| May 3, 2012 | America's Health Insurance Plans |
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- CDC to call for nationwide HCV testing of baby boomers
CDC officials said they will make a nationwide push for hepatitis C screening because of the rapidly increasing number of baby boomers who are dying from the often silent disease, which can remain dormant for decades while it destroys the liver. Officials said the CDC this year will recommend everyone born between 1945 and 1965 be tested for HCV, which is the primary infectious cause of cirrhosis and hepatic cancer and most common cause of liver transplants. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)
(5/2)     
 | Spotlight Webinar: Going Beyond In-Home Assessments for Prospective Risk Adjustment Improvement
May 9 at 2:00 PM EDT Health plans have place increased importance on In-Home Assessments, but there is more opportunity to improve risk score accuracy and outreach to more members through a comprehensive prospective risk adjustment solution--resulting in a higher return on investment. |
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- CHIME weighs in on stage 2 meaningful use proposal
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives is recommending giving health groups more time to prepare for stage 2 of the meaningful use requirements. "To allow adequate time for application development, provider adoption and testing, CMS should follow the precedent set in Stage 1," including allowing eligible doctors, hospitals and critical access facilities to demonstrate MU of EHRs for a period of 90 days during stage 2's first payment year, CHIME said in its comment letter. Healthcare Informatics online
(4/30)
| Medical Update | | |
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- High BMI, BUN linked to pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis deaths
Children with diabetic ketoacidosis who had a high body mass index and blood urea nitrogen levels of .40 mg/dL faced a greater mortality risk compared with those in a control group, a study presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting found. Researchers said more studies are needed to back the findings. Endocrine Today
(4/30)
- Women are more likely to survive melanoma than men
Women diagnosed with melanoma were about 30% less likely to die from the condition than men, a Dutch study showed. Researchers monitored more than 2,600 melanoma patients for two to 12 years and found that women had a 30% lower risk for experiencing a relapse than men. The findings appear in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Reuters
(5/1)
- Juvenile arthritis is tied to higher infection rates, study shows
Medicaid data on nearly 370,000 children showed that those with juvenile idiopathic arthritis had higher bacterial infection rates while hospitalized than those without the condition. Researchers reported in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism that high-dose steroid use was tied to higher infection rates, but methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors were not. HealthDay News
(5/1)
| Emerging Trends | | |
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- Patient-monitoring tool uses cloud to transmit data to providers
Vivonoetics has designed its EQ02 Equivital Life Monitor for a broad range of applications such as use by military personnel and hospital patients. The new patient-monitoring tool, which was approved by the FDA, is equipped with sensors that keep track of respiratory rates and skin temperature, as well as body motion and position of patients. The device also allows users to transmit data to health care providers' smartphones or computers through cloud technology. MedCityNews.com
(5/1)
- Optovue's scanning device with enhanced speed wins FDA nod
Optovue has secured 510(k) clearance from the FDA for an updated XR version of its RTVue FD-OCT device, which could hit the market during the third quarter. The newly approved product offers spectral-domain OCT speed of 70,000 A-scans per second, allows real-time monitoring and includes an enhanced SharpVue feature. BeckersASC.com
(5/1)
| Health Insurance Plan Company News | | |
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| Pharma News | | |
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 | Premier Networking at AHIP's Institute 2012
AHIP's Institute 2012, June 20 to 22 in Salt Lake City, is the best networking opportunity you'll get all year. With breakfast and lunch sessions, coffee breaks, receptions, and a 200+ company exhibit hall, Institute is a perfect event for meeting fellow health care colleagues. For details, click here.
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Healthways Well-Being Summit: Join us May 16-18, 2012 for a LIVE, interactive webcast of the 4th annual Healthways Well-Being Summit — Peak Performance: Driving Well-Being and What Well-Being Drives. This webcast will feature well-known speakers and big ideas broadcast in real-time. Register today to take part in this unforgettable experience.
Interested in learning more about advertising with SmartBrief? Click here for detailed industry information and media kits.
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| AHIP News | | |
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Expanded Wednesday programming at AHIP’s Institute
Start your Institute 2012 experience with an intensive program on Wednesday, June 20. AHIP has designed a number of workshops giving you an opportunity to learn about critical health care reform issues in a more intensive environment. With our robust selection, you're sure to find something that interests you. Find details here, and register here.
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The AHIP Select Program
Laying the groundwork to implement health care reform at your organization involves finding and working with organizations that can support your efforts. From complex data analysis to information technology solutions, AHIP Select Program Members specialize in providing products and services for the health care industry. Learn more here.
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