by limiting their tax deductions for things unrelated to health care or insurance, while Senate Finance proposes to levy an excise tax on high cost health plans.  As a card-carrying health economist, I am programmed to believe that the best choice for limiting health spending is to curtail the current open-ended exclusion of employment based health insurance premiums (whether nominally paid by employer or worker) and the flexible spending account loophole.  As an economist... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943746 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:02:43 +0100 2943746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939424&cid=t_375917_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drneedles.comhttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Freform-expensive-for-seniors.html As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Visit drneedles is blogging" at the end of each blog for a complete alphabetical list of all my blogs. Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.SENIORS, OPEN YOUR WALLETSMedicare costs 13% of the federal budget ($391 bil... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939424 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:55:00 +0100 2939424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939263&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F28%2Fa-narrative-on-narrative-matters%2F Narrative Matters recently brought together 80 writers, journalists, and academics to celebrate the Tenth Anniversary of Narrative Matters.  There was much to celebrate: over 150 Narratives published in Health Affairs that covered a spectrum of human stories set in the increasingly institutionalized health care system.  We came to celebrate the power of stories and storytelling in the human drama of health.  A diverse group of men and women from a variety of backgrounds attended; the common denominator was a dedication to the health narrative. It was a needed function.  There is an often-unarticulated human side to every profession, but the healing professions have a special need for articulate writing.  No other profession is as complex; no other profession finds us as needy and vu... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939263 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:14:20 +0100 2939263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2923236&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FKY3gAJpeA5U%2F In late July, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed a new version of PASS ID, the REAL ID revival bill. I’ve posted about various dimensions of it: the national ID question, the politics of PASS ID, whether PASS ID protects privacy, a run-down of the Senate hearing on it, and the inexplicable support of the Center for Democracy and Technology for this national ID law. Three months later, the committee still has not reported the bill, meaning that the public doesn’t get access to the version the committee passed. (A resolution in the House would require committees there to publish amendments to bills within 24 hours.) But the Congressional Budget Office scored the bill this week. That is often a signal that legislation is on the move. So it&#821... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2923236 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:38:18 +0100 2923236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2919606&cid=t_375917_72_f&fid=38877&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.laseroffers.com%2F2009%2F10%2Ffractional-photothermolysis-update%2F The concept of non-ablative fractional photothermolysis was introduced to the market in 2003 as an answer to the need for effective, yet low risk, skin resurfacing techniques. Unlike conventional ablative (CO2 and Erbium) and non-ablative lasers, fractional ablative and non-ablative photothermolysis treats only a fraction of the skin, leaving up to a maximum of 95% [...]Post from: Aesthetic Laser OffersFractional Photothermolysis: Non-Ablative and Ablative (Source: Aesthetic Lasers) Aesthetic Lasers blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2919606 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:14:27 +0100 2919606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2908925&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2F4XOAhVxLcMY%2Fessure-tubal-reversals-and-pregnancies.html The tubal reversal experts of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center provide information about Essure sterilization, Essure reversal, and tubouterine implantation. The cost of Essure tubal reversal is significantly less than the cost of a single IVF treatment cycle. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2908925 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:52:06 +0100 2908925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2879771&cid=t_375917_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FFNEJFnreE1Y%2Fgot-alzheimers-tough-luck.html Should Alzheimer's caregivers be paid $1 an hour by the United States Government?By Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room Editor Over 65? Need a heart operation? No problem. Diagnosed with cancer need extended treatment? No problem. Medicare is ready to step in and give you an operation, or whatever treatment you need when these diseases strike. Got Alzheimer's? Good luck, good riddance, see ya later. I have to wonder, are people suffering from Alzheimer's disease being discriminated against because they picked the wrong disease?In case you didn't notice, the issue of providing long term care or dealing with the unique medical issues of Alzheimer's is no where to be found in the current national health care debate.This despite the fact that more than 9 million unpaid Alzheimer's car... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2879771 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:26:21 +0100 2879771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876020&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FE0X1L4H-IWA%2F Sen. Max Baucus’s (D-MT) health care overhaul would cost more than $2 trillion.  It would expand the deficit.  But he has carefully and methodically hidden those facts – so well that he has completely hoodwinked nearly all the major media. The media are reporting that the Baucus bill would reduce the deficit by $81 billion over 10 years.  Wrong. The Baucus bill assumes that Congress will allow the “sustainable growth rate” cuts in Medicare’s physician payments to occur beginning in 2012.  Yet Congress has routinely and repeatedly blocked those cuts, making Baucus’s assumption preposterous.  The CBO handled the issue delicately, but essentially said, “Sure, provided that the sun rises in the west in 2012, then yes, this bill would reduce the deficit.” That means Baucus ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876020 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:34:44 +0100 2876020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876024&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fz3uyza6fyC4%2F The CBO report that said the health care bill won’t raise deficits makes it clear that the Baucus bill’s reduction in future budget deficits comes not from controlling government spending or reducing health care costs, but because of a rapid escalation in tax revenues. The bill imposes a 40 percent excise tax on health-insurance plans that offer benefits in excess of $8,000 for an individual plan and $21,000 for a family plan. Insurers would almost certainly pass this tax on to consumers via higher premiums. As inflation pushes insurance premiums higher in coming years, more and more middle-class families would find themselves caught up in the tax. In fact, overall, the tax increases in the bill are more than double the amount of deficit reduction. This isn’t a health care effici... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876024 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:55:32 +0100 2876024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862481&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Ftk6ZicbvdJY%2F Ever wonder why your physician only spends 5-10 rushed minutes with you during your office visit? You may think it’s because there are simply too many patients vying for her time, but that’s not the real reason. The root cause is that health insurance companies are stealing time from your visit by requiring excessive documentation from your doctor. She can’t give you the time you need, because doing so would put her out of business. In a special report on the administrative burden of healthcare, MedPage Today revealed that PCPs spend about one third of their income on documentation required by health insurers. Because they run a business with thin margins, they must increase the volume of patients they treat in order to cover the salaries of the staff required to manage this “paper... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862481 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:55 +0100 2862481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2838915&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FCc_Cvx0W2hA%2F This article is part of a series of essays on our health care system which are available on Society of Actuaries’ Web site: http://www.soa.org/library/essays/health-essay-2009-toc.aspx. Each of these essays presents a different perspective on the problems with our current system for providing and paying for medical coverage. It comes as no surprise, the current health care system is not working for any of the parties in the system; employers, medical providers, health plans and health insurance companies and especially not for the consumer.  More clarity is needed to help solidify a new path for healthcare reform. For the consumer, the current billing practices of providers and payment practices of insurance companies often result in the highest charges being applied to the individuals... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2838915 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:30:17 +0100 2838915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828167&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F24%2Fbending-the-cost-curve-from-demos-to-pilots%2F There has been much debate about whether the various health reform bills being debated in Congress contain enough measures to reform the health care delivery system and slow the rate of growth in health care spending. Speaking at the Sept. 9 briefing held to release Health Affairs’ Sept-Oct issue, a thematic volume titled “Bending The Cost Curve,” Center for Studying Health System Change President Paul Ginsburg cited one subtle but arguably important sign of progress: The movement from “demonstration” projects to “pilot” projects. “The bills have real reforms in getting right the structure of relative payments under fee-for-service, and they do take some initial steps toward broader payment units,” Ginsburg said. “The bills talk about pilots which is real progress compa... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828167 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:27:35 +0100 2828167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2827782&cid=t_375917_72_f&fid=38877&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.laseroffers.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fbasics-of-fractional-technology%2F Why the newer fractional technologies are so popular? The latest fractional laser technologies offer a better balance of efficacy, patient tolerance and lack of side effects compared to older lasers. For better results the depth of the laser beam penetration and the depth of skin resurfacing are important. But even more important is an optimal combination of [...]Post from: Aesthetic Laser OffersThe Basics of the Fractional Technology (Source: Aesthetic Lasers) Aesthetic Lasers blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2827782 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:38:06 +0100 2827782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2820455&cid=t_375917_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Fcutting-edge-dentistry-and-stem-cells%2F In light of the 2009 World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore this week, DentalBlogs brings you the news on stem cell research and procedures in dentistry. Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSC) can differentiate into various types of cells, then multiply to rebuild tissue. Embryonic cord stem cells have been used to regenerate blood cells, but dental stem cells can create many other types of tissues, such as connective, muscular, bone, dental, and even neuronal. Recently, DentalBlogs posted an article regarding the successful implantation of stem cells that resulted in a mouse growing a new tooth. According to a Nova Southeastern University survey, 96% of dentists predict that stem cell regeneration will “dominate the future of dentistry.” More than half of surveyed dentists believe that they will ... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2820455 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:24:22 +0100 2820455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2803894&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fx-wmoGX3J4Q%2F With the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) likely to be voted on by the full House or Representatives today, the media is finally giving some space to debate over the bill. Unfortunately, the New York Times only pays attention to the parts it likes, writing in an editorial today that: The private lenders and those who do their bidding in Congress have recently taken issue with a Congressional Budget Office analysis that showed that the bill would save about $87 billion over the next 10 years. They argue, absurdly, for example, that the savings would be smaller if the system were analyzed under accounting rules other than the ones that the federal government is required to use. The aim is to mislead taxpayers and members of Congress into believing that the C.B.O. estimate... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2803894 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:29:56 +0100 2803894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796411&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FlTYyk-wTNWQ%2F The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) is expected to head to the full House of Representatives for a vote tomorrow, and as it does there is yet another Congressional Budget Office estimate upping its expected cost. The bill that sponsor George Miller (D-CA) shamelessly says will be a taxpayer-money saver continues to be exposed as very much the opposite. As you might recall, Miller has been touting SAFRA as legislation that would fund all kinds of new or expanded federal programs while allocating $10 billion to deficit reduction. But the CBO has never agreed with that. First, the CBO identified a likely net cost to taxpayers of about $6 billion over ten years, and that was without including any deficit reduction. Then it estimated that SAFRA would cost an additional ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796411 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:24:36 +0100 2796411 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2790417&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FksXK8ZEjbTg%2Fessure-reversal-what-you-need-to-know.html This article explains the Essure procedure, tubouterine implantation to reverse the Essure procedure, and pregnancy success rates after reversal surgery. Common questions about Essure reversal are also answered. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2790417 Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:38:41 +0100 2790417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2781999&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F10%2Fregional-payment-and-delivery-reforms-critical-to-obama-plans-success%2F Early in President Barack Obama’s speech to Congress about health care reform, he mentioned health care costs as one of the causes of the problem of lack of insurance coverage. But most of the speech focused on what to do about health insurance costs, not health care costs. Changing the rules about how insurance companies operate and compete can address the add-on costs of insurance administration as well as eliminate inappropriate denials of coverage, but if the costs of the health care system keep growing as they have been, health insurance will continue to be unaffordable; the burden will simply shift to the taxpayers through the affordability tax credits the president has proposed. There are solutions, but they require a very different approach to health care delivery and payment th... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2781999 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:50:49 +0100 2781999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2758131&cid=t_375917_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FAh_LZwH5Fok%2Fminnesota-helps-citizens-online.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2758131 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:46:00 +0100 2758131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2758027&cid=t_375917_133_f&fid=35130&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautisticbfh.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Four-big-fat-intolerant-society.html An article in Newsweek addresses the issue of why there is so much prejudice against heavy people in the United States, even though most of the population is either overweight or obese. The authors observe that weight gain is generally seen as a consequence of personal failings such as gluttony and lack of willpower, even though a modern sedentary lifestyle makes weight management quite difficult and many people have a genetic predisposition toward obesity. Some of the hostility toward the obese, they suggest, could be misplaced anger arising from the frustration that many people feel as a result of struggling to lose weight. People tend to attribute their own failings to their circumstances, while blaming others for having made bad choices. And there's also a bit of general mob mentality ... Whose Planet Is It Anyway? blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2758027 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:44:00 +0100 2758027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757713&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F01%2Fhealth-reform-proposals-top-ha-blog-most-read%2F Health reform proposals and an examination of what’s working to control health care costs dominated the most-read posts on Health Affairs Blog in August. Additional commenting is always welcome. A Modest Proposal On Payment Reform by Uwe Reinhardt Low-Cost Health Quality Care In America by John Iglehart Obesity Spending Estimated at 147 Billion Annually by Chris Fleming Building A Health Marketplace That Works by Alain C. Enthoven Moving From Volume Driven Medicine Toward Accountable Care by Aaron McKethan and Mark McClellan The Accountable Care Organization: Not Ready For Prime Time by Jeff Goldsmith What People Don’t Know About Health Insurance Exchanges by Peter Lee and John Grgurina All Payer Rate Setting: A Response To A Modest Proposal From Uwe Reinhardt by Paul B. Ginsburg Hea... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757713 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:41:56 +0100 2757713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751882&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTnnLzTsJ_Kw%2F Probably because it’s back-to-school time, there are lots of interesting higher education related items worth checking out today. Here are a few: I have a new op-ed on the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsbility Act, the bill that we’re told will save taxpayer money but will almost certainly cost us tens of billions. Meanwhile, the Associated Press published a big article on “spin” about the legislation that ignores supporters’ extremely dubious assertions about SAFRA’s true costs — the AP repeats the supposed savings line without question – but instead focuses on whether Pell Grant increases will be as large as some people hope . Over at the Pope Center for Higher Education Policy, they’re running a three-part series that&#8217... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751882 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:53:02 +0100 2751882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751979&cid=t_375917_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FlehVy7pI4yM%2F Several stores and drugstore chains are offering free flu shots for people looking for work and those who are uninsured or low cost shots, making it more affordable for preventative health. CVS will offer 100,000 free seasonal flu shots (approx $3 million value) those who are job hunting. They are also offering low cost vaccinations at no-appointment walk in clinics throughout the United States. Walgreens, which also provides low-cost vaccinations, will provide $1 million worth of vaccinations to those who are unemployed. Although not free, Rite Aid Corp is offering seasonal vaccinations beginning today and Walmart will be starting in mid-September. If you go to this Walmart site, you can put in your zip code to see if a store near you is participating. For Rite Aid’s schedule and... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751979 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:55:43 +0100 2751979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2748161&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FWQ_Ea7S30kE%2Frobotic-tubal-ligation-reversal-advice.html The tubal reversal experts of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center provide information about the new surgical technology of robotic tubal ligation reversal. In this article, the reversal surgeons of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center provide opinions on the appropriateness of robotic tubal reversal when compared to abdominal incision out-patient tubal reversal. Previous articles discussed the basic concept of robotic surgery and the findings of current medical studies. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2748161 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:59:15 +0100 2748161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2733663&cid=t_375917_72_f&fid=38877&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.laseroffers.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fquick-guide-to-laser-skin-resurfacing%2F Still horrified by laser blasting of facial wrinkles followed by months of redness? This is so 90s! New generation of aesthetic lasers is safer and more selective in treating just what the doctors says you need: wrinkles, age spots, broken capillaries, saggy skin, etc. The result? Faster healing, so you can get back in makeup and [...]Post from: Aesthetic Laser OffersQuick Guide to Laser Skin Resurfacing With Costs and Expectations (Source: Aesthetic Lasers) Aesthetic Lasers blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2733663 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:46:19 +0100 2733663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727457&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2F5S1PUKAxcPc%2Frobotic-tubal-ligation-reversal-medical-studies.html In the second article of the series on robotic tubal ligation reversal, the tubal ligation reversal experts of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center present the most current medical studies on the success and effectiveness of robotic tubal reversal compared to standard microsurgical tubal ligation reversal. Readers may be surprised to know robotic surgical technology does not deliver on the promise of better tubal reversal outcomes. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727457 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:22:20 +0100 2727457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2716031&cid=t_375917_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fm2OxMxrsz6Y%2F We’re hearing about health care reform every day, it seems, especially since President Obama is trying to pass legislation from the rising costs for Americans. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to see that a group of Milwaukee area employers seem to be ahead of the curve. They have found a way to lower costs while still providing great health care options for their employees. Four years ago, a group of fourteen Milwaukee employers teamed up to figure out how to lower their health care costs. They employers got bids from area hospitals and physicians, and when someone submitted too high a bid, it was thrown out. They also worked with the people who submitted bids to make sure the health care was up to par, and that the costs remained at a reasonable level. (Not that they wo... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2716031 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:18:39 +0100 2716031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2712038&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F19%2Finternational-journal-of-technology-assessment-in-health-care-2009-vol-25-no-3%2F This article looks at a study which investigated the views of UK stakeholders on the current arrangements for implementing “only in research” decisions as well as how improvements might be made. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Posted in Journals Tagged: Cost Effectiveness, Medical Technology, Policy, Technology Assessment (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2712038 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:56:03 +0100 2712038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2712088&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F08%2F18%2Faffordable-access-for-modest-income-workers-eligible-for-group-coverage%2F In conclusion, sliding-scale tax credits and associated policies would better target federal tax spending and better align incentives to avoid crowd-out of employer financing. It could also assure convenient, affordable, and more stable coverage for many modest-income workers who have suffered disproportionate costs and wage concessions to participate in employer coverage, or have remained uninsured due to unaffordable contribution requirements. We believe this would help fulfill the promise that reform will make coverage more easily accessible and affordable for working Americans. Copyright © 2009 Health Affairs Blog. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. All material published on Health Affairs blog, excluding links, is covered under a Creative Commons Attribution - Non... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2712088 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:27:59 +0100 2712088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709095&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F17%2Fassessing-complementary-practice-building-consensus-on-appropriate-research-methods-report-of-an-independent-advisory-group%2F This report aims to establish a consensus on the ways in which research might be conducted that both the conventional and complementary health care communities can support. Publisher: King’s Fund Size of Publication: 32p Published: 10/08/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Complementary Medicine, Grey Literature, Health Economics, Quality Tagged: Complimentary Therapies, Cost Effectiveness, Evidence Based Practice, Grey Literature, Research (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709095 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:59:37 +0100 2709095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2705363&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2F9qPxs-KpiSI%2Frobotic-tubal-reversal-surgery.html Robotic tubal reversal is the most current topic discussed by the tubal reversal specialist of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. The advantages and disadvantages of robotic tubal reversal surgery will be highlighted in this three part blog. This first article discusses the basic concepts behind robotic tubal reversal. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2705363 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:05:14 +0100 2705363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2699854&cid=t_375917_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomablog.com%2F2009%2F08%2F13%2Fbig-medical-bills%2F My nephew called last night to tell me that he’d had a trip to the ER Monday from work, by ambulance. He became really dizzy, and wasn’t even able to walk.  His manager called for an ambulance, and he was taken to the nearest hospital.  The ride made him feel even worse, causing nausea and vomiting.  After several hours at the hospital, he was told he had vertigo and was allowed to go home.  He saw a doctor the next day to make sure there wasn’t anything more he needed to do. One of his concerns was the bill.  As someone who’s been paying medical bills on a continuous basis for over 6 years now, I offered some advice.  My advice to anyone who incurs hefty medical bills is to negotiate payments if you’re not able to pay the whole thing at once.  I’... beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2699854 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:23:26 +0100 2699854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691436&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aannet.org%2Ffiles%2Fpublic%2FAPN_template.pdf As the nation focuses on how to cut the cost of so-called health care reform, maybe it’s time to pay attention to demonstrated methods for improving care while reducing costs that are not yet supported by Medicare and other payers. We cannot afford the system we have and changing it should be on the top of the agenda for anyone who wants to extend coverage of health care to all and improve health outcomes. For example, many readers of this blog will have had the experience of being a patient or family caregiver for someone who is older and has multiple chronic health problems that periodic become acute and require hospitalization. Once discharged from the hospital, the patient and caregiver often feel at a loss for how to manage some of the problems that can arise even within hours of di... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691436 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:42:39 +0100 2691436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2664004&cid=t_375917_113_f&fid=38116&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpracticefusion.typepad.com%2Fweblog%2F2009%2F08%2Fwho-will-say-no.html Perhaps aware that US doctors order 5 times more MRIs than their German counterparts, or that billions of dollars are spent each year on cancer drugs that extend life by about a month, a Colorado neurologist posed this question to the Big O during a recent forum, covered by the Washington Post: "Mr. President," he said, "what can you do to convince the American public that there actually are limits to what we can pay for with our American health-care system? And if there are going to be limits, who…is going to enforce the rules for a system like that?" President Obama said it was the "right question," and then punted it like Ray Guy on fourth down. The Big O and Congress have chosen to direct their cost-cutting efforts on the creation of a public insurance ... Practice Fusion Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2664004 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2664004 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2726892&cid=t_375917_72_f&fid=38877&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.laseroffers.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fwhat-is-fractional-eyelift%2F Fractional Eyelift Procedure is used to reduce eyelid drooping and wrinkles without having to go under the knife and arguably with minimal downtime. In good hands the right type of fractional laser offers excellent results that are similar to a surgical eye lift without incisions. Fractional Eyelift represents one of the latest advancements in fractional laser [...]Post from: Aesthetic Laser OffersWhat is Fractional Eyelift (Source: Aesthetic Lasers) Aesthetic Lasers blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2726892 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:05:19 +0100 2726892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2648964&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F21KAs7jsxn4%2F There seems to be near universal agreement that the excessive use of debt among both corporations, particularly banks, and households contributed to the severity of the financial crisis.  However, other than the occasional refrain that banks should hold more capital, there has been little discussion over why corporations choose to be so highly leveraged in the first place.  But then such a discussion might lead us to the all too obvious answer — the federal government, via the tax code, encourages, even heavily subsidizes corporate leverage. Cato scholar and banking analyst Bert Ely has estimated that the subsides for debt have historically resulted in an after tax cost of debt of 3 to 5 percent, compared to an after tax cost of equity of 12 to 15 percent.  With differences of th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2648964 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:53:32 +0100 2648964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2625951&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FgQtWh2Idm3k%2F Kevin Carey has posted his response to my reply to him, and apparently he just won’t take it from a libertarian that we libertarians see no dilemma in the college-cost problem. At least, he can’t see how libertarians could “think seriously about restraining college costs” and still come to the conclusion that the best way to cut government spending on higher education is to, well, cut government spending. He still insists that the only way to “bend down the long-term higher education cost curve and thus reduce government spending is to increase government regulation.” The mime who is boxing libertarians in must be one powerful illusionist, because Carey just can’t seem to not see a real box. But reading Carey’s post makes clear why this is: He wants desperately to belie... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2625951 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:13:48 +0100 2625951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2616684&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fic1XKlOiJY0%2F As the nation’s oldest consumer organization, the National Consumers League has been working toward health reform for decades.  Our former President, Josephine Roche, drafted the first piece of universal health care legislation for President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s.  Like so many others, we are pleased to see that today our foremothers’ determination to provide health coverage for all Americans is coming to fruition. The League appreciates the hard work of those in the HELP and Finance Committees in the Senate and in the House Committees in providing affordable and quality health care for all Americans. At this moment in history, more Americans than ever before agree that health reform must happen now and can’t be put off for another day. 85% of Americans think the s... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2616684 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:00:45 +0100 2616684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2601943&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fjxk2vidKox4%2F The giggles started almost immediately.  Ola. Me llamo Meryl.  I am guessing that it was my remarkably un-Spanish sounding accent.  Ever since my chlidren had taken Spanish in middle school and I had tried to help them study, they had marveled at my attempts to pronounce their Spanish vocabulary words but I could not do so no matter how hard I tried.    But I digress. Ola.   Me llamo Meryl.   We were standing in front of 60+ students ages 7 and 8 in a small village school about 2 hours north of Quito, Ecuador.   We were part of a small group (40+) of Americans who had traveled on “vacation”  to Ecuador on a service/humanitarian trip. Some of us were helping “teach” in the schools; others were helping paint the buildings or construct tables and chairs;... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2601943 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:00:48 +0100 2601943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2602261&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FrX7lcSDmJ8o%2Ftubal-ligation-reversal-at-age-47-pat.html Pat is a 47 year-old breast cancer survivor who has defied the odds and now travels to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center to pursue her dreams of having a tubal reversal and giving herself the possibility of conceiving again. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2602261 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:54:02 +0100 2602261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2598163&cid=t_375917_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F14%2Fjournal-of-care-services-management-2009-volume-3-number-4%2F Contents Page Fade Fave: Home healthcare: Emerging evidence for NHS commissioners Fade Skinny: Evidence of the potential for home healthcare to form part of a coherent suite of appropriate, flexible and cost-effective services is emerging. As healthcare budgets come under increasing pressure and demands for care to be delivered in a manner more convenient to patients increase, so interest in this method of care delivery has grown. This paper briefly reviews the evidence base for home healthcare. (Print copy held at the Fade Library) Posted in Current Awareness Tagged: Athens Password, Cancer, Chemotherapy, Commissioning, Cost Effectiveness, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Home Healthcare, Oncology Services, Outreach, Patient Satisfaction (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2598163 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:11:10 +0100 2598163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2591545&cid=t_375917_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FwDevFXt4NgI%2F With the economy and healthcare system in the state it is right now, many workers are sticking with jobs that offer health insurance. I can say that this has always been the case for me. I had jobs I absolutely despised, but with Type 1 diabetes I have needed health insurance since I was very young. So if I didn’t like a job or worked under poor conditions, I had to either stay there or stick it out until I could find something else. Now, with the economy, it’s hard to find something else. So many workers are simply sticking with a job for the health benefits alone. So many employers off poor health insurance, that if you’ve got a job with decent benefits you’re more apt to stay. What do you think? Have you stayed with a job just because of its health benefits? Ima... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2591545 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:52:23 +0100 2591545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570987&cid=t_375917_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fthe-ms-community-weighs-in-on-the-health-care-debate%2F What does the multiple sclerosis community think about changes to medical policy?  This week in Washington, DC lawmakers began what is sure to be an arduous national debate on the subject of health care reform.  Already “both sides” are waging an advertising campaign based upon people’s fears and hopes. I figured that as we go into the long Independence Day holiday weekend, we might afford ourselves to express (and maybe someone making decisions a chance to read) our thoughts on the subject.  Few diseases have a more significant lifetime economic impact as multiple sclerosis. Even with “excellent” coverage, many of us are either cornered into taking one drug or another because of outrageous co-pays or give up many rewarding aspects of our lives so we can af... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570987 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:45:20 +0100 2570987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2522908&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F18%2Fthe-policy-lessons-of-health-care-cost-variations-a-roundtable-with-bob-berenson-elliott-fisher-bob-galvin-and-gail-wilensky%2F Editor’s Note: Below is the transcript of a Health Affairs Blog Roundtable on Atul Gawande’s New Yorker article on McAllen, Texas, and variations in health care costs. The roundtable used the article as a jumping-off point for a wide-ranging discussion on the policy implications of cost variations, delivery system reform, and other topics. Participants included Robert Berenson, an Institute Fellow at the Urban Institute; Elliott Fisher, Director of Health Policy Research at Dartmouth’s Center for the Evaluative Clinical Sciences; Robert Galvin, Director of Global Health at General Electric (GE); and Gail Wilensky, Senior Fellow at Project HOPE. The roundtable was moderated by John Iglehart, Founding Editor of Health Affairs. JOHN IGLEHART: The subject of the first the... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2522908 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:41:47 +0100 2522908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2522909&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F17%2Fgeography-and-the-keys-to-health-care-reform%2F Editor’s Note: In the post below, Amitabh Chandra responds to criticisms of the Dartmouth Atlas and offers his vision of the lessons of the Dartmouth findings on variations in health care costs and practice styles. Watch the Blog tomorrow for a roundtable discussion on Atul Gawande’s New Yorker article on McAllen Texas and the policy implications of the Dartmouth work. Roundtable participants will include Robert Berenson, Elliott Fisher, Robert Galvin and Gail Wilensky. Since 1973, when Jack Wennberg and Alan Gittelsohn first documented geographic variation in health care, researchers at Dartmouth and their collaborators have compiled a large literature that helps us to understand the phenomenon of regional variation in health care utilization, and its uncertain link with patie... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2522909 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:06:27 +0100 2522909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523687&cid=t_375917_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FmxaxKSdj9Ac%2Furgent-medicare-qustionf-from-reader.html An 82 year old dementia patient who I assist with medical bills is going into the hospital (as opposed to Dentist's office) for oral surgery to extract multiple teeth. Because of her dementia, general anesthesia is required.However, Medicare apparently doesn't cover the cost for the hospital/anesthesia despite that the underlying condition.Dementia is the reason it is required for these extractions. The cost is over $10,000 for the hospital room and anesthesiologist at NYU MedicalCenter. The dentist's office manager has been trying to get them to reconsidercovering the cost but no success as yet.Anyone out there have a similiar situation, and if so, any suggestions / tacticsyou recommend?Thanks in advance for you help. (Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The) Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523687 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:06:52 +0100 2523687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2517468&cid=t_375917_180_f&fid=38610&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.productivity501.com%2Fcost-vs-benefit-for-productivity%2F166%2F Most people are really bad at comparing cost and benefits. Hybrid cars are a good example of this. For example, the cost of the cheapest (that I could find) new gasoline Honda Civic is around $14,800. The cost of the cheapest hybrid Civic is $22,000. Assuming that you drive 13,000 miles per year, the hybrid will save you $369 per year in gas–assuming gasoline costs an average of $2.80 per gallon. So you are paying an extra $7200 to save $369 per year. It will take nearly 20 years before you end up saving money with the car. Even if you consider that the government will give you something like an extra $2,100 off your taxes for buying the hybrid, it will still take nearly 14 years before you break even. Also consider that if you do manage to drive the car for a very long time, in 10 ... Productivity501 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2517468 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:00:00 +0100 2517468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510792&cid=t_375917_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2FQ4DypJowUUo%2F Guest Post: The word pandemic has been thrown around in recent years because of the prevalence of many major illnesses that have occurred throughout the third world nations as well as even many Western nations. However, the recent Swine Flu outbreak has caused much deliberation as to the proper terminology of the word itself. There have been generations of widespread epidemics in the past that have included influenza, cholera, and a multitude of other diseases. However, the World Health Organization has come up with a six-tiered level in which to determine when to implement specific disease control efforts around the world, which has successfully led to many countries quarantining illnesses which could be easily spread abroad. However, the true definition of a pandemic is not delivered by ... Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510792 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:52:19 +0100 2510792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473597&cid=t_375917_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Ftblgul6CgNE%2F Health care reform is a hot topic these days, and for good reason. Costs are out of hand, people are spending large chunks of their income just to remain healthy, and more and more people are going into debt. As the discussion for health care reforms deepens, one thing experts are looking at is life expectancy. People in the United States have a life expectancy of 78.1 years, which ranks 50th out of 224 nations. This figure is “despite spending more money than any other country on health care.” Some experts say that the reason for this figure is the “privatized nature of the U.S. health care system.” Do you agree? Image: sxc.hu. Share and Enjoy: Post from: Blisstree Life Expectancy and Health Care Reform (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473597 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:46:14 +0100 2473597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473230&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F11%2Fhospital-costs-and-quality-amitabh-chandras-view%2F We examined whether hospitals that spent more Medicare dollars on their patients in the last two years of life performed better on quality indicators. Our quality measures came from the publicly available Hospital Compare data set for the years 2004-2007. We examined ten measures that collectively encompass care delivered for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), congestive heart failure (CHF), and pneumonia. We wanted a spending measure that captured the intensity of care that hospitals provide. We used end-of-life Parts A and B Medicare spending for chronically ill beneficiaries. Because all these beneficiaries died within two years, they were comparably sick, and we further adjusted for comorbidities to reduce the influence of illness in affecting spending differences. (And it’s not just... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473230 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:26:15 +0100 2473230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2469464&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F09%2Fpublic-plan-option-sustainable-growth-rate-formula-on-steroids%2F Everyone in the health care debate seems to agree that the biggest problem is costs and that the best way to control costs is to get at the waste in the system. To raise the money needed to cover everyone and to make the system sustainable, goes the argument, we need to convert the upwards of 30% in excess costs now in the system to savings. I think that’s right. Many of my friends in the health care debate say the way to do that is with a robust public-plan option. The reasoning goes that a Medicare-like public plan that can drive down reimbursement rates for providers will create strong competition for the traditional insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) so they finally have to tackle the problem of costs and waste. I agree with their premise that we need to have unambi... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2469464 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:10:24 +0100 2469464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464088&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FfzQdyydGzdE%2F Congressman Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) has a fairly radical proposal for reforming defense acquisition in Politico. Cooper wants to put the military services’ acquisition staffs under the direct control of the Secretary of Defense. The idea is to liberate the staffs from the parochial perspectives that cause various pathologies in acquisition programs. The oped implicitly blames large and consistent cost overruns in weapons programs on the services’ interests, which manifest in excessive requirements for platforms. For example, the Air Force’s religious attachment to the over-designed and thus wildly expensive F-22 has its origin in a peculiar self-image, one that sees the establishment of air superiority for strategic bombing as the Air Force’s main mission. You can t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464088 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:06:51 +0100 2464088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464098&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FHmV7-vt55Qc%2F From a patient’s point of view, the ideal health insurance policy would offer unlimited access to medical services at no charge. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to offer this to everyone. The key to sustainable health care reform is restraining the use of services that have high costs and low benefits, says Cato adjunct scholar Arnold Kling.  In the video below, Kling examines the challenges facing health reformers and the feasibility of alternative proposals. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464098 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:11:28 +0100 2464098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452416&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Ffollowing-the-cost-conundrum-the-road-to-allen-tx-through-the-pages-of-health-affairs%2F Discussions about the size of the medical workforce in McAllen compared to the rest of the United States, appeared in a study by David Goodman, “Twenty Year Trends in Regional Variation in the U.S. Physician Workforce.” published on the Web in October, 2004. Katherine Baicker and Amitabh Chandra have collaborated on studies of regional variations in Medicare spending and in quality outcomes since 2004 when both were at Dartmouth, and have continued this collaboration at Harvard where they both now work.  Some of their earliest work on this subject appeared in Health Affairs in April, 2004 in “Medicare Spending, The Physician Workforce, And Beneficiaries’ Quality of Care.” Their work also appeared in October, 2004, “Who You Are And Where You Live: How Race And Geography Affect ... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452416 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:34:01 +0100 2452416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452417&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F03%2Fhows-it-going-in-massachusetts%2F Despite economic hard times, Massachusetts still shows gains in insurance coverage and access to care as a result of its 2006 state health reform. However, some of the early gains in reducing barriers to health care and improving affordability had eroded by the fall of 2008, according to Urban Institute researchers in a new study published last week on the Health Affairs Web site [2-week free access.] Lead author Sharon Long, a senior fellow at Urban, told the Boston Globe that the affordability problems that have started to resurface cannot be blamed on the state’s overhaul, but on a much larger and troubling national trend. “Health care costs, in general, are increasing faster than inflation,” she said. About one in five of the over 4000 adults surveyed in fall 200... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452417 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:26:21 +0100 2452417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452419&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fthe-massachusetts-model-massive-spending-on-nonbenefit-costs%2F Plummeting coverage and soaring costs characterize the nation’s health insurance crisis. With much coverage for the nonelderly based on employment, job loss contributes to this misfortune. In response, Congress seems headed to emulate the 2006 Massachusetts “reform.” That’s an unpromising prescription because it seriously increases costs — just the opposite of what President Barack Obama cogently and correctly asserts that we need. The “reform” requires all adult residents to obtain medical care insurance through individual purchase if they are not covered by an employer-provided plan, Medicaid — called MassHealth and limited to those with very low incomes — or CommonwealthCare, a means-tested subsidized program for those with income above MassHealth’s limit... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452419 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:12:28 +0100 2452419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441214&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F05%2F29%2Fhealth-wonk-review-on-health-reform-public-plan%2F This week’s Health Wonk Review, the roving digest of the best of health policy blogging, features new posts on health reform, including the public plan option, health care costs, health IT, and more. This week’s host is Tinker Ready of Boston Health News. Copyright © 2009 Health Affairs Blog. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. All material published on Health Affairs blog, excluding links, is covered under a Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial - No Derivs 2.5 license.Plugin by Taragana (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441214 Fri, 29 May 2009 22:01:58 +0100 2441214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2424135&cid=t_375917_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F05%2F19%2F5-things-your-pharmacist-wont-tell-you-about-pharmacy-but-theangriestpharmacist-will%2F Recently, there was a huge uproar (caused by me) resulting from a crappy article making pharmacists look like unethical dickwads. Well, I rebutted. You can read PART ONE and PART TWO. The title was “10 Things Your Pharmacist Won’t Tell You.” — I’m about to tell it. 1. “While FOUR DOLLAR PRESCRIPTIONS are good for you, I am usually losing my ass.” - Sure, the cost is low enough that I make a profit on the medicine, but in the grand scheme of things, I am getting bent over here. We are failing to realize the actual cost of filling a prescription here. I have to pay for: the tech to type it, the computer system that interprets it and runs a DUR/interaction check, the electricity to run it all, the A/C to keep the store cool (and gas for heat in the wi... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2424135 Wed, 20 May 2009 05:05:59 +0100 2424135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2424055&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F05%2F19%2Fthe-health-care-industry-and-costs-an-interview-with-david-cutler%2F There has been a great deal of debate over how much significance to attach to last week’s promise by health care industry leaders to “do our part” in achieving the Obama administration’s goal of cutting health care cost grown by 1.5 percentage points annually. President Barack Obama called the occasion “a historic day, a watershed event.” He added: “Over the next 10 years — from 2010 to 2019 — they are pledging to cut the rate of growth of national health care spending by 1.5 percentage points each year — an amount that’s equal to over $2 trillion.” But the industry groups involved quickly pushed back against that interpretation, saying that they had merely agreed to work toward the eventual goal of reducing cost growth by 1.5 percent a year.... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2424055 Tue, 19 May 2009 18:52:54 +0100 2424055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414760&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F05%2F15%2Fthe-public-plan-not-worth-the-risks%2F One of the most controversial parts of the Obama health reform campaign platform was its pledge to create a new Medicare-like public health insurance offering that would “compete” with existing private insurance plans, and put pressure on them and on providers to hold down costs. It would do this mainly by using Medicare-like pricing leverage to achieve significant discounts from hospitals, physicians, and others on their services, as well as through lower administrative overhead. The public plan has been the most polarizing element of the president’s plan, since it starkly divides advocates of a much broader public role in health financing from the dwindling and demoralized advocacy base for “market-based” solutions. Last month a Lewin study forecast that if the plan paid Medica... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414760 Fri, 15 May 2009 21:47:52 +0100 2414760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2389722&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F05%2Fdaschles-dishonesty-by-omission-in.html Almost Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Daschle has a piece in Newsweek promoting national health care. Some of what he writes is accurate, but the column is utterly disingenuous in not mentioning the rationing issue.Daschle begins by noting that Medicare and Medicaid are popular programs, and not purely socialized. That is because market economics were put in to the program after their inception, but let us not get into that here. He then claims chirpily, that studies show having a public plan to compete with private ones will reduce premiums for everybody, which is part of cost containment, which we all want! Maybe, but pardon my cynicism.Daschle then turns to the strongest argument for the creation of a national public plan. From the column:[A] public plan will guarantee improved... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2389722 Tue, 05 May 2009 14:22:00 +0100 2389722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375801&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F33Nq52mHUKI%2F Today, April 28th, is Blog for Fair Pay Day. In recognition of this important day, our guest post by Lisa Codispoti, Senior Counsel for Health and Reproductive Rights, National Women’s Law Center, relates to health care and equal pay. Between 2000 and 2006, health insurance premiums increased 87.5 percent—4 times more than wages. In addition to the burden of inflated health care costs, women are still paid only 78 cents for every dollar earned by men—with women of color earning even less. In a world where women are earning significantly less than men for comparable work, how can they also afford health care? Pay inequity for women compounds the issues that already exist with our broken health care system. This is a system that makes unfair practices by insurance companies flourish, s... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375801 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:30:54 +0100 2375801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347701&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F1VTTglRgrwA%2F Disruptive Women, along with media partner The Hill, held its first health briefing yesterday on the subject of Health eGaming, Healthy Patients: Supporting Stimulus Goals Through Health eGaming. The Washington Post’s coverage of the event can be found here and The Hill’s video coverage is posted here. To see pictures of the event, click here (for Facebook) and here (for Flickr). Robin Strongin of Disruptive Women in Health Care Congressional Staffer Attempts Health eGaming The panel featured some very Disruptive Women including: The Honorable Nancy L. Johnson Senior Public Policy Advisor for Baker Donelson Former Chair, House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Glenna Crooks, Ph.D. President, Strategic Health Policy International, Inc. Julia Loughran Digital Media... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347701 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:45:08 +0100 2347701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347702&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ama-assn.org%2Fama1%2Fpub%2Fupload%2Fmm%2F368%2Fcompstudy_52006.pdf Debate surrounding health information technology, particularly electronic health records (EHR), has become increasingly dominant among health care-related discussions around the Web. Forbes.com chatted with Geoff Brown, CIO at Inova Health System (a Virginia-based not-for-profit health care service provider system consisting of hospitals and other health care centers), about the significant role health IT could play “in improving medical care, cutting costs and speeding up treatment.” The health-care industry is a study in contrasts. On one hand, it employs the best that medical science has to offer. On the other, it is one of the least automated sectors from an IT standpoint. All of that is about to change, however, spurred as much by the federal government’s push for co... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347702 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:34:09 +0100 2347702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348221&cid=t_375917_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2FFtKgo7C-FCA%2F “This graph shows percent of income spent on food at home and away from home in the United States since 1929. During the Great Depression, households spent a total of 15 to 20 percent of their income on food. Today, we spend about 10 percent of our income on eating at home and dining out.” It is interesting to note that people are spending less on food (as a percentage of our income) although this is most likely due to rising incomes. However, there is no surprise that people have decreased the amount of money that they spend on home food while the percentage spent on eating out has remains relatively constant - which is most likely is a big contributor to obesity. Reference: USDA Economic Research Service addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fmedicineandman.com... Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348221 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:53:26 +0100 2348221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2303293&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FZSrWGoxdAeI%2Fpregnancy-rates-after-tubal-surgery.html The tubal reversal experts of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center provide a comprehensive overview of pregnancy rates after tubal surgery for mild and severe tubal disease. IVF pregnancy rates and costs are also provided for comparison. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2303293 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:53:30 +0100 2303293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295061&cid=t_375917_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fthe-outrageous-price-of-ms-drugs%2F I made a trek to the pharmacy this week, to fill a couple of prescriptions for MS drugs.  It didn’t seem like an ominous day; the sun was breaking now and again from behind drizzly rain clouds and a few spring robins were twittering their song.  I even had a bit of a lilt in my hobble as I made my way in. Oh, but how the sun was blotted out later in the day when I returned to pick up my pills. When the attendant pulled the little hanger bag of pill bottles and instructions from the alphabetic rack, I noted that there were one fewer containers than I was expecting to pick up. I was advised that my insurance didn’t want to cover one of the drugs and was requesting further information from my doctor.  The pharmacist didn’t fill the prescription thinking that I might not w... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295061 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:32:45 +0100 2295061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2303294&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FwFHt09cNxa8%2Ftubal-surgery-mrs-peach-doctors-view.html Dr. Monteith adds to the Georgia Peach series on tubal ligation reversal surgery by providing a brief account of the details regarding Georgia Peach's reversal surgery from his viewpoint. Pictured in the article is an ultramini-bikini incision perfected for tubal reversal surgery buy the tubal reversal experts of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2303294 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:44:20 +0100 2303294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2303295&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FqMrPOpc-u6U%2Ftubal-surgery-infertility.html This article evaluates the ASRM paper from the view the tubal surgery experts at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2303295 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:01:06 +0100 2303295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2301623&cid=t_375917_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FcXg0EnEFaBs%2Fwalmart-will-offer-low-cost-alternative.html The New York Times is reporting that WalMart will begin selling a low-cost alternative to enable small medical offices to start using electronic health records. They'll have Sams Club begin to work with Dell and eClinical Works, to provide hardware, software instillation, maintenance, and training. Marcus Osborne, senior director for health care business development at Wal-Mart, had this to say about their new offer:“We’re a high-volume, low-cost company. And I would argue that mentality is sorely lacking in the health care industry.” (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2301623 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:00:00 +0100 2301623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2222894&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2F27%2Fpresident-obamas-budget-health-reform%2F President Barack Obama’s budget, presented at a joint session of Congress on February 25, sets aside a reserve fund of $634 billion for financing health system reforms. President Obama explained his goal:  “Because of crushing health care costs and the fact that they drag down our economy, bankrupt our families, and represent the fastest-growing part of our budget, we must make it a priority to give every single American quality, affordable health care.” Funding Reform With health spending projected to reach $4.4 trillion by 2018, health policy observers are asking whether the budget will provide the “down payment” on health reform the President is seeking. Health Affairs Editor-in-Chief Susan Dentzer spoke last night on the PBS Newshour with Jim Lehrer: “I think the really im... Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2222894 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:57:01 +0100 2222894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284293&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FFv4AH6OZReM%2F The Obama Administration is unveiling its budget today. His remarks, released this morning, regarding health care included: Because of crushing health care costs and the fact that they drag down our economy, bankrupt our families, and represent the fastest-growing part of our budget, we must make it a priority to give every single American quality, affordable health care. That’s why this budget builds on what we have already done over the last month to expand coverage for millions more children, to computerize health records to cut waste and reduce medical errors, which save, by the way, not only tax dollars, but lives. With this budget, we are making a historic commitment to comprehensive health care reform. It’s a step that will not only make families healthier and companies ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284293 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:00:09 +0100 2284293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2206824&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2F22%2Fhealth-affairs-briefing-stimulating-health-information-technology%2F There is widespread agreement that greater investment in information technology (IT) is critical to reforming U.S. health care. The use of such technologies as electronic health record systems, personal health records, e-prescribing, and computerized physician order entry holds the potential for vastly improving care at a reasonable cost. The recently enacted economic stimulus legislation included [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2206824 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:51:15 +0100 2206824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2200825&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2F20%2Fnurse-wages-in-california%2F Wages for registered nurses (RNs) increased faster in California than elsewhere after California began implementing landmark legislation mandating minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in acute care hospitals, according to a study published last week in Health Affairs (and free online through February 24). In 1999, Gov. Gray Davis (D) signed legislation making California the first state in [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2200825 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:23:34 +0100 2200825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2184889&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2F538407682%2Ftubal-ligation-reversal-after-40-tubal-reversal-process.html This article describes the process involved in scheduling an outpatient tubal ligation reversal at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2184889 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:43:55 +0100 2184889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2513509&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2FtJSQCVG6whs%2Ftubal-ligation-reversal-after-40-tubal-reversal-process.html This article describes the process involved in scheduling an outpatient tubal ligation reversal at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2513509 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:24:11 +0100 2513509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182957&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2F12%2Fpatient-power-for-chronic-illness%2F For a long time, I have believed the greatest potential for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) is in the treatment of chronic illness. I even wrote some fictional vignettes in a “vision” chapter in the National Center for Policy Analysis’ Handbook On State Health Care Reform, describing how HSAs might work for diabetics and other patients. [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182957 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:22:09 +0100 2182957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182368&cid=t_375917_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2009%2F02%2F11%2Fobamas-assumptions-related-to-health-care-it-investment%2F I’ve been thinking a lot about the legislation that’s about to hit the fan in regards to investment in healthcare IT and in particular EHR and EMR softare. My biggest fear in this whole process is that the underlying assumptions being made will turn out to be wrong. The following is a list of assumptions I’ve seen made in regards to the government’s investment in healthcare IT and EHR and its possible benefits. I’ll also offer a few comments on each assumption for people to consider. Cost savings - The largest savings I’ve seen a medical practice receive from EHR implementation is in saved transcription costs. There’s some small savings from charting supplies and the like. Otherwise, where are the cost savings occurring? My guess is that if you pol... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182368 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:24:15 +0100 2182368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2177422&cid=t_375917_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FevQEhoQ1gpA%2F I’ve been thinking a lot about the legislation that’s about to hit the fan in regards to investment in healthcare IT and in particular EHR and EMR softare. My biggest fear in this whole process is that the underlying assumptions being made will turn out to be wrong. The following is a list of assumptions I’ve seen made in regards to the government’s investment in healthcare IT and EHR and its possible benefits. I’ll also offer a few comments on each assumption for people to consider. Cost savings - The largest savings I’ve seen a medical practice receive from EHR implementation is in saved transcription costs. There’s some small savings from charting supplies and the like. Otherwise, where are the cost savings occurring? My guess is that if you pol... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2177422 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:24:15 +0100 2177422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2513510&cid=t_375917_177_f&fid=38133&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTubalReversalBlog%2F%7E3%2Fz7TFAX0u5_8%2Ftubal-reversal-after-40-risks.html The tubal ligation reversal experts of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center provide a detailed list of the risks of tubal ligation reversal surgery in part four of a series of articles dedicated to women over the age of 40 who may be considering tubal ligation reversal. Using their extensive patient database, they provide estimates of the risk of each occurrence so patients can evaluate whether tubal ligation reversal is the right choice for them. (Source: Tubal Reversal Blog) Tubal Reversal Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2513510 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:14:10 +0100 2513510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2153061&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2F02%2Fseeking-value-in-health-care%2F With the U.S. tab for health care approaching one dollar out of every five, a key question on the health reform agenda is how to achieve value in health care. Jeanne Lambrew, the new deputy director of the White House Office on Health Reform, spoke this morning to nearly 800 health policy wonks at the [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2153061 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:05:58 +0100 2153061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2137973&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F01%2F27%2Fobamas-economic-stimulus-and-health-priorities%2F In President Barack Obama’s first weekly video address to the nation this Saturday, he outlined his proposed stimulus package, including efforts on the health care front: “To lower health care cost, cut medical errors, and improve care, we’ll computerize the nation’s health record in five years, saving billions of dollars in health care costs and [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2137973 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:00:39 +0100 2137973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2134858&cid=t_375917_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2Fi42VdiOBM0M%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(320,212,536684,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() Have you heard the thought that aspirin, specifically anti-inflammatory aspirin, is helpful in preventing diabetes? Well researchers took this same concept and applied it to low-dose aspirin. The result? That low-dose aspirin, while having many other healthful benefits, does not help prevent Type 2 diabetes. David S. H. Bell, MD, an Endocrine Today Editorial Board member, said: “This finding is not surprising since low dose aspirin was utilized. High dose aspirin or other salicylates, which are truly anti-inflammatory, have been shown to decrease insulin resistance and perhaps improve beta cell function. Clinical trials to evaluate the effect... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2134858 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:38:03 +0100 2134858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2132568&cid=t_375917_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2FNO1oEDVrOSM%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(320,483,536673,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() This is news NO diabetic likes to hear. Larry Miller, who owns the pro basketball team the Utah Jazz, has “had both of his legs amputated 6 inches below the knee.” Mr. Miller has Type 2 diabetes and has been using a wheelchair even before the surgery. We wish Mr. Miller a speedy recovery. Our thoughts go out to you! Tags: amputation, amputee, budget, complications, Diabetes Management, diabetic, diabetic resources, fitness, healthy diet, joining a gym, larry miller, low cost fitness, managing blood sugar, managing diabetes, oats, planning time for fitness, pro basketball owner, reduce complications, Research, stave off complications, sta... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2132568 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:29:05 +0100 2132568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2132569&cid=t_375917_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2FQfXSVFBHRQM%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(320,213,536651,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() One of the most frustrating things about diabetes is that you often get other ailments along with it. As soon as you get diagnosed with diabetes, you are automatically at risk for other diseases such as heart disease or stroke. It’s one reason diabetes is such a difficult disease to deal with. Emotionally and physically, it takes a toll. That’s why I like to here news like this. Researchers at Sanford have received “an American Diabetes Association Career Development Award to help understand why people who have diabetes often die from heart disease or stroke.” The grant is in excess of $870,000 and will be paid out over five... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2132569 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:28:23 +0100 2132569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2131511&cid=t_375917_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2FDkMifxumQvM%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(320,320,534868,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() Here’s a scary thought: With all the lay offs happening these days workers are finding it increasingly difficult to keep their health insurance. That’s ESPECIALLY frightening for diabetics. A survey over at CNN says that in 2007, “researchers found that two-thirds of workers, if they were laid off, would be eligible for COBRA. Data from 2006 data suggest that only 9 percent would opt into the program.” Since costs are higher now, that problem is probably even more prevalent. It’s difficult. I know one of my fears has always been that I wouldn’t have health insurance. I’ve stayed at jobs I hated because of t... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2131511 Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:44:25 +0100 2131511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2131512&cid=t_375917_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2FaE6CUbHuUYA%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(320,470,533795,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler has been vocal about getting diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last year, and he’s helping to bring awareness to the cause. He’s teamed up with Eli Lilly & Co. and their “Inspired by Diabetes” campaign to help send Type 1 diabetic children to summer camps. “Inspired by Diabetes” is a campaign to help bring families together to help raise awareness to the “global burden” of the disease. Cutler has said, “Diabetes is the toughest opponent I’ve ever faced, but I wasn’t going to let it slow down my career. And kids don’t have to let it stop t... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2131512 Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:30:09 +0100 2131512 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2125522&cid=t_375917_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2FqKmjRjHLkWw%2F Image from Brenda Novak. Remember Brenda Novak? She’s the writer who has managed to raise over a half million dollars for diabetes research in just a couple of years. She’s also having a giveaway to win a tote with signed copies of her books, among other treats! Enter to win and if you do, by all means come back here and tell us! Tags: amazon, announcements, blog contest, brenda novak, budget, diabetic resources, fitness, free stuff, gift certificate, giveaway, healthy diet, joining a gym, low cost fitness, managing blood sugar, managing diabetes, oats, planning time for fitness, prize, reduce complications, Research, stave off complications, staying healthy, study, sweepstakes, time to exercise, walking, winShare This (Source: Diabetes Notes) Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2125522 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:49:26 +0100 2125522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2121938&cid=t_375917_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesnotes.com%2Fenter-to-win-brenda-novaks-books%2F Image from Brenda Novak. Remember Brenda Novak? She’s the writer who has managed to raise over a half million dollars for diabetes research in just a couple of years. She’s also having a giveaway to win a tote with signed copies of her books, among other treats! Enter to win and if you do, by all means come back here and tell us! Tags: amazon, announcements, blog contest, brenda novak, budget, diabetic resources, fitness, free stuff, gift certificate, giveaway, healthy diet, joining a gym, low cost fitness, managing blood sugar, managing diabetes, oats, planning time for fitness, prize, reduce complications, Research, stave off complications, staying healthy, study, sweepstakes, time to exercise, walking, winShare This (Source: Diabetes Notes) Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2121938 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:49:26 +0100 2121938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2116086&cid=t_375917_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2FQ01AXW2vNSE%2F In this latest “Putting a Face on Diabetes” post, we’re talking with Andrew Mandell, or as many of you might know him: Mr. Diabetes. We first told you about him last month during his mission to “walk around the perimeter of the continental United States” to help bring awareness to diabetes research. Mr. Mandell has an inspiring story but more than that, his story will motivate YOU to take action in your own life! I especially like his final word to us. Read on. Image from Mr. Diabetes. What type of diabetes do you have? Type 2 - insulin-dependent. Self management, along with proper medical oversight, is key to ensure effective diabetes control. When was it diagnosed, and how? 1985 at 40 years old. Long overdue medical checkup. My lifestyle was active and I f... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2116086 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:05:23 +0100 2116086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2110798&cid=t_375917_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F8CqaRfcNLEI%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(320,212,506407,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() Recently we gave away a 4-mile walk DVD, and the comment of our winner was that she was glad to have won because she didn’t like walking alone. I can relate to this. I don’t mind exercising alone if I’m at home, but for some reason whenever I go to the gym or walk outside I wish I had someone with me. Of course, there are ways to find someone to go with, or at least to make it “feel” like you have someone. For example: Workout DVDs I have quite a few of Leslie Sansone’s walking DVDs. I love her energy level and really feel like it’s a great workout to do at home. I pop them in and regardless of the weather ... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2110798 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:08:37 +0100 2110798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2111011&cid=t_375917_113_f&fid=36504&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicalRecordShow%2F%7E3%2F512728618%2F In what seems like a consistent extension of President-elect Obama’s recent statements on healthcare, Tom Daschle called for a rethinking of the problem, and constructive action to fix it, during a January 8th Senate Hearing. This AAFP article summarized his statements nicely. As a primary care physician involved in medial IT and EMR’s, it’s difficult to find fault with his ideas: Fleshing-out the base of the wellness pyramid: primary care medicine, which is currently the tiny tip of an inverted pyramid Incentivizing primary care medicine via reimbursement reform and tuition assistance Focusing on outcomes as a basis for Medicare payments, especially improved outcomes at a lower cost Making corrective action to fix the system a reality Interoperability among EMR’s ... The EMR/EHR Show: Making Your Electronic Medical Records Really Work blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2111011 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:24:04 +0100 2111011 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2104746&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F01%2F14%2Fcomplete-the-work-on-health-information-technology%2F President-elect Barack Obama and President George W. Bush may disagree on many topics, but they clearly agree on one thing: information technology is essential to reforming our health care system. They see the evidence that information technology prevents errors that kill tens of thousands of American each year, reduces waste and duplication that cost up [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2104746 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:51:07 +0100 2104746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2104747&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=35747&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthaffairs.org%2Fblog%2F2009%2F01%2F14%2Ftop-20-health-affairs-journal-articles-for-2008%2F We are pleased to announce the “most-read” Health Affairs journal articles published in 2008. The number 1 article has topped 61,000 pageviews to date. The next two articles, which were published in September, analyzed the presidential candidates’ health plans. All articles below are open to all readers for the next 2 weeks—through January 28, 2009. Measuring [...] (Source: Health Affairs Blog) Health Affairs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2104747 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:13:56 +0100 2104747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2097786&cid=t_375917_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F01%2Fcrisis-in-health-care-funding-better-to.html Articles that worry about the rising costs of health care and hand wring about what we are to do about it are a dime a dozen. Still, Washington Post Science and Medical Reporter David Brown has written a lengthy article that presents a good summary of the problem. From the story: This difficult truth, which has emerged over the past half-century, is leading the United States and the rest of the industrialized world into a new era of humankind. We are on a collision course between our wish to live longer, healthier lives and our capacity to pay for that wish. Whether we can somehow avoid the collision is perhaps the most important domestic issue of this century. From now on, health care costs will be up there with globalization, terrorism and climate change as a force shaping our world.So t... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2097786 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:01:00 +0100 2097786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2096062&cid=t_375917_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F0IvYtYCxiMA%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(420,279,491669,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() Here’s some interesting news. “Diabetic persons spend an average of $11,000 more than persons without diabetes. Preventative programs with a fitness protocol could save the U.S. $20 million on diabetic patients alone.” Well, that’s true. Much of our costs are in trying to be healthy and maintaining an ideal weight. However, much of the cost diabetics incur is due to things like test strips (so incredibly expensive it’s ridiculous), needles, and of course, insulin. So I’m not sure how much more we’d “save” by losing weight in terms of money. But, it’s definitely worth it to lose weight and g... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2096062 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:15:05 +0100 2096062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2096063&cid=t_375917_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2FnYX0Gr1TUfY%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(320,213,491623,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() You already know how I feel about some research studies. I’d rather have every scientist around focusing 24/7 on a cure for diabetes than have studies that seem to research common sense things. For example, this news story says researchers “in Scotland are going to try to determine if the side effects of type 2 diabetes can be managed through a diet full of oat-rich cereals.” The Scottish government is forking over $305,000 to help fund this study, which will go on for 16-weeks and involve 60 people. They are trying to study if eating more oats will stave off Type 2 diabetes and also improve insulin control. I’m already here ... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2096063 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:13:33 +0100 2096063