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 'insurance companies'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:04:52 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107514&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fphysician-discusses-the-confusing-aspects-of-medicare-part-d%2F2011.08.09 I have discussed Medicare Part B and Part F in recent blogs. A reader asked about Medicare Part D: Dr. Feld “Please discuss Medicare Part D, the drug benefit plan available to seniors. It is very complicated and completely confusing to me. My physician gave me a prescription for Levequin 500 mg once a day for 10 days. The pharmacist told me it would cost me $330 dollars. Medicare Part D would pay an additional $110 dollars for a total of $440 dollars. I asked the pharmacist if there was a generic equivalent. The answer was yes. It cost $10 dollars. This is unconscionable. It is highway robbery. Sincerely a.g.” Several issues are presented in this readers note. It is essential to understand these issues. The issues are an indictment against government “controlled” programs. (m... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107514 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:00:44 +0100 5107514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069475&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhat-is-the-most-costly-healthcare-expenditure%2F2011.07.27 The National Institute for Healthcare Management Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on healthcare. The foundation just published an excellent report on the distribution of  healthcare costs in the population. The results indicate that reducing healthcare cost is all about reducing and managing chronic diseases. U.S. healthcare spending has sharply increased between 2005 and 2009 by 23 percent from $2 trillion to $2.5 trillion per year. This is a result of a combination of factors. Chief among them is the increasing incidence of obesity. Who spends the money? (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Repairing the Healthcare System* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069475 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:00:54 +0100 5069475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062226&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FFGsoGrS2IEA%2F I’ve argued that the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill does not end “too-big-to-fail”, that is the belief that certain companies are implicitly backed by the government because policy-makers are unlikely to let said institutions actually fail. By naming some companies as ”systemically important” — as required by Dodd-Frank — the government is actually sending a signal as to who is likely to be bailed out. As evidenced by regulators’ behavior during the financial crisis, the prime beneficiaries would be the creditors of these companies, as even when shareholders and management suffered, creditors generally did not. This should allow such firms to borrow at a cost lower than firms not deemed systemically important. Given this funding... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062226 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:53:37 +0100 5062226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975829&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FRiV-GAJmBbo%2F By Michael F. CannonHere we have the spectacle of a former Republican Health and Human Services secretary getting rich by helping states implement ObamaCare. Leavitt Partners (among other consultants) is helping states create the law’s health insurance “Exchanges.” Or the non-ObamaCare-compliant health insurance Exchanges that will by law become ObamaCare-compliant Exchanges.  Via Politico: More than $300 million in exchange grants has already flowed into the states since the Affordable Care Act passed. That number will grow exponentially in the coming months, as states move from the initial steps of passing exchange legislation to the more lucrative task of setting them up. For health consultants and information technology vendors, it’s already shaping up to be a gold mine&#8... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975829 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:41:55 +0100 4975829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622270&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2011%2F03%2F22%2Fdoctor-shopping-and-insurance-fraud-and-asshat-patients-oh-my%2F Man, these folks are coming out of the woodwork! Had a lady call me for a refill (on we'll say 3/19) on her (surprise) Norco 10/325 last week because she was (surprise) going out of town. It had been 9 days since we had refilled it. The prescription was for 50 tablets taken every 6 hours. I put it in as a 13 day supply. I told her that it would be "a few more days" before it could be filled. She, of course, did not agree with me. She tried to tell me that it was a 12-day supply and we, meaning my pharmacy, "always fill it three days early." Well, she's wrong...maybe two days early...on a 30 day supply...if the patient isn't a problem.... The fact that she argued with me about filling it early, about it being a 12 day supply versus a 13 day supply, and told me what MY pharmacy always does g... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622270 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 04:37:33 +0100 4622270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4605851&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2011%2F03%2F17%2Funfortunately-this-is-a-true-story%2F I swear on the life of my unborn children that the following conversation is almost 100% exactly as it happened. Right as it concluded, I went and recorded a "note" on my iPhone to help me remember this idiocy... ---------------------------- "I was wondering, if I brought a list of my medicines up here, could you tell me how much each of them would cost?" "Are you on file here? And do you have insurance?" "I've never been here before, but I have Paid insurance." "Well then, unfortunately, I cannot. Your best be would be to look on the back of your card and call the Member Services or Customer Service number listed there. They can tell you exactly how much each prescription will cost. All I can give you here is the cash price which doesn't do you any good when your insurance will foot the b... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4605851 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 03:37:20 +0100 4605851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592418&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2011%2F03%2F15%2Fhow-to-get-a-prior-authorization-rn-style%2F This is a message for all you nurses out there. This post is now the PREMIER AUTHORITY on how to get prior authorizations -- in  STEP BY STEP FASHION. It's an overly simple 4 and 1/2  step process.  As a wonderful "side effect" of this process, you will waste at least one week of a pharmacist's time and, an added bonus, really piss them off as well. It's a win-win for every RN! 4) REPLY TO ALL FAXES REQUESTING YOU GET A PRIOR AUTHORIZATION BY SIGNING IT AND AUTHORIZING "1+2" REFILLS. This is a GREAT way to both waste a pharmacist's time and really frustrate them. In most instances, they've told the patient 48-72 hours. By replying to the fax with refills, you show that you really want the patient to get the medicine, but it shows the pharmacy that you've got better things to do than rea... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592418 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 06:10:13 +0100 4592418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575065&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2011%2F03%2F11%2Fscaring-a-doctor-shopper-straight-before-its-too-late%2F Young lady brought in a prescription today for #14 Vicodin. I'm not sure why doctor shoppers haven't figured this out yet, but one of those ignorant comments you make is, "I DON'T WANT THIS RUN ON MY INSURANCE!" That comment immediately raises my suspicion level. Now, this young lady didn't say that -- it was a variant that can be equally suspicious, "How much does this cost? Cash Price. I no longer have insurance." The fact someone says this isn't always suspicious, but the fact she said it twice (and awkwardly at that) did set off my bullshit detector. She told me that she wasn't on file -- luckily she was -- and lookie there....A MEDICAID CARD! I, of course, didn't tell her that I had this information. I ran it, and low and behold, it rejects. I call up Medicaid to inquire about doses, ... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575065 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:19:23 +0100 4575065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560268&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F1438%2F0%2Finsurers-save-obamacare.mp3 Podcast: Health insurance premiums all over the country are rising at rates that, only a year ago, were rare, and when they occurred, provoked angry and threatening letters from Secretary Sebelius. Increases in premiums of 40% are not uncommon this year, and businesses across the land (which otherwise might be inclined to do their patriotic duty, as defined by President Obama, and hire some people) are suffering because of it. Republicans, of course, already smell blood in the water. A federal judge has declared Obamacare – the entire law – to be unconstitutional, and has given the administration only a limited time to apply for a stay of his ruling. President Obama himself seems to be faltering on the individual mandate, telling states that they can forgo this mandate –... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560268 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:36:08 +0100 4560268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4554625&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2011%2F03%2F06%2Fdoes-anyone-fix-inhalers%2F var addthis_product = 'wpp-252'; var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};I had a guy come in today with a broken Ventolin HFA. He had OBVIOUSLY broken it. As you know, you can remove the cannister from the plastic delivery device. At the bottom of this cannister is a little white piece of plastic. When this piece is pressed, the aerosol is given an exit from the cannister. Usually, this is directed out of the plasic device. Well, this old man had broken the white piece off, somehow, to where it cannot be pressed in at all. Obviously, this is my fault. Additionally, he had the plastic device jammed into a Aerochamber in reverse -- so if you somehow were able to dispense a dose, it would spray upwards rather than into the chamber. Now, I can see how one could say that this is mere... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4554625 Sun, 06 Mar 2011 07:48:58 +0100 4554625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405776&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fstate-of-healthcare-in-the-union%2F2011.01.27 Short and sweet. That’s how President Obama addressed healthcare reform in his State of the Union address [Tuesday] night. In less than 700 words, he outlined how he’d improve but not retreat on what’s been enacted into law. He’s willing to work on changes, he said, naming malpractice reform and reducing onerous paperwork burdens for small businesses. But, he cautioned, “What I’m not willing to do is go back to the days when insurance companies could deny someone coverage because of a pre-existing condition.” President Obama had invited two real people to his address to highlight the law’s successes. One is a brain cancer survivor who can access health insurance through high-risk pools created by the law. The other is a small business owner w... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405776 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:00:00 +0100 4405776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405798&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2011%2F01%2F26%2Fpharmacy-class-of-trade%2F I got the following message from Steve Moore, an independent Pharmacy owner. I wasn't sure what to do with it or how to share it with the world. Therefore, I'm just going to post it here for all to see. I'm not going to post his contact info, but he's welcome to post that in the comments section (as well as links and references). --------------- My name is Steve Moore and I am an independent pharmacy owner from New York.  I am wondering if you would consider sharing your thoughts on the following topic, one I think that most pharmacists would be interested in. When it comes to business side of our profession, most pharmacists don't have a clue as to what is going on.  As an owner, it affects me more than most, and I don't comprehend all of the complexities.  After speaking to some other... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405798 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 04:53:20 +0100 4405798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343224&cid=t_165028_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FZZlCOmAUG3M%2F I have often found doctors talking about the 2014 mandate for adoption of EHR software. In fact, this post was inspired by a bunch of people searching online for the term “2014 EHR Mandate.” I think that they found my site because I previously did this post about Obama’s goal of Full EHR adoption by 2014. If I’m remembering right, this was actually just an extension of Bush’s goal of having 100% EHR adoption by 2014. Obama took Bush’s original EMR aspiration and kept it going. Although, I do have a real problem with people who like to call it an EHR mandate. It’s really not a mandate. A mandate for me implies that you are required to do it or there’s some grave consequence to it. It’s not like you’re going to be thrown in jail for... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343224 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:00:37 +0100 4343224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4324809&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2011%2F01%2F08%2Frequirements-versus-services%2F The smart alecks that post wise guy comments on my, and other pharmacist websites, usually only have one or two things they say regarding the worth of pharmacists. The root of their hatred for the profession that does so much for the common citizen is seeded in their jealousy of the wages paid to such highly trained professionals. Along the same lines, they only see pieces of paper (money and prescriptions) coming in and bottles filled with 30 pills each going out. Haters see it as overly simplified. Exoterically, from the outside looking in, it is, but for those of us that spent 6 to 8 years getting a doctorate, we don't agree. Compared to backbreaking labor outside in the hot sun, I can at least understand. I've also had a recent brash of problems with patients being rude/uncaring about ... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4324809 Sat, 08 Jan 2011 06:15:50 +0100 4324809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214104&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F1132%2F0%2Finsurers_utilities.mp3 Podcast: One of DrRich’s most dearly held theories, which he has expounded upon at length, is that the American health insurance industry supported Obamacare from the very beginning (and continues to do so) because the President’s plan offers them a graceful exit strategy from their now-defunct business model. Without Obamacare, the health insurance industry was headed toward sure oblivion. With Obamacare, they are headed toward – something else. The remarkable and sustained actions the insurance industry took in support of Obamacare, DrRich continues to submit, is all the evidence that one should need to conclude that a deal has been struck. But even DrRich has had to admit that it has never been entirely clear what, exactly, the deal was. What were the health insurance... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214104 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:04:18 +0100 4214104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190148&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fworkers-compensation-a-model-for-the-future-of-american-healthcare%2F2010.11.22 There’s a country with an unusual healthcare system. In it, you often spend about as much time with your lawyer as you do your doctor. There are special courts set up to decide what kinds of treatment you are allowed to have. And doctors have to be careful that they don’t say or do the wrong thing, or else they risk being blackballed by insurance companies. The country:  The United States of America. You may not realize it, but if you hurt your back at work you end up in a different healthcare system than if you hurt your back at home. Sure, you may end up with similar doctors or hospitals, but your experience of healthcare will be completely different. Here’s why. If you get hurt at work, you’re covered by the “workers compensation” system. That system has its roots over ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190148 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 02:00:49 +0100 4190148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190150&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-rationing-of-healthcare%2F2010.11.22 Do you recall the severe rationing of food and water the Chilean miners had to endure to survive? The rationing was done to stretch their limited resources. I would argue the state of Arizona’s new policy to not cover organ transplants for patients on Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) or their version of Medicaid is a similar form of rationing. AHCCCS, as many Medicaid programs, is underfunded. They are trying to operate on a limited budget. Something has to give. Sadly in this case, many (NPR reports 98) had already been granted approval for organ transplants which they may not receive. Francisco Felix, 32, who due to hepatitis-C needs a liver transplant, is reported to have made it to the operating room, prepped and ready for his life-saving liver transplant when d... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190150 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:00:00 +0100 4190150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190147&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F1097%2F0%2Fwarning-republicans.mp3 Podcast: Regular readers will know that DrRich is not enamored with Obamacare. Further, they will recall that DrRich’s chief objection to Obamacare is that it codifies into law the final destruction of the classic doctor-patient relationship. Under Obamacare, the physician is not only released from her fiduciary obligation to her individual patient (i.e., the obligation to place the interests of the patient above all other considerations), but is strictly forbidden from acting in accordance with it. Indeed, elaborate mechanisms are established to assure that physicians will follow the directives which are to be handed down from omnipotent and immutable government panels, directives which will be explicitly aimed at optimizing collective rather than individual outcomes. And whereas p... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190147 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:42:48 +0100 4190147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074062&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fun-insurance-reform%2F2010.10.15 Who doesn’t need insurance reform? Why, the insurers like Aetna, Cigna, and BCS Insurance, that’s who! From Emergency Physicians Monthly: By threatening to raise health care premiums by 200 percent or threatening to drop coverage altogether, the companies got the Department of Health and Human Services to cave. Now the companies have our government’s blessing to continue offering “insurance” to their employees that is capped at a few thousand dollars per year instead of the $750,000 required in the health care law. Perhaps GruntDoc said it best: “I am not an Obamacare fan, and would like it repealed, with smaller, more focused Bipartisan fixes, but if the government is going to pass something then roll over this easily to special interests… it’s already worse th... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074062 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:00:00 +0100 4074062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053289&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-to-pick-good-health-insurance%2F2010.10.10 Unless your doctor is a policy expert, in healthcare administration, a researcher, an author or blogger, I seriously doubt he will be reviewing an important report card that helps you pick the best health insurance plan that keeps you healthy. Published annually by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), this year’s report card ranks 227 health plans across the country on their ability to keep you healthy and well, treat you quickly, and how patients feel about their insurance coverage. Because unlike banking or airlines where there is not much difference in ATM machines or planes, there is a big difference in whether a health insurance plan helps in keeping its enrollees healthy. Do children get their vaccinations? Do healthy mothers get screened for breast cancer or ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053289 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:00:00 +0100 4053289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993823&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2010%2F09%2Fprofit-seeking-health-insurers-seek-profits.html DAVE DRANOVE No one who sees this headline should read any further. There is no news here. So why is everyone getting lathered up about it? Let me explain. Healthcare reform becomes official this week, as many of the provisions... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993823 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3993823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865263&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcheckups-for-you-checkmarks-for-your-doctor%2F2010.08.13 My car was making a chirping noise when I drove forward and a high-pitched whine when I went in reverse, so I took it into the mechanic and, while he’s under the hood, for some long-deferred routine maintenance (an oil change). So when the phone rang, I was expecting him to tell me I need new brakes. Nope, it’s the pharmacy, which can’t refill a prescription. I have to see the doctor in person. I’m not sick, but I’d deferred my routine maintenance for too long. In this case, because I’m on a maintenance drug, he needs to check my blood pressure (which by this point was rising). (more…) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865263 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3865263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827064&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F809%2F0%2Fsaveobamacareimplications.mp3 Why Big Health Insurance Supported Obamacare, Part IV Podcast: In the past few posts (in particular, here and here), DrRich has shown why the health insurance industry embraced Obamacare, and indeed, took extraordinary steps to assure that Obamacare became the law of the land. This, of course, is especially interesting in light of the common perception that Obamacare constitutes a major defeat for the greedy health insurance industry. But the fact that big health insurance gave critical support to Obamacare is far more than merely interesting. It has major implications both to supporters of Obamacare, especially the ones who hope for an eventual single-payer outcome, and to opponents of Obamacare, many of whom hope to repeal it after the 2010 mid-term elections. For the health insurance i... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827064 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:00:46 +0100 3827064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3812973&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F720%2F0%2Fhowsaveobamacare.mp3 Why Big Health Insurance Supported Obamacare, Part III Podcast: As we have seen, the fact that the health insurance industry was going to support healthcare reform after the 2008 elections was a foregone conclusion.  The question was: How would the insurance industry support healthcare reform? When the time came, the support the insurance industry gave to President Obama’s efforts to reform healthcare followed four simple rules: 1) Do not actively oppose Obamacare. In stark contrast to its behavior during the Clinton’s effort to reform healthcare in 1993-94, this time the insurance industry never engaged its vast public relations resources to stifle healthcare reform.  There was no Harry and Louise this time. (Actually, Harry and Louise – the original actors – di... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3812973 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:02:01 +0100 3812973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808666&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Flife-insurance-companies-and-cancer-survivors%2F2010.08.01 I have always heard that Northwestern Mutual Life (“The Quiet Company”) was a grade-A company. And for years I have been happy to have a disability insurance policy and a term life one with them. I got those policies back in the early 1990s, and it was a good thing I did. In 1996 my health changed. I was diagnosed with leukemia. I knew I was very lucky to have insurance in place because, as many told me: “You’ll never get insurance now.” Now fast-forward 14 years, and 10 years after receiving treatment in a phase II clinical trial. I have no evidence of disease and have not had any evidence for nine years. The drug therapy I received in a trial has now been approved by the FDA and in Europe as the standard of care. People are living well with this leukemia and it is extending li... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808666 Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:00:44 +0100 3808666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3802382&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F709%2F0%2Fwhysupportobamacare.mp3 Why Big Health Insurance Supported Obamacare, Part II Podcast: The fact that the health insurance industry supported Obamacare from the very beginning was entirely missed by the mainstream press. This is perhaps understandable, since a) the mainstream press does not understand the dynamics of the healthcare system, and b) during the Obamacare drama, the health insurance companies had been assigned, and had graciously accepted, their vital role as the Forces of Evil. To the famously credulous members of the mainstream press, it was easy to imagine that the insurers were actually among the opposition. But the insurance industry supported Obamacare from the start – and even before the start. During the Presidential race of 2008, for instance, managed care companies donated far more mon... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3802382 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:52:16 +0100 3802382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3794770&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F634%2F0%2Fkeptthebust.mp3 Podcast: When President Obama moved into the White House in January of 2009, he found in the Oval Office a bust of Sir Winston Churchill, a gift from Great Britain to the United States during the Reagan presidency, a gift meant to symbolize the close ties between our two nations. The new President quickly decided he did not want to look at it. And, as one of the first acts of his presidency (before advancing his Stimulus Package, or pushing healthcare reform, or even inviting Andy Stern to dinner), he had that bust placed into a crate, packed with sawdust, and shipped by the afternoon mail right back to England. DrRich can think of several reasons why it might have been a better idea, instead of beginning his reign with a completely gratuitous insult to America’s longest and best an... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3794770 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:11:25 +0100 3794770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776380&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-insurance-companies-help-kill-primary-care%2F2010.07.21 Most doctors have a love/hate (and mainly hate) relationship with health insurance companies. We struggle with their confusing and complex coding rules in an effort to be reimbursed for our care of patients. When patients leave the office, they may think that a bill is sent to their insurance company and payment follows. More often than not it rarely happens that way. I am staring at an explanation of benefits (EOB) from Blue Shield of California for a patient I saw for a physical exam and Pap test. This patient had recently been hospitalized with a life threatening throat infection and abscess and saw me for needed follow up. I spent about 45 minutes with the patient, reviewing the events leading to hospitalization, coordinating the medications, as well as addressing the routine screening... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776380 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:00:00 +0100 3776380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718364&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fgovernment-healthcare-site-launches%2F Today a new government site launched, Healthcare.gov, aiming to inform the public about what their best (and cheapest) options for insurance are, and what changes will take place under the new healthcare bill. Sounds like a good idea to us. It might piss off insurance companies, but it seems like a step in the right direction for the American public. Not only does it make information more accessible, but you can even follow the site on Twitter @HealthCareGov for up-to-date information about insurance and health care. We doubt their tweets will make you LOL as much as some Twitter buds, but they’ll probably help save you money and get better health care. Post from: BlissTree Government Healthcare Site Launches (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718364 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:36:22 +0100 3718364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3618107&cid=t_165028_160_f&fid=36189&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skinmdblog.com%2F140%2Fmole-removal-by-a-dermatologist%2F Mole removal should only be performed by a dermatologist.  Here’s what you can expect to happen during your appointment. Your medical and family history will first be taken.  You may be asked questions about any family history of skin cancer.  Although most moles are benign, those that are unusual in appearance (size, shape or color) may be cancerous. If cancer is suspected, a biopsy will be done.  Depending on the type of cancer that is suspected, the biopsy may involve removing it completely.  For example, if a melanoma is suspected, at least a portion will be removed for microscopic evaluation. Insurance companies will not pay for removing benign moles for cosmetic reasons, but if some type of cancer is suspected, the procedure is a medical necessity and will be covered.  Typica... Skin MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3618107 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:48:27 +0100 3618107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3440811&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2010%2F04%2F06%2F1438%2F I received the following note from MATT through the recently updated and added CONTACT FORM. Beneath that is my response. On April 5, 2010 at 6:33 PM Matt wrote: > To: TheAngriestPharmacist > > From: > Matt > fuzimatt@yahoo.com > > Title: > Technician > > I have read the rules and promise to not be a dick. > option-selected > Message: > So the other day were about to fill a woman’s refills like we usually > do. However, as soon as we submitted it we got the rejection refill no > longer covered. We’ve seen it before and it usually means mail order. > This time was different. She has coverage through CVS/Caremark so > we call them and ask what’s up. They tell us she needs to now visit > the CVS pharmacy 15 minutes away f... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3440811 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 05:33:44 +0100 3440811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3403892&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2010%2F03%2F24%2Fstupid-rules-written-by-stupid-people-to-punish-the-intelligent%2F In case you haven’t been f.ed in the ass by this one by your state’s controlled drug agency on this one yet, go ahead and get out the vaseline and bend over. My state’s “DEA” has announced their intentions of a new way to throw a wrench in pharmacy operations once again. As of April 1st, pharmacies can no longer add, edit, modify, change, or even WRITE on the face of a C-II prescription in my state. THE HELL YOU SAY! In the past, pharmacies could modify a few things, even on a C-II prescription. The way I remembered it was, “NAME-NAME-NAME.” We could NOT change (or add) the NAME of the patient, NAME of the drug, or NAME of the doctor. All other things could be added of omitted or edited of incorrect. This, in my opinion, is the best policy. It give... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3403892 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:53:49 +0100 3403892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3382821&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=38962&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbeatblog.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fhighlights-from-the-reconciliation-bill-and-maggies-comments-on-the-changes.html Overall, the changes in the reconciliation bill will make the Senate bill more progressive—and fairer.My prediction: the bill will pass. Those who oppose universal coverage are becoming angrier, louder, more abusive, and more frantic. This is because they realize that they are losing, and now they are just flailing about.This evening (Thursday) I heard Bart Stupak acknowledge, on “Hardball with Chris Matthews”, that while the Democrats may not have the votes today, by Sunday, they could well have them. On this, I agree with Stupak.Below, the details of the new bill, and my comments in red. Under the new reconciliation bill: Low-income and middle-income families will have an easier time affording premiums. The tax credits for health insurance premiums are more generous for ... Health Beat blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3382821 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:39:29 +0100 3382821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378463&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FoUsfeofrzc0%2F By Michael F. CannonFrom the invaluable Tim Carney: The Obama team regularly dismisses opponents as industry lackeys. The Democratic National Committee blasted out e-mails this week warning that “for every member of Congress, there are eight anti-reform lobbyists swarming Capitol Hill” and “Congress is under attack from insurance lobbyists.” But drug industry lobbyists, according to Politico, spent the weekend “huddled with Democratic staffers” who needed the drug lobby to “sign off” on proposals before moving ahead. Meanwhile, we learn that the drug lobby is buying millions of dollars of ads in 43 districts where a Democratic candidate stands to suffer for supporting the bill. The doctors’ lobby and the hospitals’ lobby are also ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378463 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:20:44 +0100 3378463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366215&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2010%2F03%2F15%2Fundercover-boss%2F I watched Undercover Boss this evening, and I’ve decided I really like this show. They are, of course, taking hours and hours of footage and combining it together to show us something that will affect us emotionally. As a man working in an industry that finds hundreds of pharmacies gobbled up each year by bigger, I wonder if they will ever find Charlie Walgreen or “Something” Walton in the pits of their pharmacies. I’m pretty sure eyes would open and mouths would drop when, on television, Grandma and Grandpa saw Pharmacist Bob and ‘Technician’ Charlie Walgreen fill their prescriptions and doing one of the following: - Using a pill that has been dropped on floor or counter (or touching the pills with their hands — which is the same difference). Hone... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366215 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:00:18 +0100 3366215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331274&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FcU7G-VGMFX8%2F By Roger PilonThis afternoon Politico Arena asks: Will the president’s health care remarks today sway enough votes to pass ObamaCare through “reconciliation”? My response: Who knows? What they show beyond all doubt, however, is the mind-set of the president and the bill’s proponents. Consider just a few of his opening words: “Everything there is to say about health care has been said and just about everyone has said it. So now is the time to make a decision about how to finally reform health care so that it works, not just for the insurance companies, but for America’s families and businesses.” Notice first the insinuation that health care works today for the insurance companies, but not for the rest of us. Obama has to have his foil, this man with no ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331274 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:16:14 +0100 3331274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3123435&cid=t_165028_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FUIqaRHjnRx0%2F Conclusions: A basic CPOE system in a community setting was associated with a significant reduction in medication errors of most types and severity levels.” Note, this study is about CPOE which is not featured in all EMRs and I think that HIMMS has even been trying to get HHS to back off on making CPOE required for the stimulus $. But here is real data that shows real benefits. This study is about error rates and not dollars – but if errors are reduced then lawsuits are reduced and hopefully malpractice insurance premiums follow. IMO, we never needed the tax payer funded stimulus to begin with. Malpractice insurance companies should offer radically reduced rates to physicians that use CPOE and that would be all the “stimulus” that is needed to move doctors toward EH... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3123435 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:33:10 +0100 3123435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096837&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsKnypt1sG80%2F By Michael F. CannonHere’s my answer to today’s “Big Question” on The Hill’s Congress Blog: Now that the “public option” is dead, both the Left and the Right should be able to agree: the Senate bill is nothing but a $450 billion bailout of the private insurance companies. In fact, the bailout may be several multiples of that figure. That $450 billion just represents checks that the Treasury would write to private insurance companies. The Reid bill would also force nearly every U.S. citizen to fork over cash to the private insurance companies — no matter how lousy a deal they offer. A recent CBO memo reveals that Reid has been meticulously working behind closed doors to conceal the full cost of his private-insurer bailout. The Left and the Right should in... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096837 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:26:10 +0100 3096837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105019&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F12%2F09%2Flogical-rage%2F I’m sitting here desperate to post something. I’ve literally stared at this empty text box for going on 10 minutes. All I’ve typed amounts t0 25 words…no 29…wait, 30. My thoughts have staggered and stammered here and there, back and forth. I started to post about a lady, angry at me because she had to drive 8 miles both ways twice because her doctor’s office sent in 1 eRx at 1pm and another at 5:45pm….totally my fault. She also had to wait each time. Totally my fault. What was her gripe? Gas money. Gas money? I drive a car that get’s 26 miles per gallon. Even if she drives a truck getting 16mpg, she’s out what? $2.50 — That’s the cost of being sick. Going to the doctor and then them being inconsiderate and doing a crappy job... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105019 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:24:03 +0100 3105019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056699&cid=t_165028_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F03%2Fmental-health-parity-loopholes%2F While the national mental health parity law takes effect on January 1, 2010, it does not trump existing state laws that mandate that mental disorder diagnoses are treated and covered equally as their physical health brethren. If you are covered by health insurance, come January 1, your mental health treatment cannot be any more limited than your physical health coverage. California is one such state that has had such a mental health parity law on the books since 2000, so we have nine years of lessons from that state. Recently, a study was released that examined how the law affected people who sought out mental health treatment. Shari Roan with the Los Angeles Times has the coverage. The study, conducted by Mathematica Policy Research and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056699 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:45:38 +0100 3056699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105020&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F11%2F14%2Fwhy-would-i-lie%2F I hate how several times per day I find myself in a situation where the only possible outcomes in the mind of the patient is that I am either A) Idiotic and know nothing about what I’m talking or B) Lying. For instance, a patient approached today (who was confrontational from the get-go) and told us he wanted all of his medicines filled as a 90 days supply rather than 30/month. I’m more than happy to do that. DUH!! Our profit margin is usually better on 90 days– especially if it is a generic drug or one of Wal-Mart’s famous 4-dollar respect killers. [One dispensing fee, one label, one count, one check, one vial/lid -- it's savings all around!] The older gentleman, of course, had already called his insurance company and “Nancy” told him that he certainly ... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105020 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:00:35 +0100 3105020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904862&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FKJVwVWrl6K8%2F I’m not a fan of the House Democrats’ proposed takeover of the health care sector.  (If there’s one thing that legislation is not, it’s “reform.”)  But at least House Democrats were honest enough to include the cost of the $245 billion bump in Medicare physician payments in their legislation, unlike some committee chairmen I could mention. Unfortunately, House Democrats have since decided that dishonesty is the better strategy.  They, like Senate Democrats, now plan to strip that additional Medicare spending out of health “reform” and enact it separately.  (Democrats are already trying to exempt that spending from pay-as-you-go rules, making it easier for them to expand our record federal deficits.)  Why enact it separately?  Because excising that spending from the �... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904862 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:44:36 +0100 2904862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2902856&cid=t_165028_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drneedles.comhttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fobama-blames-insurance-companies.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.BLAME THE INSURANCE COMPANIESITS TIME FOR WHITE HOUSE HARD BALL POLITICS.In h... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2902856 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:24:00 +0100 2902856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2823964&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FGP_FEocr8sE%2F “My critics say that I’m taking over every sector of the economy,” President Obama sighed to George Stephanopoulos during his Sunday media blitz. Not every sector. Just health care energy local schools banks insurance companies automobile companies compensation at financial firms newspapers the internet This president and his Ivy League advisers believe that they know how an economy should develop better than hundreds of millions of market participants spending their own money every day. That is what F. A. Hayek called the “fatal conceit,” the idea that smart people can design a real economy on the basis of their abstract ideas. This is not quite socialism. In most of these cases, President Obama doesn’t propose to actually nationalize the means of product... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2823964 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:10:35 +0100 2823964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2824187&cid=t_165028_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FdXumzlPNR-c%2F I got a surprising call today from none other than my insurance company. In the past, this has never been good. Our last insurance company used to call repeatedly to find out if we had any other insurance. I would answer that they we didn’t, and then they would fail to mark this down and call us the next week with the same question. If a company can’t even remember what they asked you last, how can they adequately cover you? But this company wanted to know if I had any questions. I had to repeat it back to the lovely woman on the phone. “You want to know if I had any questions?” I had to stop and think. I was floored. She also wanted me to know here I could find more information about doctors and coverage. She gave me a phone to call if I found that I did have any ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2824187 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:14:57 +0100 2824187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782010&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fr1sh67TTEv4%2F Hell of a speech last night, eh?  Here are a few of my favorite gems. Under this plan, it will be against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Translation: I, Barack Obama, ignoring thousands of years of failed price-control schemes, will impose price controls on health insurance. I will force insurers to sell a $50k policies for $10k. What could go wrong? We were losing an average of 700,000 jobs per month. True. And your employer mandate would kill hundreds of thousands of low-wage jobs that would never come back. They will no longer be able to place some arbitrary cap on the amount of coverage you can receive in a given year or a lifetime.   We will place a limit on how much you can be charged for out-of-pocket expenses…. And i... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782010 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:24:49 +0100 2782010 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105025&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F09%2F01%2Fwhat-a-putz%2F Yup…sure would hate to see that… To be completely honest, while I have my issues with them, Medicare and Medicaid are well-run programs. They allow their money to be spent all helter-skelter, they are the most efficient programs in the entire government. The overhead of CMS is abysmal compared to your other big players like BCBS, Paid, Anthem, and Caremark. I’m not sure why the post office is always busy. I’m not sure why the DMV is slow as hell — these are subcontracted out anyway, so blaming the government is stupid. It’s like blaming Dr.Reddy’s for having to wait too long for your Glimepiride in my pharmacy. You can see the video or the original comments in its entirety here. In all honesty, it was probably just a slip of the tongue. But, callin... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105025 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:23:16 +0100 3105025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634462&cid=t_165028_109_f&fid=34619&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthelastpsychiatrist.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fwhat_healthcare_reform_means_t.html You're all going to miss Big Pharma. (Source: The Last Psychiatrist) The Last Psychiatrist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634462 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:55:52 +0100 2634462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2610890&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FpdgGefsqbyw%2F Reading the New York Times’s coverage of a Senate committee’s recent vote on health care legislation, I was struck by the following statement from Sen. Dodd: If you don’t have health insurance, this bill is for you,” said Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, who presided over more than three weeks of grueling committee sessions. “It stops insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. It guarantees that you’ll be able to find an insurance plan that works for you, including a public health insurance option if you want it.” The bill would also help people who have insurance, Mr. Dodd said, because “it eliminates annual and lifetime caps on coverage and ensures that your out-of-pocket costs will never exceed your ability to... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2610890 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:05:02 +0100 2610890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570391&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUHtSFjjmVtY%2F As Washington debates a big increase in federal health care spending, I came across these two articles on what a splendid job the government is doing managing its current health programs. Harvard professor Malcolm Sparrow recently testified that roughly $100 billion or more of Medicare and Medicaid dollars go down the drain each year due to fraud. It’s easy to rip these programs off because of their vast size and electronic claims processing. Medicare processes more than 1 billion of claims each year.  This Washington Post article last year described one particular example of the fraud. A high-school drop-out managed to bilk Medicare out of $105 million by submitting a 140,000 false claims from her laptop computer. So we’ve got $100 billion or so of taxpayer’s�... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570391 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:38:34 +0100 2570391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2660805&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D1012 I’ve been a critical care nurse for 12 years. I rarely find out about the costs my patients incur as they get care in my unit, though occasionally I hear figures. One gentleman, who had open heart surgery to fix one of his heart valves had to come back 3 months later for a re-do. His wife told me that they had just received the bills that added up to almost $200,000. That was about 8 years ago. Not long ago I learned that the charge per day in intensive care units like mine was now $11,000. Not unrelated to that fact, just the other day, one of our patients who was a ’self pay’ (read ‘no insurance’) was quickly and quietly packed up and transferred to the county hospital for the remainder of her critical care stay which was going to be several days. ludlow&#82... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2660805 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:48:18 +0100 2660805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473202&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fsrb-41yebHw%2F Faced with rising opposition to a so-called “public option” in health care reform, some Democrats are floating the idea of establishing health insurance “co-operatives” as an alternative. Opponents of a government takeover of the health care system should not be fooled. A “co-op” can be defined as a business owned and controlled by its workers and the people who use its services, in this case presumably the people whom it insures. In that sense, government provision of some sort of legal framework or seed money to help establish health insurance co-ops seems relatively harmless but also relatively pointless. The U.S. already has some 1,300 insurance companies. Adding a few more would accomplish…what? It is suggested that the “co-ops” would be nonprofits, and therefore wou... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473202 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:02:11 +0100 2473202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464199&cid=t_165028_109_f&fid=34619&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthelastpsychiatrist.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fmost_common_cause_of_bankruptc.html Why I drink. (Source: The Last Psychiatrist) The Last Psychiatrist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464199 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:14:23 +0100 2464199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452736&cid=t_165028_109_f&fid=34619&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthelastpsychiatrist.com%2F2009%2F06%2Ftheyre_going_to_get_paid_no_ma.html If we reduce the costs of tests, visits, and medications to 20% of their current price, how much will overall healthcare expsenses be reduced? (Source: The Last Psychiatrist) The Last Psychiatrist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452736 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:02:40 +0100 2452736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441451&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F05%2F30%2Ftheres-a-kick-me-sign-on-pharmacys-back%2F I guess we’re the flavor of the month as the douchbags and assholes are coming out of the woodwork to take a cheap shot at our lovely profession. A loyal reader, known only as Bond, sent me the link to an article titled, “The Great Drug Switcheroo.” This piece of shit article published by “Prevention Magazine” (which has been around since the 50’s). The tagline is, “Your pharmacist may be changing your medication without your knowledge–and what you don’t know could hurt you. Here’s how to stay safe.” Once again, the man behind the counter in the white coat is trying to KILL you — not trying to help you achieve optimal results from your drug therapy. It begins with a story of a lady diagnosed with epilepsy who had troub... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441451 Sat, 30 May 2009 05:46:57 +0100 2441451 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441955&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D1003 On May 21, Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry today signed into law historic tort reform legislation, saying House Bill 1603 by Rep. Dan Sullivan and Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee will help improve the legal process without impeding a citizen’s access to the courts. The measure would help curb frivolous lawsuits and reduce costs associated with the justice system, among other things. “This legislation enacts reasonable and responsible reforms that improve the civil justice system without impairing a citizen’s constitutional right to have his or her legitimate grievances appropriately addressed in court,” Gov. Henry said. “It is perhaps the most comprehensive tort reform measure in state history, and I want to thank all the parties who were involved in crafting this bipartisan ... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441955 Fri, 29 May 2009 16:37:10 +0100 2441955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441453&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F05%2F20%2Fwalgreens-has-power%2F I knew this was coming, but I wasn’t sure of much else. Walgreens has begun outsourcing prescription filling to off-site pharmacies for orders to be picked up the next day. The program is called POWER (per an email I received from a WAG slave named Alex). He says: …they are on the verge of implementing a new centralized script filling program called POWER. The corporate propaganda makes this program sound like this is going to be the greatest innovation to the practice of pharmacy since snap-cap-vials. But the rumors that are filtering from the front line staff in Florida make it sound like the whole thing is a giant clusterf., and pharmacists and patients are bailing from Walgreens in droves…I’ve tried to call pharmacists directly, but you can’t get through t... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441453 Wed, 20 May 2009 23:30:15 +0100 2441453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2424135&cid=t_165028_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=2416798&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Flr1na_sp0jA%2F Someone forwarded me an email update from our friends at the Center for American Progress Action Fund (motto: “Disagree with us? Then you hate progress.”). In one blurb, CAPAF’s crack team of spin-disclosers chides Republicans for discussing health care reform using the language recommended by pollster Frank Luntz, who “advised Republicans to fearmonger” Obama’s proposals to death!  Or something. The same email had another blurb titled, “INSURANCE COMPANIES AT THE TABLE?” There, CAPAF’s crack team of spin-disclosers describe how “health insurance companies and lobbying groups” stood beside President Obama last week to announce their support for reducing spending growth.  The blurb continues: However, days later, the insura... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2416798 Mon, 18 May 2009 17:38:58 +0100 2416798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2417102&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D1002 A message to all physicians from AMA President Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD. As our country hurtles toward health system reform, Medicine has been at the table during the discussions. The American Medical Association and the specialty and state society leaders have had access to and have been engaged with the White House and the key committees in Congress. We have been working closely with top Obama administration officials and key staff members of both parties. We have given our best advice, and we have taken the time and effort to carefully consider all views. In truth, we’re not just at the table; we’re helping set the stage for our nation’s future. But as Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, W.V.) said recently, “There’s too much happy talk. It’s time to start t... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2417102 Mon, 18 May 2009 14:29:08 +0100 2417102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405245&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F05%2F14%2F7-to-10-of-the-10-things-your-pharmacist-wont-tell-you%2F The first part of this post containing number 1 to 6 can be found at: http://www.theangriestpharmacist.com/2009/05/12/1-to-6-of-10-things-your-pharmacist-wont-tell-you/ Let’s get back to ripping this bitch up… [The Article was originally published in "Smartmoney Magazine" on April 28th, 2009. No primary author was identified -- that was smart...otherwise I would be CALLING him/her.] Update: Their main source for information is a man named Larry Sasich of Pennsylvania. I visited the PA Board of Pharmacy and he is NOT a registered pharmacist in the state of PA. Way to verify your sources there Smartmoney.com — BTW, I’m sure he’s a nice man and very smart. You can’t be an idiot and make it to his position at what seems to be a very innovative, accredited  ... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405245 Thu, 14 May 2009 09:23:50 +0100 2405245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405615&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D1000 Physicians and surgeons in Oregon have seen a decline in medical professional liability insurance rates the past several years, according to a Department of Consumer and Business Services analysis of recent rate changes. The DCBS Insurance Division found that physicians insured by Oregon’s two largest medical malpractice insurers have experienced an average 18 percent rate decrease since 2005 (see chart below). The two largest insurers—Continental Casualty Company (CNA) and Northwest Physicians Insurance Company (NPIC)—represent about 53 percent of the medical professional liability insurance market in Oregon. “In the earlier part of this decade, rising malpractice insurance costs were a significant concern for specialty doctors, particularly in rural areas, forcing many to leave... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405615 Wed, 13 May 2009 16:37:21 +0100 2405615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405616&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D999 Last month, the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) testified before the legislature’s Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and urged adoption of major reforms in medical liability, saying that the current system to resolve medical liability claims doesn’t work for either patients or providers, takes too long, doesn’t appropriately compensate negligently injured patients in a timely manner and encourages the practice of costly defensive medicine. Alan Woodward, MD, vice chair of the MMS’ Committee on Professional Liability and a past president of the organization, recently testified in support of Senate Bill 561, “An Act to Establish an Adverse Event Disclosure and Compensation Grant Program for Hospitals.” The legislation would establish a program at the Betsy Lehman C... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405616 Wed, 13 May 2009 16:34:09 +0100 2405616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405247&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F05%2F12%2F1-to-6-of-10-things-your-pharmacist-wont-tell-you%2F BlueTech shared this article with me. I’m going to respond to each point, and I might even add a few at the end. Update (5/14/09@0055): Yahoo! must have seen the amount of hits pouring from my site to the above link and removed the article. (Or perhaps I think too highly of myself and there’s just an error). Fortunately, Google allows nothing to disappear permanently. http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/ten-things-your-pharmacist-wont-tell-you-3937/ (I believe this to be the site of origin anyway. There are some comments on this page that hints at original publication in the Wall Street Journal. I HIGHLY doubt that it ran in the print version, but the website, SmartMoney.com is a part of the WSJ.com “Digital Network.” Wow…. 1. “I’m overworked ... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405247 Tue, 12 May 2009 06:24:17 +0100 2405247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405457&cid=t_165028_109_f&fid=34619&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthelastpsychiatrist.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fno_bias_anywhere_here.html If Carrie at the end of Carrie and the melting Nazi guy at the end of Raiders had a kid, and then set him on fire, that's what I look like right now. (Source: The Last Psychiatrist) The Last Psychiatrist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405457 Mon, 11 May 2009 17:16:16 +0100 2405457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2398913&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D998 The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), along with several other health organizations, filed an amici curiae (friends of the court) brief with the U.S. Supreme Court asking that it overturn a recent decision by the Georgia Supreme Court that would allow cases alleging injury from childhood vaccines to be decided by state juries, threatening the no-fault system enacted by Congress in the mid-1980s. Congress enacted the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Compensation Act of 1986 to protect the small number of children injured by vaccines and to safeguard the nation’s vaccine supply. Leading up to passage of the legislation, vaccine-related lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers had spiked, and the rising litigation threatened to halt necessary production of life-saving vaccines. Accordin... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2398913 Fri, 08 May 2009 16:52:21 +0100 2398913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376377&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D995 It looks like a few rule changes have dramatically lowered the number of malpractice suits filed in Pennsylvania. There were 1,602 filings last year, a 41% decline from the annual average between 2000 and 2002, before the changes were put in place. One of the new rules requires a “certificate of merit” from a medical professional, establishing that “the medical procedures in a case fell below applicable standards of care,” according to a recent statement from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. Another rule requires cases to be filed in the county where the alleged malpractice took place — an effort to discourage so-called venue shopping, where cases would be filed in counties thought to be sympathetic to plaintiffs. The number of malpractice cases fell sharply in... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376377 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:15:45 +0100 2376377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376378&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D994 In this report, Public Citizen noted: American Medical Association President Donald Palmisano told the 2004 Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates that “what is driving this crisis are the out-of-sight awards some runaway juries are handing out in certain liability cases.” This assertion is incorrect on the facts – when adjusted for inflation, the median judgment grew only from $125,000 in 1991 to $139,100 in 2005, a mere $14,000 over 14 years. Such a modest increase hardly suggests that juries are irrational In addition, it was further reported: · The number of malpractice payments declined 15.4 percent between 1991 and 2005. · Adjusted for inflation, the average annual payment for verdicts declined 8 percent between 1991 and 2005. · Payments for million-dollar... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376378 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:05:54 +0100 2376378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2365224&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D992 The American Medical Association (AMA) recently launched a new online learning center to provide physicians with the information and tools they need to make informed decisions about electronic prescribing (ePrescribing). The learning center can be found at www.ama-assn.org/go/eprescribing. “The AMA’s new ePrescribing learning center takes the guess work out of the decision-making process by giving physicians all the tools they need to decide what system is best for their practice,” said Joseph M. Heyman, MD, AMA board chairman. “At the end of last year, about 13 percent of physicians were prescribing electronically, but with the incentives available through Medicare’s ePrescribing incentive program and this new AMA resource, I’m certain that percentage will increase.” ... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2365224 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:02:44 +0100 2365224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2365225&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D991 On June 23-24, at the Union League of Philadelphia, the American Conference Institute (ACI) will be hosting a Conference on Preventing, Managing and Defending Claims of Obstetric Malpractice. Arguably the most expensive medical malpractice cases to deal with given the economic consequences of compensating for a lifetime of medical care and economic loss as well as pain and suffering, perinatal brain injury cases carry a disproportionate share of total defense costs, indemnity payments and damages in physician liability lawsuits. Thus, it is key for professionals involved in obstetric care to have up-to-the-minute medico-legal information on obstetric malpractice lawsuits. The Conference on Preventing, Managing and Defending Claims of Obstetric Malpractice will feature a panel of legal an... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2365225 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:37:27 +0100 2365225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2365226&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D990 In a decision of broad impact tomedical malpractice lawsuits across Maryland, a circuit judge in Rockville has refused to apply the state’s “cap” on non-economic damages in a malpractice case. Judge John Debelius ruled that when the Maryland General Assembly revised the damage cap in 2005 to lower the amount that malpractice victims could recover from negligent doctors and hospitals, the legislature exempted casesin which the parties had not first gone through the state’s pre-suit arbitration system. The decision was handed down late on April 20, 2009 in the case of Semsker v. Lockshin. The case concerned the death of 47-year-old Richard Semsker, a Bethesda employment attorney, from malignant melanoma, a curable skin cancer. A jury last November found a prominent ... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2365226 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:33:08 +0100 2365226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2353930&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D989 Ontario recently became the latest Canadian province to adopt an apology law that will allow people to say they’re sorry without fear of having it turned against them in court. Under the new rules, apologies can’t be used as an admission of fault or liability and won’t affect someone’s insurance coverage—a move critics warn may do victims more harm than good. Fewer people apologize because they’re afraid it could come back to haunt them if they are sued, Attorney General Chris Bentley said after the bill passed a third and final reading in the legislature. “This removes a legislative barrier to do what we all think is the right thing to do,” he said. “If you do harm, your natural instinct is to say, ‘I’m sorry.’” British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba hav... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2353930 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:43:12 +0100 2353930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2353931&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D988 The Nevada Supreme Court is taking aggressive steps to resolve a lingering problem in the District Courts of Clark County—a backlog of medical malpractice cases. During the month of May, two-judge teams of senior judges will conduct settlement conferences in medical malpractice cases at a rate of two a day. Eighteen or more conferences will be set each week. This process has been referred to as the “medical malpractice settlement marathon.” Justice Michael Cherry, who supervises the Senior Judge Program, said the settlement program will target the 216 oldest cases. Of those, 109 were filed more than two years ago. “This process will provide unique access to the justice system and to some of our most experienced judges,” Cherry said. “Attorneys with pending medical malpractice... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2353931 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:31:39 +0100 2353931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2353932&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D987 Congressman Michael Burgess, MD, has reintroduced the Medical Justice Act (HR 1468) for this year’s legislative session, which was conceived to improve patient access to healthcare by diminishing unnecessary medical liability lawsuits. “Texas has led the nation in medical justice reform, and is now a model state for what successful tort reform looks like,” Congressman Burgess said. “Unfortunately, only a few states have followed suit, leaving too many Americans trapped in a system that is harmful to patients and doctors. We need national, across-the-board change in the tort reform system, and my bill would do just that. Runaway lawsuits are unnecessary and costly, and reforming medical liability must be a part of the national healthcare debate.” The Medical Justice Act would re... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2353932 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:26:37 +0100 2353932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347774&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F3QRyYqc9nh4%2F At the New York Times Economix blog, economist Nancy Folbre of the University of Massachusetts writes: The libertarian Cato Institute often emphasizes the issue of corporate welfare, but it’s remained remarkably quiet so far on the topic of bailouts. Excuse me? Since she linked to one of our papers on corporate welfare, we assume she’s visited our site. How, then, could she get such an impression? Cato scholars have been deploring bailouts since last September. (Actually, since the Chrysler bailout of 1979, but we’ll skip forward to the recent avalanche of Bush-Obama bailouts.) Just recently, for instance, in — ahem — the New York Times, senior fellow William Poole implored, “Stop the Bailouts.” I wonder if our commentaries started with my blog post &#... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347774 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:53:14 +0100 2347774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348892&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D986 The AMA has created an extensive online resource. By the close of 2008, only about 13% of physicians were prescribing electronically. The prescription pad and pen still rule in most offices. But doctors are getting a nudge to automate their prescribing process. Physicians who prescribe electronically for their Medicare patients will be eligible for incentive payments. This year’s bonus will be equal to 2% of all Medicare Part B pay for the year. Before the monetary incentives there was friendly persuasion. A 2006 Institute of Medicine report called on all prescribers to have an electronic prescribing system in place by 2010, saying such systems would help reduce medication errors. In November 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a guide for doctors who ... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348892 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:43:18 +0100 2348892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348893&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D985 CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The New Hampshire Medical Society says the state has no right to take a $110 million surplus from a state fund that underwrites malpractice insurance and use it for other purposes in the state budget. The society argues the money is from premiums paid by health care providers and belongs to them. About half the 900 policyholders are doctors. The rest are nurses, physicians’ assistants, home care providers, nursing homes, a hospital group and other medical providers. The state counters that the Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association in question was created in 1975 by the state to fill a gap in the availability of malpractice insurance and the policyholders got what they paid for: coverage against malpractice claims. Any surplus can rightfully be used t... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348893 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:38:18 +0100 2348893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348894&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D984 Dr. John Ghertner, MD Medicare works for your parents, why not you? It is time to encourage our elected officials in Washington to begin a serious open minded discussion about ways to improve our society’s health care system. We must implore them to listen to facts, ignore the lobbying noise from those who continue to profit inordinately from our damaged health care system and make a final decision that is practical, not ideological. As a physician and nursing home operator in the Sodus and Williamson community for the last 30 years, I have become increasingly distressed with the state of the health care industry. I have witnessed first hand as insurance companies, physicians and hospitals have become part of a system that forces doctors to compromise patient care, institutions to... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348894 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:34:05 +0100 2348894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348895&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D983 By Dr. Ana Maria Lopez On behalf of the 2,043 members of the Arizona chapter of the American College of Physicians, I would like to congratulate the Arizona Daily Star for tackling one of the most pressing challenges facing our health-care system — the growing shortage of primary-care physicians. A survey of 1,200 fourth-year medical students published in the Sept. 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found that only 2 percent of graduating medical students plan to go into primary-care medicine. In a similar survey in 1990, the figure was 9 percent. In Arizona, we have only 4,719 primary-care physicians (36 percent of doctors in the state) to provide care for all Arizona residents. In the United States, there are 88.1 primary-care practitioners for every 100,000... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348895 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:03:21 +0100 2348895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348896&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D982 In Washington, the Obama administration is promising to spend billions to make health care more efficient, but Jennifer Brull, a family doctor in rural Kansas, is already a step or two ahead. A year ago, she switched her 3,000 patients from paper charts to electronic health records, a core feature of most plans for healing the nation’s ailing health system. Now, working with computers and printouts, her staff of part-time nurses and shared front-office workers has more time to help her meet the needs of patients. “I’ll never go back to the old system,” said Dr. Brull, 37, who runs a solo practice in Plainville, Kan. “I can always look at the records by Internet, whether I am seeing patients at the nursing home or a clinic or the hospital, or even when I’m as far away as Flori... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348896 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:27:05 +0100 2348896 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348897&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D981 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday said the government would create a national electronic medical records system for the military that will serve as a model for broad reform of U.S. healthcare administration. The system, organized by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, would follow military personnel from active duty through retirement, keeping records organized and complete. Obama said the agencies were moving to create a system for military members “that will contain their administrative and medical information — from the day they first enlist to the day that they are laid to rest.” “Currently, there is no comprehensive system in place that allows for a streamlined transition of health records between DOD and... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348897 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:15:01 +0100 2348897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348634&cid=t_165028_109_f&fid=34619&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthelastpsychiatrist.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fhospitals_accused_of_patient_d.html A ha ha!  No, silly, the patients don't get paid.   (Source: The Last Psychiatrist) The Last Psychiatrist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348634 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:18:34 +0100 2348634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2317436&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D980 WASHINGTON — The blank wall behind the receptionists’ desk stands as a symbol of efficiency in Peter Basch’s bustling office. A dozen years ago, Basch and his fellow doctors went paperless and ditched the stacks of patients’ charts that stood there. An early entry into the world of electronic medical records, Basch is an enthusiastic supporter. “It allows our staff and physicians to be far more organized,” he says. And that means “more focused on the patient.” President Obama wants doctors’ offices and hospitals nationwide to follow suit, and the government has set a goal for every American to have an electronic health record by 2014. Kathleen Sebelius, the White House nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, calls the move to co... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2317436 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:54:29 +0100 2317436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2317438&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D979 By CATHY BUSSEWITZ CARSON CITY, Nev.—Dozens of Nevadans, including patients affected by a hepatitis C outbreak in Las Vegas, packed hearing rooms here and in Las Vegas on Monday to support a bill that would allow for bigger lawsuit awards as a result of negligence by doctors. The Assembly Judiciary Committee debated AB495, a response to the hepatitis C outbreak that led to the largest patient notification in U.S. history. More than 50,000 patients at two now-closed outpatient clinics were notified last year that they may have been exposed to bloodborne diseases by shoddy injection practices. “These health care providers, under anybody’s standard, were grossly negligent, and they absolutely put profit ahead of patient safety,” said Bill Bradley, representing the Nevad... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2317438 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:49:30 +0100 2317438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2313654&cid=t_165028_109_f&fid=34619&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthelastpsychiatrist.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fthis_is_why_medical_care_is_ex.html The article explains:AUSTIN, Texas - Just nine people accounted for nearly 2,700 of the emergency room visits in the Austin area during the past six years at a cost of $3 million to taxpayers and others, according to a report.Activate populist outrage: ready, go!The average emergency room visit costs $1,000. Hospitals and taxpayers paid the bill through government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, Kitchen said.After we get home from setting a few car fires, we can then ask the relevant question:  what, exactly, do they mean by "cost?"  Do they mean "cost," or do they mean "bill?" (Source: The Last Psychiatrist) The Last Psychiatrist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2313654 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:47:11 +0100 2313654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2272912&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D978 The incentives in the economic recovery act to encourage the conversion from paper to electronic health records could mean hundreds of millions of dollars for the state’s health care systems and doctors. The emergency spending bill also could spur the final push needed to make paper charts a medical artifact. “It’s going to drastically increase adoption,” said Michael Repka, executive director of the Independent Physicians Network, which negotiates contracts and provides other services for physicians in the Milwaukee area. The long-awaited transition from paper to electronic records is considered essential if doctors and hospitals are to improve coordination of care, manage patients with chronic disease, lessen the wide variation in how medicine is practiced and ... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2272912 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:26:42 +0100 2272912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2240778&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D977 THE PRESIDENT: To Sir Edward Kennedy. (Applause.) That’s the kind of greeting a knight deserves. (Laughter.) It is thrilling to see you here, Teddy. We are so grateful for you taking the time to be here and the extraordinary work that your committee has already started to do, along with Mike Enzi; I know Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley on the Senate side; Henry, I know that you guys are gearing to go on the House side. So I just want to, first of all, thank all of you for participating. Today was the first discussion in this effort, but it was not the last. In the coming days and weeks we’ll be convening a series of meetings with senior administration officials here at the White House to further explore some of the key issues that were raised today and to bring more voices into ... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2240778 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:05:02 +0100 2240778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2232496&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D976 side note: This is exactly why we linked with MyMedicalMalpracticeInsurance.com. They have proven time and time again that they will save you money on your premiums. By Stephanie Desmon Baltimore Sun Legislators seek remedies before the situation gets even worse When his longtime physician retired, Southern Maryland lawmaker Thomas “Mac” Middleton faced a predicament: The senator needed a new doctor but couldn’t find one who was taking new patients. “I had to go through three different doctor groups before someone would take me,” he said. He ran right into the critical doctor shortage facing rural Maryland - to the west of Baltimore, to the south, on the Eastern Shore. There are not enough primary-care doctors setting up practice in these areas, leaving s... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2232496 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:21:27 +0100 2232496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2232497&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D975 side note: At the end of the article, Tom Ockers, chief executive of Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center calls for the President to fund programs for preventive care and wellness. We at Doc Advocate also believe that there is a need to better educate physicians so they can help prevent frivolous lawsuits themselves. Check out Cunningham Group Insurance’s website to learn more about the book Healing Words on how a doctor can cut their number of claims by quite a huge amount. BY RIDGELY OCHS Newsday.com Local hospital administrators applauded President Barack Obama for putting health care front and center in his budget proposal. But they said they need to see more details and worry that, given the dire state of the economy, the changes could be hard to implement. “He&... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2232497 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:17:13 +0100 2232497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2216505&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D973 The nation’s largest organization of registered nurses today praised President Obama’s call for “comprehensive” healthcare reform in his speech to Congress Tuesday night, but emphasized that only genuine reform, as in expanding Medicare to cover everyone, will actually solve the crisis — and rein in the skyrocketing costs that the president noted are bankrupting Americans and costing jobs. “After the past dismal eight years, it could not be more gratifying to hear a President emphasize the need for comprehensive action on healthcare, and recognize the growing crisis felt by American families,” said Malinda Markowitz, RN, co-president of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee. “But we cannot repair our broke... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2216505 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:27:37 +0100 2216505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2216506&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D972 Medical malpractice claims and insurance rates fell again in Ohio in 2007, but the state’s top insurance official isn’t calling a win just yet for tort reform legislation that took effect in 2003. The Ohio Department of Insurance’s third annual report on professional liability claims shows 3,451 claims closed in 2007, the latest year for which statistics were available. That’s down 14 percent from 4,004 claims in 2006, a year that saw closed claims drop more than 20 percent from the year before. Of claims closed in 2007, about 65 percent were abandoned or dismissed while 21.6 percent closed with a claim payout, roughly on par with recent years, according to the report. The average payment in 2007 grew 9 percent to $315,365, though the increase has been attributed to a rise in hea... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2216506 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:17:01 +0100 2216506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2216507&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D971 The economic stimulus plan currently being considered by Congress allocates $20 billion to health information technology such as electronic medical records (EMRs). Recent postings on Medscape Physician Connect (MPC), a physicians-only discussion board, offer frank opinions about the utility of EMRs in clinical practice — opinions that are decidedly mixed. “EMR is the worst thing that has happened to me professionally in over 25 years of practice. My care of patients is impeded and the quality of my care is worse as a direct effect of the introduction of EMR,” says a MPC contributor who championed the installation of an EMR system for his physician group. “I absolutely love our EMR,” says a nephrologist. “It has improved the quality of our practice imme... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2216507 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:47:32 +0100 2216507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2204980&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D967 The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) cites Humana for its commitment to administrative simplification and its leadership in adopting standardized, machine-readable patient ID cards for its members. MGMA recently launched Project SwipeIT, an industry-wide effort calling on health insurers, vendors and healthcare providers to initiate processes to support standardized cards by Jan. 1, 2010. Most patient ID cards currently in use have no machine-readable elements. Healthcare providers typically photocopy the cards for their records, wasting money on data entry that invites human error and leads to denied claims. Machine-readable cards like Humana’s could be linked to providers’ computer systems via a card reader allowing for the automatic population of patient information c... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2204980 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:58:34 +0100 2204980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2200454&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D965 The recession has been taking a toll on New York businesses, but it isn’t the only thing ailing us; the high cost of health care and the lack of access to care dog businesses and individuals. Here is a commentary from the League of Women Voters on single-payer national health insurance, a leading solution to the cost and accessibility problems plaguing health care in New York, where an estimated 1 in 6 people lacks insurance. What is single payer? It refers to the administration of health-care funds by one payer, rather than by the current multiple insurance companies. This payer would be the federal government. Think of single payer as enhanced and improved Medicare for all. The League of Women Voters of Westchester, New York state and the U.S. League all advocate for single-payer ... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2200454 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:35:20 +0100 2200454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2194840&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D961 Today’s medical professional liability insurance (MPLI) industry is facing challenges from volatile economic conditions—free fall in the stock market, the credit freeze, the subprime crisis and the current recession—coupled with competitive pressures from the ongoing soft market. To discuss this new era in insurance and medicine—as well as help insurance professionals understand and prepare for turbulent conditions ahead—the Physician Insurers Association of America will be hosting its 32nd Annual Meeting, aptly titled On the Horizon: Solutions for an Evolving Market, which will convene the world’s leading MPLI industry specialists and influential healthcare leaders. The 2009 PIAA Annual Meeting will be held May 13-16 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii’s Big Island. T... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2194840 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:48:36 +0100 2194840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2194841&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D960 To help reduce the incidence of medical malpractice lawsuits and foster better communication between physicians and their patients, Administrators for the Professions, Inc. has authored a new book that provides physicians with effective strategies and advice to help address the sources of many malpractice suits. The new book, Practicing Medicine in Difficult Times: Protecting Physicians from Malpractice Litigation includes a number of case studies and real-world examples to help physicians develop a more thorough understanding of the current medical litigation landscape and to positively impact their relationships with patients. Expert commentary is provided by experienced physicians and medical malpractice attorneys, who suggest ways to minimize physicians’ susceptibility to lawsui... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2194841 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:36:28 +0100 2194841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2190524&cid=t_165028_114_f&fid=34901&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocadvocate.com%2F%3Fp%3D956 A new program from Medical Professional Mutual Insurance Co. (MPMIC) and its subsidiaries, ProMutual Group, a leading provider of medical liability insurance in the Northeast, was recently instituted in a pilot phase to address the needs of physicians, hospitals and their patients following certain adverse medical outcomes. Called REACT for Respond Effectively And Communicate Timely, the program was established to work with physicians and patients to promote disclosure and apology, help prevent the reoccurrence of adverse medical outcomes and reduce litigation. The program will also provide appropriate reimbursement of expenses to patients and their families following such events. The REACT Program’s foundation is based on ProMutual Group’s many years of promoting and advocating open... Doc Advocate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2190524 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:49:18 +0100 2190524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182897&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F02%2F12%2Fbe-nice%2F Each day, I get at least one email from a person who has been screwed over, insulted, or infuriated by a pharmacy, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or the services they were provided. These people, bless ‘em, just want me to fix it for them. I, of course, can’t. These people, bless ‘em, just want me to give them some advice. This, I can do. Here is that advice: DO   *NOT*  BE   A   PRICK! I cannot tell you how imporant this is. I cannot overstress how far this will get you. Regardless of who is at fault, if you are an asshole just because you can, you will get f.ing nowhere. This is an intrinsic problem with citizens of the United States. For whatever reason, they have the words, “the customer is always right,” ingrained into their little pea-brains. Un... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182897 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:50:09 +0100 2182897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167843&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2Fmy-obama-dream%2F Recently, I had a dream where Barack Obama waltzed into my pharmacy. The following is what resulted… -=+=- Dear President Barack Obama, I hope this letter finds you well as you’ve recently taken a very prestigious office – one that only 40 or so other men have had in the history of mankind. The premise of this letter is somewhat odd. It only exists because of a dream – a somnolent dream, not an “I have a dream” dream. Anyway, last night I found myself in what was unmistakably a very joyous dream (which may now be an aspiration-type dream of mine), and for whatever reason, the most powerful man on the planet decided he wanted to meet a real pharmacist, toiling away in the trenches. Again, for whatever reason, you happened in to my pharmacy, and there aren’t any pharmacists... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167843 Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:50:14 +0100 2167843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2104687&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2009%2F01%2F15%2Fdrugs-are-expensive-call-the-wambulance%2F This post is a rebuttal to a post located HERE. I think the post is well written, and I think the blog author is probably a nice person (And I love the concept of her blog). S/he just doesn’t know some things about the pharmaceutical industry, and I am going to fill in the blanks…I’d like to thank ‘Odublar’ for sending me the link. I am going to respond to each paragraph/thought individually and my comments are, of course, in bold as they are the most important… -=+=- With prescription drugs, sometimes it’s a choice between going into debt or staying sick. I’m sure this is not new news: Prescription drug costs are out of control. We are at the mercy of the pharmaceutical industry, insurance companies, physicians and druggists in the care of our own h... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2104687 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:34:45 +0100 2104687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808797&cid=t_165028_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fmetastatic-liver-cancer%2F%7E3%2FZhmkqz5fyhk%2F Why do some medical insurance companies remind me of the Holocaust after reading about Janet’s sister who is dying from cancer?   Read where to find financial help in the US. Read the sad contradiction that US has the best cancer treatments available unfortunately for un-payable prices.   Do you have cancer medical insurance? No?   Do you want to [...] (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808797 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:00:34 +0100 3808797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1924537&cid=t_165028_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E3%2F437093223%2Fnyt-women-pay-more-for-same-health.html From the NYT: Women Buying Health Policies Pay a Penalty It has been found that women could be charged as much as 31 percent more than men when buying the same health care plan. With more and more deregulation of health care, more individuals have to shop around for plans offered by private insurance companies, who are free to set up their own standards for pricing. Justifications for charging women more include childbearing-related issues and higher frequency of going in for regular checkups. “Women often fare worse than men in the individual insurance market,” said Senator Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana and chairman of the Finance Committee.Insurers say they have a sound reason for charging different premiums: Women ages 19 to 55 tend to cost more than men because they typically use... Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1924537 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:02:11 +0100 1924537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1742701&cid=t_165028_109_f&fid=34619&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthelastpsychiatrist.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fa_solution_to_the_pharma_probl.html The problem so far is all arguments against Pharma (prices too high; no interest in making meds people need; no interest in cures, only maintenance treatments, etc, etc) fail because they are ethical arguments.The problem and solution require our reluctant acceptance that the problem is an economic one, and only economics will solve it. (Source: The Last Psychiatrist) The Last Psychiatrist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1742701 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:30:14 +0100 1742701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1704676&cid=t_165028_109_f&fid=34619&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthelastpsychiatrist.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fdrug_reps_from_congress_to_det.html Oh, my God, I hope you're lying down for this. (Source: The Last Psychiatrist) The Last Psychiatrist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1704676 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:19:27 +0100 1704676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1564243&cid=t_165028_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fwe-the-people-demand-healthcare-reform%2F Last week, CNN reported that lobbyists spend 2.5 billion dollars to influence the American government. As startling as that figure is, a full 20 percent of that (about 500 million dollars), is spent by the healthcare industry. Imagine, that is approximately 1.2 million dollars on healthcare for each man woman and child in the United States. I don’t know about you, but by my calculations that is enough money to ensure coverage for everybody. Even more provoking is the question of how much profit is made by the health insurance industry if they can afford to throw away this kind of money to influence policy? Further, how is this money spent, who does it go to and what do they do with it? For the sake of all Americans we need answers to these questions. While most families are struggling to... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1564243 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:09:14 +0100 1564243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1347510&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2008%2F04%2F03%2Fmy-turn%2F Just about everybody has taken their shot at “Why does my prescription take so long to fill?” Now, I will end this argument once and for all. For starters, here is the short version: “IF YOU WANT M&M’s, BY ALL MEANS - GTFO! KTHX” Now, I really like PharmacyTales Version (WHERE DID YOU GO, PT?), but the problem with it is that it is much too wordy. A visitor to the normal, American pharmacy would see that, scream TL;DR and run away screaming. The American public wants lists and pictures. I will now provide the perfect document to give to patients explaining WHY THEIR PRESCRIPTION TAKES SO DAMN LONG TO FILL! ========================== Dear Pharmacy Visitor, Recently, we’ve noticed an increase in prescription wait time due to many factors. To ensure all... The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1347510 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:41:13 +0100 1347510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1282209&cid=t_165028_109_f&fid=34619&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthelastpsychiatrist.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fpricing_of_placebo_affects_eff.html An article from JAMA, saying that patients believed $2.50 placebos were more effective than $0.10 ones.The question isn't why does this happen.  The question is, why, in a free market, does the placebo have two different prices? (Source: The Last Psychiatrist) The Last Psychiatrist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1282209 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:25:00 +0100 1282209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1280705&cid=t_165028_109_f&fid=34619&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthelastpsychiatrist.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fusatoday_says_drug_ads_are_sma.html There's an article in USA Today which says, essentially, that drug ads cause patients to ask for medications which they don't need, which are then given to them by their doctors. The key is that the doctors would not have given them these or any medications had the patient not asked. The first question that can be asked is, ok, sure-- ads make patients ask for these medications. Why are the doctors succumbing to this pressure? It's a loaded concept, and I'm confident USA TODAY hasn't thought it through: are you suggesting that the doctors are prescribing a medication which is not indicated for the problem the patient describes? Or are you saying the doctor is a moron and doesn't think to recommend it in the first place? Or, are you saying the medicine isn't really needed, but the doctor ... The Last Psychiatrist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1280705 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:22:43 +0100 1280705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1279495&cid=t_165028_97_f&fid=35606&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theangriestpharmacist.com%2F2008%2F03%2F04%2Fhow-to-get-fired-from-your-job%2F Apparently, all you have to do is talk shit about them on the internet. It’s a damn good thing the entire internet thinks my first name is “THE” otherwise I would’ve been fired for my transgressions a year ago (first post was Feb 07).  This is retarded. I’m sure there was something in a contract somewhere saying you or your employees can’t talk shit about our service on the internet. But, seriously, how many non-pharmacy personnel read these Pharmacist Blogs? How many people are going to say, “Well, I’m not going to buy Express Scripts insurance because a semi-anonymous poster on a website said their helpdesk was unhelpful to the pharmacist!” Once again — give me a fucking break. (Source: The Angriest Pharmacist) The Angriest Pharmacist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1279495 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:32:05 +0100 1279495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1158362&cid=t_165028_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F218263103%2F Here is a new tool that seems kind of nifty and useful! Being a diabetic does not always come without complications, as you all very well know, and the risk of developing ulcers on a foot that has little feeling due to neuropathy is very scary! There is now a foot thermometer that will allow you to monitor the temperature in your feet and compare them so that you have a heads up to be aware of the increases risk of an ulcer. The new foot thermometer costs about $150 and insurance companies do not cover the cost. The TempTouch® thermometer is only available by prescription. For more information, log onto the company’s website. Share This (Source: Diabetes Notes) Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1158362 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:16:36 +0100 1158362