Monthly Archives: August 2018

  Today's Top Story Study: Revision rates may be lower when failed TKA is treated with knee arthrodesis A retrospective cohort study published online in the Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery found that knee arthrodesis may be an alternative to revision surgery for patients with failed, infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Researchers gathered data for 81 patients with periprosthetic joint infection of the knee who were treated between 2008 and 2014. Thirty-six patients were treated with a [...]

  Today's Top Story Study: Disabled Medicare beneficiaries may use more opioids A study published online in The BMJ found that disabled Medicare beneficiaries used opioids more often over a 10-year period than other Medicare beneficiaries and commercial beneficiaries. Researchers analyzed administrative medical and pharmacy claims data between Jan. 1, 2007, and Dec. 31, 2016, for 48 million Medicare Advantage and commercial insurance beneficiaries to determine prevalence of use, dose, and duration of prescription opioids. They found that [...]

  Today's Top Story ONC and CMS consider patient ownership of health data During the 2018 Interoperability Forum, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) discussed the importance of patient ownership of health data for interoperability. CMS regulators may require that providers share patient data through a universal, standardized platform to prevent information blocking. CMS Administrator Seema Verma said that allowing patients to have complete control [...]

  Today's Top Story CMS announces move to allow drug price negotiations for Medicare The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that, for the first time, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will have the option of negotiating drug prices, as private-sector insurers do, to reduce costs for these beneficiaries. MA plans will have the option of applying step therapy for physician-administered and other Part B drugs. CMS Administrator Seema Verma said, “For too long, MA plans have [...]

  Today's Top Story CMS may no longer pay for spine surgery at same-day centers The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will decide whether to continue to pay for spine surgeries at same-day surgery centers after potentially fatal risks were reported, according to a report from Kaiser Health News. CMS will consider if the surgeries “pose a significant safety risk,” according to a Medicare proposal. The topic garnered attention after a Kaiser Health News and USA [...]

  Today's Top Story Trump administration rolls out short-term health plan option The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury issued a final rule that allows health insurers to offer short-term, limited-duration coverage that is less expensive but also less comprehensive. The short-term plans are available for up to 12 months and can be renewed for a maximum duration of 36 months in total. The administration estimates that premiums will be a third of the cost [...]

  Today's Top Story Study projects 'Medicare for All' costs A study from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Virginia found that Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) “Medicare for All” healthcare plan would cost $32.6 trillion over 10 years (2022–2031), according to a report from The Associated Press. The plan is projected to provide significant savings on administration and drug costs (projected $846 billion over 10 years), but increased demand for care would drive up spending and [...]