Medicare
Social determinants may help predict rates of opioid prescriptions, opioid-related death
Social determinants of health may predict rates of opioid prescriptions per beneficiary and opioid-related death, according to recently published results.
White Medicare beneficiaries face elevated mortality risk after COPD hospitalization
Among Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation, the risk for mortality within 1 year was higher in white patients vs. Black or Hispanic patients, according to results published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
CMS finalizes rule streamlining, digitizing prior authorization process
CMS has finalized a new final rule that aims to shorten prior authorization timelines and streamline processes to remove barriers to patient care, according to a press release.
Facility fees for colonoscopy nearly 55% more at hospitals vs. ambulatory surgery centers
Facility fees for three common colonoscopy procedures were approximately 55% higher at hospitals compared with ambulatory surgery centers in the same county and with the same insurer, researchers reported in JAMA Health Forum.
Sight Sciences announces MACs withdrawal of local coverage determinations for MIGS
Five Medicare Administrative Contractors have withdrawn their final local coverage determinations for micro-invasive glaucoma surgery that were scheduled to take effect on Jan. 29, 2024, according to a press release from Sight Sciences.
‘Tough to say’: Complications, guarded optimism surround Medicare price negotiations
Following HHS’ blockbuster announcement of the first 10 drugs that would be subject to Medicare price negotiations, patients and providers alike have been looking forward to meaningful reductions in their costly treatments.
Legislation introduced to eliminate Medicare physician payment cuts
U.S. Rep. Greg F. Murphy, MD, R-N.C., has introduced legislation that would eliminate a planned 3%-plus cut in Medicare physician payments starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Coal power plant pollution elevates mortality risk among Medicare users
Compared with fine particulate matter from any source, pollution from coal electricity-generating units heightened the risk for death by twofold among Medicare users, according to results published in Science.
Medicare Advantage associated with decreased utilization of elective, inpatient TJA
Results showed patients with Medicare Advantage may have decreased utilization of elective, inpatient total joint arthroplasty procedures and increased time to evaluation and surgery vs. patients with traditional Medicare coverage.
Cardiologists push to restore virtual rehab as covered Medicare benefit
Among the many changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic was an abrupt switch from in-person to virtual cardiac rehabilitation, a shift that allowed easier access to a service that patients typically struggled to attend, seemingly overnight.