Senate Panel Promotes Delay of Stage 3 Meaningful Use Rules, Physicians Agree

Senate Panel Promotes Delay of Stage 3 Meaningful Use Rules, Physicians Agree

The Senate Health Education Labor & Pensions Committee is asking to delay Stage 3 meaningful use rules. The Committee’s chairman, Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) have been meeting regularly to advocate their policy suggestions and draft regulations to be implemented by HHS Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell.

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Prepare for ICD-10's Financial Impacts Now and After Oct. 1st

Prepare for ICD-10's Financial Impacts Now and After Oct. 1st

ICD-10 implementation is just 2 months away and it is significantly impacting many practice’s financials even now. A small practice can expect to spend as much as $2,000 or even $3,000 per provider to convert to ICD-10 according to the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management. It is imperative to set aside cash reserves now or apply for a line of credit to help mitigate increased expenses before Oct. 1st and revenue reductions after Oct. 1st.

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Why China's Healthcare Insurance Progressions Matter

Why China's Healthcare Insurance Progressions Matter

China’s central government recently announced that public healthcare insurance will now include certain services in China’s private hospitals. China will need to expand the amount of reimbursement available for specific healthcare in order to cultivate a private health care sector.

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UCLA Health System Hacked, 4.5 Million Affected

UCLA’s Health System, comprised of 4 hospitals, announced that 4.5 million patient’s protected health information and Social Security Numbers were compromised. This is the 4th largest HIPAA breach ever reported. The cyber-attack occurred last September, but patients were not notified until July 17th. This is the 2nd breach that UCLA has faced because a laptop containing patient medical data was stolen from a former employee’s home in 2011.

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Contraception Initiative Cuts Teen Pregnancy and Abortions in Colorado

In Colorado, a contraception initiative effectively reduced the teenage birthrate by 40% from 2009 to 2013 while teenage abortions dropped 42%. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) carried out the initiative as an aggressive outreach program using private money since the state legislature did not approve the program. Private foundations have funded the distribution of more than 30,000 intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants at 68 family planning clinics across the state at little to no cost to young women. The contraceptive implant is a very small plastic rod that contains a small amount of hormones and is inserted just under the skin of the arm. It can prevent pregnancy effectively for 3-5 years once inserted and can be easily removed at any time to restore normal fertility.

Unfortunately, the private grant is running out and the CDPHE has been searching for additional funds to continue the program. It would be in the state General Assembly’s best interest to provide the needed funds for several reasons. Firstly, the failure rate of the implants and IUDs is minuscule, which reduces unplanned pregnancies and in turn makes it easier for young women to finish high school or college. Secondly, increased use of these contraceptives can save taxpayers money by reducing spending on prenatal care, deliveries and post-pregnancy care for poor mothers and their children. The state health department estimates that every dollar spent on the long-lasting contraceptive program saved $5.85 for the state Medicaid program, which covers more than three-quarters of teenage pregnancies and births. Lastly, the Affordable Care Act requires insurance plans to cover contraceptives and this program proves is can reduce unintended pregnancies, which in turn reduces costs across the board. Reducing those costs and continuing to fund this contraception program is crucial to ensure that all women have access to the kinds of contraceptives that have produced such extraordinary results in Colorado.

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Alison Killian is a recent graduate of Grove City College who majored in Business Management and minored in Biology Studies. She is a contributor to Medical Groups and passionate about all facets of healthcare. She plans on continuing work in the healthcare field especially in management. She is very interested in healthcare innovation and finding ways to improve the current system. She hopes to go back to school in a few years to earn a degree in medicine.