June 20, 1863 -- 155 years old Did you know? The Central United Methodist in Fairmont, WV was the first to celebrate Father's Day. West Virginia State Gov't News "Your Week in the Know" June 15, 2018 The Lead Commerce Secretary Thrasher resigns at Governor Justice’s request CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice today asked for and received the resignation of Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher, the administration [...]
Today's Top Story Study: Voluntary versus mandatory orthopaedic bundle programs A study published online in Health Affairs found that while both voluntary and mandatory Medicare joint replacement bundled payment programs can engage hospitals in these payment types, mandatory programs can produce “more robust, generalizable evidence.” Researchers analyzed data from Medicare and the American Hospital Association Annual Survey to compare Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BCPI) and Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model (CJR) joint replacement bundled programs. [...]
Today's Top Story Study: Biomarkers associated with osteolysis could aid in total hip replacement efficacy Biomarkers may be predictive of osteolysis risk in patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR), according to a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research. Using 24-hour urine samples taken from 26 THR patients between 1989 and 1997—16 of whom contracted osteolysis—researchers examined biomarkers at radiographic diagnosis, annually for six years prior to diagnosis, at the first postoperative sampling point, and preoperatively. Of [...]
Today's Top Story CMS unveils CHIP and Medicaid transparency scorecard The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the first Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Scorecard as part of an effort to increase transparency and accountability, and to offer insights into how their dollars are spent and the impact on health outcomes. The first version of the scorecard includes measures such as state health system performance, state administrative accountability, and federal administrative accountability, as [...]
Top Stories Officials to untangle tangled web of legal processes in the Loughry 32-count indictment case Following months of investigation, the West Virginia Judicial Investigation Commission filed a 32-count statement of charges against Loughry on Wednesday, accusing him of abusing the prestige of his office and lying to the news media, lawmakers and the public in general about his personal use of state resources, including furniture, computers and cars, all in violation of the West Virginia [...]
Today's Top Story Medicare may become insolvent by 2026 A report from the Medicare Board of Trustees reveals that Medicare Part D drug spending is projected to lose solvency in 2026, three years earlier than 2017 predictions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said this is due to higher manufacturer rebates, a decline in spending for hepatitis C drugs, and a slowdown in spending growth for diabetes medications. Total Medicare costs are expected to grow [...]
June 6, 2018 Today's Top Story CMS misses deadline to provide data on bundled-payment program Modern Healthcare reports that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) missed its deadline to provide claims data on its Bundled Payment for Care Improvement Advanced program to all provider groups that applied to participate in the voluntary program, which aims to better coordinate care, improve quality of care, and reduce expenditures. CMS said it would share data [...]
Today's Top Story Study: Most TJA patients may not receive opioid prescriptions from orthopaedists According to a study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty, patients appear to receive opioid prescriptions from various physicians before and after total joint arthroplasty (TJA), the majority of which are not provided by their orthopaedic surgeon. Researchers evaluated patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty between 2008 and 2012 and used the Total Joint Replacement Registry and pharmacy data to identify [...]
Top Stories Disaster recovery leader says RISE West Virginia is ‘stagnant’ CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Jack Lipphardt, director of West Virginia United Methodist Disaster Recovery, is frustrated by the pace of long-term flood recovery. In mid-May, Lipphardt wrote a letter to Sen. Joe Manchin’s office, asking for assistance. Emails reveal more details surrounding WV flood recovery program's woes Amid several emails wondering why a $150 million flood recovery program wasn’t getting money to the people it was [...]
Today's Top Story Study: Most TJA patients may not receive opioid prescriptions from orthopaedists According to a study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty, patients appear to receive opioid prescriptions from various physicians before and after total joint arthroplasty (TJA), the majority of which are not provided by their orthopaedic surgeon. Researchers evaluated patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty between 2008 and 2012 and used the Total Joint Replacement Registry and pharmacy data to identify [...]