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Policy News

Top Health Care Policy Headlines from Leading News Sources

HealthMarkets is committed to keeping health care affordable for all Americans. Policy News contains timely news and information to help you better understand the policy issues currently confronting the health care system and possibly your own care. HealthMarkets encourages you to check this site each day to learn about the issues and become more informed about your own health care choices.


Creation Time: August 19, 2008

HHS plans to start use of ICD-10 codes in October 2011
August 19, 2008


Doctors: Crackdown on illegal immigrants could impact public health
August 19, 2008

Physicians are worried that the growing national crackdown on illegal immigrants may make some immigrants afraid to seek medical care, which could have public health implications, such as higher rates of infectious disease, increased emergency room costs and higher infant mortality rates.

Nine insurers bid to participate in Cover Florida program
August 19, 2008

Nine health insurers have submitted bids to participate in the new Cover Florida health insurance program, designed to help the uninsured get basic health care coverage.

FDA considers more training for powerful narcotics
August 18, 2008

The FDA is considering requiring doctors to undergo additional training to prescribe potent narcotics such as methadone in light of increased deaths related to the drug, an agency official said. Some doctors support the plan, but others said it may disadvantage patients by limiting the number of physicians who can dispense such treatments.

Health insurers see China as huge untapped market
August 18, 2008

Aetna, WellPoint, UnitedHealth and Cigna are among the U.S. health insurance companies opening up shop in China, which the Commerce Department says is the world's largest untapped insurance market. Barriers exist, however. Companies must have an office in China for two years before doing business and some insurers say finding the right partner is key for success.

States improve policies for prescribing pain medications
August 18, 2008

A report analyzing policies for the appropriate medical use of opioid drugs gave 44 states a grade of "C" or higher, an improvement from the 24 states that achieved at least a "C" in the first study in 2000. Some states have created initiatives bringing together medical boards, law enforcement and patient groups to address the issue, and others have begun to use prescription monitoring programs to reduce so-called "doctor shopping."

MO HealthNet to help patients find basic primary care
August 15, 2008

Missouri Medicaid, now renamed MO HealthNet, is offering some 210,000 state Medicaid recipients a "medical home." The $33 million program is designed to reach people who are not in a managed-care program and rely on emergency room care or have no regular basic health care.

MCOs diversify into new markets, product lines
August 15, 2008

Managed care organizations are expanding into new markets and offering additional products and pricing options to prepare for potential health care reform in coming years. MCOs are looking at future growth in the areas of price-sensitive small-group and individual buyers, as well as government programs.

Ten physician groups earned $16.7M in CMS demonstration program
August 15, 2008

CMS says 10 physician groups have earned $16.7 million as incentive payments in the second year of the agency's demonstration program for improving the quality of care for heart disease and diabetes patients. The groups reached performance goals for least 25 of 27 quality markers.

CMS plans to stop reimbursing X-rays to be used by chiropractors
August 15, 2008

CMS has proposed a regulation that would stop reimbursements for X-rays ordered by an MD or doctor of osteopathic medicine to be used by a chiropractor to detect a subluxation. "We do not believe it would be necessary or appropriate to continue to permit payment for an x-ray ordered by a non-treating physician when a chiropractor, not the ordering physician, will use that x-ray," the agency said.

AHIP Campaign for an American Solution stops in Detroit
August 14, 2008

A group of women in Detroit talked with AHIP CEO Karen Ignagni about their health care and insurance concerns as part of AHIP's second meeting for its Campaign for an American Solution. The women said they need better, more affordable health care coverage.

Adverse reactions to antibiotics send 140,000 to ER each year
August 14, 2008

A CDC report of data from 2004 to 2006 says more than 140,000 emergency room visits each year were made by people having bad reactions to antibiotics, about 78% of which were allergic reactions to the drugs. The study found people ages 15 to 44 made 41.2% of the emergency visits, while infants accounted for about 6.3%.

Health plans seek ways to retain members, create loyalty
August 14, 2008

Health plans are looking for ways to provide better, more personalized communications with members, such as micro-segmenting members by demographics, geographics, attitudes and behaviors. Plans are looking to create exceptional experiences and lasting impressions not only to retain members but also to create loyal customers.

Healthy lifestyle can reduce stroke risk by up to 80%
August 13, 2008

Men and women who have a healthy lifestyle -- including no smoking, appropriate weight, regular exercise and moderate drinking -- can reduce their risk of stroke by up to 80%, a Harvard study found. The researchers analyzed data from some 115,000 adults and also found changing even one of the lifestyle factors can impact stroke risk.

Trend toward non-payment for preventable errors spreads
August 13, 2008

The trend toward not charging for specific medical errors deemed "never events" has spread to hospitals in almost half of U.S. states, a new analysis shows. Insurers, states and hospitals are adopting policies that exclude preventable medical errors from being reimbursed, a move that "really does go to the heart of our patients' confidence," the president of the Tennessee Hospital Association said.

States lax in reporting to provider exclusion database
August 12, 2008

A survey of states finds 61% of sanctions that resulted in a health care provider being thrown out of a Medicaid program in 2004 and 2005 could not be found in the federal exclusion database -- a listing required by law. Federal investigators say failure to list excluded providers makes it easier for them to set up practices in other states. A CMS official said the agency will seek to reduce any barriers in reporting to increase the number of referrals.

Hospitals focus on safety amid increased scrutiny
August 12, 2008

Hospitals across the U.S. are focusing more on safety and quality amid increasing scrutiny of patient care, prevention efforts and medical errors. San Diego hospital administrators are providing additional staff training, adding more workers to focus on compliance and creating a culture of teamwork to promote reporting of errors.

N.J. to create early-warning system to spot hospital financial crises
August 11, 2008


States focus on culturally competent health care
August 11, 2008

New professional guidelines and, in some states, new laws are aimed at making health care providers more aware of cultural norms as the U.S. population's ethnic mix continues to diversify. "The critical thing here is developing sensitivity and the understanding that not every culture responds to medical providers in the same way, sees medicine in the same way," one expert said.

Congress scrutinizes increased prices on specialty drugs
August 11, 2008

A study found that the cost of specialty drugs has risen by 100% or more, prompting Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., chairman of Congress' Joint Economic Committee, to call on the Government Accountability Office to investigate the price hikes. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America defended the increase, saying treatments for rare disorders are often risky and more expensive to produce.

Mass. governor signs bill with doctor-gift ban provision
August 11, 2008

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law a health care bill that includes a provision requiring drugmakers and device firms to report all gifts to physicians that exceed $50. Patrick said the measure will boost health care quality and cost-effectiveness, but some drug industry groups said the measure could hinder research in the state.

CDC: 40% of U.S. adults have been tested for HIV
August 08, 2008

A new CDC report says about 40% of U.S. adults have had at least one HIV test, but 250,000 people are HIV positive and don't know it. Researchers also found the percentage of Americans getting HIV tests has stayed at 10% annually since 2000, despite efforts to increase testing.

Mass. dental benefits program sees shortage of providers
August 07, 2008

Just 17% of Massachusetts dentists are willing to treat patients who are part of the state program to expand dental coverage to low-income residents, with many citing a low reimbursement rate and burdensome paperwork. Experts are concerned people will not be able to access timely preventive dental care.

AHRQ: All U.S. adults could be overweight in 40 years
August 07, 2008

Every U.S. adult could be overweight in 40 years if current trends continue, a study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality says. Researchers called for a societal effort to improve lifestyles and diets, such as offering more pedestrian-friendly communities and healthier choices from the food industry.

 
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