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Under New Cost-Cutting Medicare Rule, Same Surgery, Same Place, Different Bill
Article Summary: A cost-cutting change in Medicare policy will reduce payments to hospitals for some surgical procedures and increase costs for patients. By Susan Jaffe, KHN, Mar 23, 2021. A cost-saving change in Medicare launched… Read More
Avoid These 8 Types of Health Plans, 30 Patient Organizations Say
Article Summary: This article compiles non-compliant plans that do not adhere to the protections mandated by the Affordable Care Act. Thirty organizations representing patients and consumers issued a report urging people to avoid eight different… Read More
Plant Where 15M J&J Vaccines Were Ruined Has History of Failed Quality Audits
Article Summary: The Baltimore plant that recently had to scrap up to 15 million ruined doses had flouted rules and downplayed errors, according to internal audits, ex-employees and clients. By Katie Adams, Backer’s Hospital Review,… Read More
Humana Inc. Overcharged Medicare Nearly $200 Million, Federal Audit Finds
Article Summary: Humana has overstated the severity of illness of some patients and has overcharged Medicare in a recent OIG audit finding. By Fred Schulte, NPR, Apr 20, 2021. A Humana Inc. health plan for… Read More
After Accident, Patient Crashes Into $700,000 Bill for Spine Surgery
Article Summary: Patient’s personal injury protection exhausted in his auto insurance, leaving him potentially on the hook for thousands. By Julie Appleby, KHN, Apr 22, 2021. Mark Gottlieb’s life changed in an instant when… Read More
8 Key COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Errors
Article Summary: The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is reporting errors made when administering COVID-19 vaccine. By Katie Adams, Becker’s Hospital Review, Apr 23, 2021. Administering a dose other than the one authorized by… Read More
Acella Pharmaceuticals Recalls Thyroid Drug; 43 Serious Adverse Events Reported
Article Summary: Acella Pharmaceuticals has recalled their thyroid drug for sub potency. By Maia Anderson, Becker’s Hospital Review, May 03, 2021. Acella Pharmaceuticals is recalling 38 lots of its thyroid drug after routine testing conducted… Read More
6 Recent Medical Device Recalls
Article Summary: This article compiles medical device recalls reported to the FDA since mid-April, 2021. By Maia Anderson, Becker’s Hospital Review, Apr 30, 2021. Medical device recalls, whether voluntary or mandated by the FDA,… Read More
‘No one was listening’ Long Covid patients struggle to get care for their symptoms
By Allison Bond, STAT, Apr 21, 2021. Summary: COVID long haulers are struggling hard to receive the medical care for their symptoms and being dismissed. Last summer, in the six weeks after she began feeling… Read More