Article: Medicare adds to do-not-pay list

By KEVIN FREKING
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WASHINGTON -- Medicare is adding to its do-not-pay list for hospitals two new categories of preventable conditions it won't cover, a much smaller number than it had been contemplating.
Last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services set new ground by determining it no longer pay would extra costs for treating certain preventable conditions, referred to as "never events." An example of a never event is a transfusion with the wrong blood type.

Medicare officials announced Thursday that it no longer will pay the extra-care costs associated with treating dangerous blood clots in the leg following knee or hip-replacement. The program also will not pay extra for complications stemming from poor control of blood sugar levels.

To view the rest of this article click here:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1152ap_medicare_hospital_payments.html

Article: Disease Prevention Called a Better Bet

Disease Prevention Called a Better Bet
Wellness Programs Yield Greater Returns, Report Finds


By Megan Greenwell
Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, July 18, 2008; Page B03

An ounce of prevention in community health programs could save states hundreds of millions in health-care costs, a new study has found.

The report from the Trust for America's Health, a nonprofit health advocacy group, found that programs encouraging physical activity, healthy eating and no smoking were a better investment than those concentrating primarily on treatment.

TO VIEW THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE, CLICK HERE:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/17/AR2008071700990.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Article: Health insurers’ report cards show need for improvement

Report from the AMA.....To read this article, follow this link: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/368/nhirc-flier.pdf

News Article:Employers get more creative to help workers stop smoking.

DETROIT — Can't stop smoking? Your employer wants to help.

For the first time, a growing number of companies is offering free or reduced-cost smoking cessation strategies.

What's in it for you, besides your health?

Your company's health plan may lower your monthly insurance premium, provide a coach to help you stop or help pay for prescription smoking cessation medicines.

Many businesses have become more aggressive and creative in helping workers quit.

TO VIEW THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE, CLICK HERE:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200806020100/BUSINESS/806020324

News Article: Doctors' house calls on the rise. Visits let physicians learn of patients' lives.

Doctors' house calls on the rise
Visits let physicians learn of patients' lives

By CHERIE BLACKP-I REPORTER
John Devine is 82 years old and has no interest in leaving home to socialize with others.

He'll pass on the so-called "senior activities" and get-togethers. He would rather read in the library of his assisted-living facility in Burien.

Wanting to stay home makes doctor visits and routine checkups a bit difficult, though. But Devine, a small, spry man with a Scottish brogue and a mischievous smile, has that taken care of. He has a doctor make a house call to him about once a month for a checkup and to help coordinate any other medical care he needs.

Once considered on the verge of extinction, house calls are making a comeback.

TO VIEW THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE, CLICK HERE:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/364946_housecalls29.html

News Article: Feds Try to Cut Costs of Hospital Errors

Follow this link to read this story:
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/04/14/ap4888243.html