“My view you know is that the ultimate destination is the nursing of the sick in their own homes.”
- Florence Nightingale 1867
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Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Nursing Students Participate in Blessing of the Hands
Posted on 11.MAR.09
| Nursing students enrolled at Piedmont Technical College are being prepared not only in mind, but in spirit through a recent Blessing of the Hands service, presented by the Pastoral Services Department of Self Regional Healthcare. The purpose of today is to remind you that what you do is sacred, said Chaplain Steve Lemons, director. The non-denominational ceremony was for all first year students. This is a wonderful starting point to teach them about the caring side of nursing, said Holisa Wharton, instructor and organizer. You can't go into nursing without faith. You can't try to help the body without helping the spirit. Students were welcomed by the members of the Pastoral Services Department with prayers and audience participation activities. Holy God, as oil was used as a base for medicine in ancient times, we ask you to bless our use of this oil today, said Chaplain Bob Albert. May its texture remind us that the soothing work of our hands is also pleasing to you. Following the prayer, students were invited to participate in the anointing ceremony. Chaplains anointed each student's hands with the oil and said a prayer of blessing. Lemons then reminded students of the importance of compassion in their chosen field. You start out with a heart and compassion for the people. You will be tempted to become institutionalized, he said. It is up to you to keep your heart tender and remember you have a calling. Students left the ceremony with a new appreciation of the nursing profession and what is required of them. This ceremony brings us together in a creative way to unite us with our hands because they are important in what we're doing, said Daniel Bange from Ward. It makes us sit down and think about the career we have chosen. I felt the spirit, said Annie McGee from Newberry. They shared a lot of things today - caring, love and compassion and being a nurse -being part of the healing. from greenwood today |
Learn the Basics on Chiropractic Schools and Careers
The word “chiropractic” comes from the Greek meaning “done by hand”. It sprang up in 1895 in an era in which modern medicine was very much a fledgling and scores of alternative healing practices were being advanced and promoted. Chiropractic is a health care approach and profession that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Chiropractic was officially started by a Canadian, David D. Palmer, from Port Perry, Ontario who was by training a “magnetic healer” and living in Davenport, Iowa at the time. The mechanical disorder of the musculoskeletal system affects general health via the nervous system. It is generally considered to be complementary and alternative medicine, a description that many chiropractors reject. It is often holistic and often touts the fact that the body is self-healing and usually doesn’t need drugs or surgery. The main treatment involves manual therapy. It includes manipulation of the spine, other joints, and soft tissue. Spinal manipulation allegedly unblocks nerves so the body can heal itself. Also, the treatment includes exercises and health lifestyle counseling. Chiropractic seems like a materialistic version of Chinese acupuncture that uses needles. In chiropractic, hands and fingers are used in manipulating nerves rather than the flow of chi in acupuncture.
For More Information, Visit medschoolsphere.com
For More Information, Visit medschoolsphere.com
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Ten healthcare fields that can't wait to hire you.
From answerfaqs.com
Healthcare is one of the hottest career fields in America today. The aging and retiring of the largest population segment in the country, known as 'baby boomers', has left the healthcare industry racing to find enough employees to fill the void. Advances in medical technology and treatment are causing people to live longer as well. Add the fact many universities and colleges don't have enough teachers to train new employees; there becomes a ripe market for healthcare careers. You would be amazed as to how many types of healthcare careers there are available. This article will discuss three main categories; patient care, non-patient care and operations.
We'll also discuss an amazing new trend with tremendous opportunity ' home health.
Three main healthcare jobs in the category of patient care are nursing, medical assisting and dental hygiene.
Nursing consists mainly of direct patient care, but this can take place in a hospital, private doctor's office, or an institution like a school, ski resort or cruise ship. With additional education or experience, some nurses become nurse managers, shift supervisors, epidemiologists, or counsel to insurance companies and law offices.
Medical assistants primarily provide patient care; performing routine medical functions to free up the time of the doctor. In the past, some of these medical services could only be provided by doctors. Medical assistants administer medication, take vital signs and update medical history.
Dental hygienists perform a similar function to medical assistants, only in a dentist's office. A hygienist will clean teeth, advise patients on proper dental health and assist dentists with more complex procedures. The outlook for this profession is excellent, with demand far outpacing supply.
Many non-patient care positions also exist in the healthcare field.
Medical coding is one such profession. Medical coders must know terminology and how to read a patient's chart. They update medical records every time a patient receives healthcare. Some upward mobility is available in management. Many people secure a job as a coder as a way to subsidize further medical education.
Medical office administration is another healthcare position that doesn't involve patient care. These positions answer phones, coordinate with hospitals and check in/out patients. Moves to office management or medical coding/billing are advancement opportunities. Some people also use this position to further their education.
Healthcare institutions are a large employer of operational positions as well.
Information technology professionals are in strong demand since hospitals utilize state of the art databases to store patient's medical and billing records. Database administrators and web programmers are a vital part of a hospital's daily operations.
Medical billing and administration is another key component of healthcare operations. Medical facilities hire for billing positions, collections and administrative support. Special courses / experience are required in medical terminology and billing to obtain these types of jobs.
A rapidly growing sector of healthcare where all of these positions are required is that of home health. In the next six years, Medicare funding of home healthcare is expected to double. Over 7.6 million patients are being treated at home for both long term and short term care. Home healthcare is considered by the medical field and health insurers to be the most cost effective, humane and compassionate method of care.
The shortage of experienced healthcare workers in the United States is creating a boom for people who want to enter this field. There are many career options including positions that involve patient care and those that don't. The current shortage of employees has created excellent starting salaries, generous benefits and signing bonuses.
For more information on how you can get the proper training, go here www.top-colleges.com.
Healthcare is one of the hottest career fields in America today. The aging and retiring of the largest population segment in the country, known as 'baby boomers', has left the healthcare industry racing to find enough employees to fill the void. Advances in medical technology and treatment are causing people to live longer as well. Add the fact many universities and colleges don't have enough teachers to train new employees; there becomes a ripe market for healthcare careers. You would be amazed as to how many types of healthcare careers there are available. This article will discuss three main categories; patient care, non-patient care and operations.
We'll also discuss an amazing new trend with tremendous opportunity ' home health.
Three main healthcare jobs in the category of patient care are nursing, medical assisting and dental hygiene.
Nursing consists mainly of direct patient care, but this can take place in a hospital, private doctor's office, or an institution like a school, ski resort or cruise ship. With additional education or experience, some nurses become nurse managers, shift supervisors, epidemiologists, or counsel to insurance companies and law offices.
Medical assistants primarily provide patient care; performing routine medical functions to free up the time of the doctor. In the past, some of these medical services could only be provided by doctors. Medical assistants administer medication, take vital signs and update medical history.
Dental hygienists perform a similar function to medical assistants, only in a dentist's office. A hygienist will clean teeth, advise patients on proper dental health and assist dentists with more complex procedures. The outlook for this profession is excellent, with demand far outpacing supply.
Many non-patient care positions also exist in the healthcare field.
Medical coding is one such profession. Medical coders must know terminology and how to read a patient's chart. They update medical records every time a patient receives healthcare. Some upward mobility is available in management. Many people secure a job as a coder as a way to subsidize further medical education.
Medical office administration is another healthcare position that doesn't involve patient care. These positions answer phones, coordinate with hospitals and check in/out patients. Moves to office management or medical coding/billing are advancement opportunities. Some people also use this position to further their education.
Healthcare institutions are a large employer of operational positions as well.
Information technology professionals are in strong demand since hospitals utilize state of the art databases to store patient's medical and billing records. Database administrators and web programmers are a vital part of a hospital's daily operations.
Medical billing and administration is another key component of healthcare operations. Medical facilities hire for billing positions, collections and administrative support. Special courses / experience are required in medical terminology and billing to obtain these types of jobs.
A rapidly growing sector of healthcare where all of these positions are required is that of home health. In the next six years, Medicare funding of home healthcare is expected to double. Over 7.6 million patients are being treated at home for both long term and short term care. Home healthcare is considered by the medical field and health insurers to be the most cost effective, humane and compassionate method of care.
The shortage of experienced healthcare workers in the United States is creating a boom for people who want to enter this field. There are many career options including positions that involve patient care and those that don't. The current shortage of employees has created excellent starting salaries, generous benefits and signing bonuses.
For more information on how you can get the proper training, go here www.top-colleges.com.
‘Giving kisses’: Hamilton resident publishes a book on caring for Alzheimer’s victims
By Stephanie Silverstein / ssilvers@cnc.com
Tue Mar 10, 2009, 05:26 PM EDT
from wickedlocal.com
Hamilton -
Hamilton resident Barbara Smith did not always have a close relationship with her mother. Growing up in New York City with a mother who worried provided challenges that teenagers are typically faced with.
As Smith grew up, moved to New England, and started her own family, her relationship with her mother, Sarah Smith, grew stronger. Toward the end of Sarah’s life, the pair were as close as could be.
Sarah had developed Alzheimer’s disease, and Barbara did everything she could to make her mother’s life the best it could be during her eight-year battle with the disease. Now, Barbara is sharing her experience and knowledge with other caregivers in her recently published book “Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer’s Victim You Love.”
“My book is a combination of the story of her earlier life, but also the transition into developing Alzheimer’s and what to expect in the different stages,” Barbara said.
The book describes ways to change the victim’s environment, such as adapting the living space to be more safe and comfortable, including removing matches and candles and disabling appliances. Barbara prepared food for her mother that did not involve cooking, such as sandwiches and raw vegetables.
Behavioral interventions are described in the book, as well. For example, if the victim is living in an assisted living facility and is unhappy, saying they do not want to live there and hate it there, the caregiver should redirect them, saying something like, “Let’s go for a walk right now, and we’ll talk about that later.”
Barbara, an occupational therapist, drew on her own knowledge that could be applied and read several books about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia before writing her book. In it, she includes an annotated bibliography of her favorite books on the subject that give different types of information and perspectives.
“It’s mainly for caregivers,” Barbara said. A caregiver is someone, such as a spouse, who takes care of their loved one, or is someone who visits the victim regularly and advocates for them. “It’s also written for healthcare professionals, or paraprofessionals like nurses aides who work in assisted living, home care, nursing homes, and senior centers.”
Sarah began developing Alzheimer’s disease while living in Connecticut. Barbara arranged for her to move closer so she could care for her and visit her more easily. Sarah moved to Heritage At Danvers, and then to a nursing home in Beverly, where she died at the age of 86 last April.
“I got the idea of writing this book during the last five years because I felt that so much happened. I developed so many activities and all the information, my experiences, I thought would be helpful for other people,” Barbara said.
When Sarah first moved into the nursing home, she spent a lot of time alone. Barbara put together a book with large print song lyrics so her mother could sit and sing, keeping her mind occupied when there was no other form of social stimulation. She also wrote a story for her mother, the story of Sarah Smith. Each page described a part of Sarah’s life.
“At first, she knew it was about her,” Barbara said. Then, she read it and seemed to be learning something new. “When she read this, it put material in her mind, something to think about.”
Barbara said her mother loved when she read the story to her.
“She felt like she was learning about herself,” Barbara said.
She made a point to incorporate Sarah’s religion into her every day life, as her mother had always done.
“I paid of lot of attention to try and help the facilities provide the Jewish culture that she really wanted,” Barbara said. “I wanted her to be happy and enjoy whatever simulation she related to and enjoyed.”
Barbara said people with Alzheimer’s disease have difficulty learning anything new, so they are more comfortable and become involved with activities more easily if they are already familiar to them.
“Even though this is a depressing topic, I wrote my book and I have created presentations that are uplifting, and hopefully fun,” Barbara said. “There are positives aspects to the whole experience. People who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s don’t choose to become involved with Alzheimer’s. If you’re like me, and you have no choice, you should turn it into a positive experience.”
For more information about Barbara Smith’s upcoming courses and presentations, or to purchase the book, visit http://www.barbarasmithoccupationaltherapist.com/.
Upcoming events for caregivers
Barbara Smith will be presenting at Woodbridge Assisted Living, 240 Lynnfield St., Peabody at 6:30 p.m. on March 12. To register, call Doreen Tanzella at 978-532-4411.
Smith will be presenting at the Rosewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 22 Johnson St., West Peabody, on April 16 at 6:30 p.m. To register, call 866-747-2263.
Smith is scheduled to teach a course for caregivers at Salem State College, beginning March 24. For more information, visit www.salemstate.edu.
Tue Mar 10, 2009, 05:26 PM EDT
from wickedlocal.com
Hamilton -
Hamilton resident Barbara Smith did not always have a close relationship with her mother. Growing up in New York City with a mother who worried provided challenges that teenagers are typically faced with.
As Smith grew up, moved to New England, and started her own family, her relationship with her mother, Sarah Smith, grew stronger. Toward the end of Sarah’s life, the pair were as close as could be.
Sarah had developed Alzheimer’s disease, and Barbara did everything she could to make her mother’s life the best it could be during her eight-year battle with the disease. Now, Barbara is sharing her experience and knowledge with other caregivers in her recently published book “Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer’s Victim You Love.”
“My book is a combination of the story of her earlier life, but also the transition into developing Alzheimer’s and what to expect in the different stages,” Barbara said.
The book describes ways to change the victim’s environment, such as adapting the living space to be more safe and comfortable, including removing matches and candles and disabling appliances. Barbara prepared food for her mother that did not involve cooking, such as sandwiches and raw vegetables.
Behavioral interventions are described in the book, as well. For example, if the victim is living in an assisted living facility and is unhappy, saying they do not want to live there and hate it there, the caregiver should redirect them, saying something like, “Let’s go for a walk right now, and we’ll talk about that later.”
Barbara, an occupational therapist, drew on her own knowledge that could be applied and read several books about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia before writing her book. In it, she includes an annotated bibliography of her favorite books on the subject that give different types of information and perspectives.
“It’s mainly for caregivers,” Barbara said. A caregiver is someone, such as a spouse, who takes care of their loved one, or is someone who visits the victim regularly and advocates for them. “It’s also written for healthcare professionals, or paraprofessionals like nurses aides who work in assisted living, home care, nursing homes, and senior centers.”
Sarah began developing Alzheimer’s disease while living in Connecticut. Barbara arranged for her to move closer so she could care for her and visit her more easily. Sarah moved to Heritage At Danvers, and then to a nursing home in Beverly, where she died at the age of 86 last April.
“I got the idea of writing this book during the last five years because I felt that so much happened. I developed so many activities and all the information, my experiences, I thought would be helpful for other people,” Barbara said.
When Sarah first moved into the nursing home, she spent a lot of time alone. Barbara put together a book with large print song lyrics so her mother could sit and sing, keeping her mind occupied when there was no other form of social stimulation. She also wrote a story for her mother, the story of Sarah Smith. Each page described a part of Sarah’s life.
“At first, she knew it was about her,” Barbara said. Then, she read it and seemed to be learning something new. “When she read this, it put material in her mind, something to think about.”
Barbara said her mother loved when she read the story to her.
“She felt like she was learning about herself,” Barbara said.
She made a point to incorporate Sarah’s religion into her every day life, as her mother had always done.
“I paid of lot of attention to try and help the facilities provide the Jewish culture that she really wanted,” Barbara said. “I wanted her to be happy and enjoy whatever simulation she related to and enjoyed.”
Barbara said people with Alzheimer’s disease have difficulty learning anything new, so they are more comfortable and become involved with activities more easily if they are already familiar to them.
“Even though this is a depressing topic, I wrote my book and I have created presentations that are uplifting, and hopefully fun,” Barbara said. “There are positives aspects to the whole experience. People who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s don’t choose to become involved with Alzheimer’s. If you’re like me, and you have no choice, you should turn it into a positive experience.”
For more information about Barbara Smith’s upcoming courses and presentations, or to purchase the book, visit http://www.barbarasmithoccupationaltherapist.com/.
Upcoming events for caregivers
Barbara Smith will be presenting at Woodbridge Assisted Living, 240 Lynnfield St., Peabody at 6:30 p.m. on March 12. To register, call Doreen Tanzella at 978-532-4411.
Smith will be presenting at the Rosewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 22 Johnson St., West Peabody, on April 16 at 6:30 p.m. To register, call 866-747-2263.
Smith is scheduled to teach a course for caregivers at Salem State College, beginning March 24. For more information, visit www.salemstate.edu.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides
By Brad J Jones
As other healthcare careers, jobs for occupational therapy assistants and aides are expected to rise significantly in the near future with the increasing demand for rehabilitation services and long term care. These jobs available in various healthcare firms in the United States provide occupational therapy professionals with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, gain valuable experience and improve their lifestyle.
Eligibility Requirements
To become an occupational therapy assistant, candidates must have an associate degree or a certificate from a recognized institution (school/college) along with a pass certificate in the national certification exam. In addition to a high school diploma, OT aides must have strong interpersonal skills and a desire to help people. Normally, they receive instructions on the job.
Duties of Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides
With the essential educational requirements, candidates can look for part time, full time, long term, short term, temporary, permanent or traveling jobs in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, institutions, nursing clinics and residential care facilities. OT assistants and aides provide rehabilitation services to individuals with developmental, physical, emotional and mental impairments and help them regain their abilities under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists. OT assistants help the patients with rehabilitation programs and exercises specified by occupational therapists. Occupational therapy aides are responsible for assembling the equipment used during treatment. They do all clerical tasks, which involves filling out insurance forms, restocking or ordering depleted supplies, answering the telephone, scheduling appointments and other paperwork. As they are not licensed, they are restricted from doing as many different duties as OT assistants.
Comprehensive Benefit Package
Common benefits for assistant therapists and aides include:
• Professional liability insurance• Continuing education• High lucrative salary plus bonus• Section 125 Cafeteria plan• Paid housing• Health and life insurance• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan• Short-term disability insurance
Now, a number of recruiting agencies help both locally trained and internationally trained candidates to find preferred jobs in the therapy sector. These agencies assist the foreign candidates in obtaining the necessary immigration clearance, licensing and work visa. Candidates, who are looking to broaden their skills and experience, can grab these jobs by registering their names with these firms online.
From jobs.resumecandidate.com
As other healthcare careers, jobs for occupational therapy assistants and aides are expected to rise significantly in the near future with the increasing demand for rehabilitation services and long term care. These jobs available in various healthcare firms in the United States provide occupational therapy professionals with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, gain valuable experience and improve their lifestyle.
Eligibility Requirements
To become an occupational therapy assistant, candidates must have an associate degree or a certificate from a recognized institution (school/college) along with a pass certificate in the national certification exam. In addition to a high school diploma, OT aides must have strong interpersonal skills and a desire to help people. Normally, they receive instructions on the job.
Duties of Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides
With the essential educational requirements, candidates can look for part time, full time, long term, short term, temporary, permanent or traveling jobs in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, institutions, nursing clinics and residential care facilities. OT assistants and aides provide rehabilitation services to individuals with developmental, physical, emotional and mental impairments and help them regain their abilities under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists. OT assistants help the patients with rehabilitation programs and exercises specified by occupational therapists. Occupational therapy aides are responsible for assembling the equipment used during treatment. They do all clerical tasks, which involves filling out insurance forms, restocking or ordering depleted supplies, answering the telephone, scheduling appointments and other paperwork. As they are not licensed, they are restricted from doing as many different duties as OT assistants.
Comprehensive Benefit Package
Common benefits for assistant therapists and aides include:
• Professional liability insurance• Continuing education• High lucrative salary plus bonus• Section 125 Cafeteria plan• Paid housing• Health and life insurance• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan• Short-term disability insurance
Now, a number of recruiting agencies help both locally trained and internationally trained candidates to find preferred jobs in the therapy sector. These agencies assist the foreign candidates in obtaining the necessary immigration clearance, licensing and work visa. Candidates, who are looking to broaden their skills and experience, can grab these jobs by registering their names with these firms online.
From jobs.resumecandidate.com
Monday, March 2, 2009
Breaking Down Obama's Health Care Cuts
By Ken Terry February 27th, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
Under President Obama’s budget proposal, about half of the money required to fund his $634 billion “reserve fund” for health reform would come from changes in Medicare and Medicaid spending. Jacob Goldstein of the WSJ Health Blog has dug up a detailed list of these projected savings from 2010-2019 in the budget plan. The biggest savings ($176.6 billion) would come from changing the current method of paying Medicare Advantage plans, which has resulted in CMS paying these insurers 14 percent more per beneficiary than it does for traditional fee-for-service Medicare.
Other major categories include “change Medicare home health payments” ($37.1 billion), ”reallocate Medicare and Medicaid improvement funds” ($23.9 billion), “increase and extend rebates on drugs purchased by Medicaid patients” ($19.5 billion), “bundle Medicare payments for hospital and post-hospital care” ($17.8 billion), “create ‘quality incentive payments’ for hospitals” ($12.1 billion), “allow FDA approval of generic biotech drugs” ($9.24 billion), and “drive down hospital readmission rates for Medicare patients” ($8.43 billion).
Attempts to limit home health care payments have been ongoing since the 1990s but have had little success in the long run. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) advised Congress not to give home health agencies a payment increase in 2009. In its report, MedPAC noted that after being cut radically in the 1997-2000 period, Medicare payments for home health care had risen 55 percent from $8.5 billion in 2000 to $13.2 billion in 2006. The number of home health agencies, which had a 15.4 percent average profit margin in 2006, rose from 6,881 to 9,227 during the same period.
A few other comments are also in order:
Experts like Robert Berenson of the Urban Institute have advocated bundling Medicare payments for hospital and post-acute care for years. Yet it remains an untried approach, with uncertain savings.
The same goes for driving down hospital readmission rates for Medicare patients. While readmissions result, in some cases, from poor inpatient care or inadequate discharge planning, it’s not clear how CMS will factor case-mix severity into financial penalties for readmissions.
FDA approval of generic biotech drugs is a great idea, considering that the brand-name equivalents can cost up to $200,000 annually per patient. But will it save the government nearly $1 billion a year?
As fascinating as this breakdown were some of the comments on the WSJ blog. Besides the expected predictions that insurers would dump Medicare HMOs and that investors would abandon biotech drug companies, there was a spirited debate about whether specialist physicians are paid too much. One Boston doctor weighed in with the sage observation that specialists deserve their high pay because of their extra training. “Comparing pediatrician to interventional radiologist is like comparing control tower operator to airline pilot,” he wrote.
In light of this denigration of primary care, it was interesting to read the excellent article in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine by Elliott Fisher, Julie Bynum, and Jonathan Skinner. Entitled “Slowing The Growth of Health Costs—Lessons From Regional Variation,” the commentary argues that if physicians across the country practiced more like their colleagues in San Francisco and Minnesota, and less like those in New York and Florida, we could easily get health costs under control. To do that, they point out, health care fragmentation must be reduced, and physicians must be paid differently. Of course, their prescription for reform would reduce specialist incomes, because volume would no longer be the basis of reimbursement, and primary-care physicians would have incentives not to refer patients unnecessarily. But in the long run, patients would be healthier because of better access to primary care and better coordination of care.
Tags: Payment, Patient, Medicare, Health Care, Healthcare..., Vertical Industries, Enterprise Software, Software, Ken Terry
From industry.bnet.com
Under President Obama’s budget proposal, about half of the money required to fund his $634 billion “reserve fund” for health reform would come from changes in Medicare and Medicaid spending. Jacob Goldstein of the WSJ Health Blog has dug up a detailed list of these projected savings from 2010-2019 in the budget plan. The biggest savings ($176.6 billion) would come from changing the current method of paying Medicare Advantage plans, which has resulted in CMS paying these insurers 14 percent more per beneficiary than it does for traditional fee-for-service Medicare.
Other major categories include “change Medicare home health payments” ($37.1 billion), ”reallocate Medicare and Medicaid improvement funds” ($23.9 billion), “increase and extend rebates on drugs purchased by Medicaid patients” ($19.5 billion), “bundle Medicare payments for hospital and post-hospital care” ($17.8 billion), “create ‘quality incentive payments’ for hospitals” ($12.1 billion), “allow FDA approval of generic biotech drugs” ($9.24 billion), and “drive down hospital readmission rates for Medicare patients” ($8.43 billion).
Attempts to limit home health care payments have been ongoing since the 1990s but have had little success in the long run. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) advised Congress not to give home health agencies a payment increase in 2009. In its report, MedPAC noted that after being cut radically in the 1997-2000 period, Medicare payments for home health care had risen 55 percent from $8.5 billion in 2000 to $13.2 billion in 2006. The number of home health agencies, which had a 15.4 percent average profit margin in 2006, rose from 6,881 to 9,227 during the same period.
A few other comments are also in order:
Experts like Robert Berenson of the Urban Institute have advocated bundling Medicare payments for hospital and post-acute care for years. Yet it remains an untried approach, with uncertain savings.
The same goes for driving down hospital readmission rates for Medicare patients. While readmissions result, in some cases, from poor inpatient care or inadequate discharge planning, it’s not clear how CMS will factor case-mix severity into financial penalties for readmissions.
FDA approval of generic biotech drugs is a great idea, considering that the brand-name equivalents can cost up to $200,000 annually per patient. But will it save the government nearly $1 billion a year?
As fascinating as this breakdown were some of the comments on the WSJ blog. Besides the expected predictions that insurers would dump Medicare HMOs and that investors would abandon biotech drug companies, there was a spirited debate about whether specialist physicians are paid too much. One Boston doctor weighed in with the sage observation that specialists deserve their high pay because of their extra training. “Comparing pediatrician to interventional radiologist is like comparing control tower operator to airline pilot,” he wrote.
In light of this denigration of primary care, it was interesting to read the excellent article in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine by Elliott Fisher, Julie Bynum, and Jonathan Skinner. Entitled “Slowing The Growth of Health Costs—Lessons From Regional Variation,” the commentary argues that if physicians across the country practiced more like their colleagues in San Francisco and Minnesota, and less like those in New York and Florida, we could easily get health costs under control. To do that, they point out, health care fragmentation must be reduced, and physicians must be paid differently. Of course, their prescription for reform would reduce specialist incomes, because volume would no longer be the basis of reimbursement, and primary-care physicians would have incentives not to refer patients unnecessarily. But in the long run, patients would be healthier because of better access to primary care and better coordination of care.
Tags: Payment, Patient, Medicare, Health Care, Healthcare..., Vertical Industries, Enterprise Software, Software, Ken Terry
From industry.bnet.com
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