Best Practice Management

Supreme Court Rules on Case Involving Miranda Rights February 21, 2012
In a busy day, the Supreme Court also extended the length of scheduled arguments in the challenges to the 2010 health care overhaul law.
Santorum Defends Remarks on Obama and Public Schools February 19, 2012
After accusing President Obama of “a phony theology” and likening public schools to “factories” on Saturday, Rick Santorum sought to clarify his remarks but did not back down from them.
The 'Miracle' of Digital Health Records, 50 Years Ago February 17, 2012
The bold predictions of the 1990s that the Internet would disrupt whole industries like retailing and media really did happen -- about a decade later. For the information technology revolution in health care? Apparently, it's 50 years and counting. An experimental project 50 years ago shows how long the goal of computerizing health care records has been pursued -- and how difficult that journey has been.

Medicare & You 2009 March 20, 2009
Summary of Medicare benefits, rights and protections, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicare. (128 pages)
2009 Choosing A Medigap Policy: A Guide To Health Insurance For People With Medicare March 20, 2009
A booklet containing information on choosing a Medigap policy to supplement Original Medicare. (64 pages)
Women and Heart Disease March 20, 2009
This brochure includes information women need to know about heart disease. (2 pages)

Obama budget proposal sidesteps Medicare mandatory spending cuts February 20, 2012
The administration again calls for ending steep physician pay cuts by eliminating Medicare's sustainable growth rate formula, but without saying how to finance it.
New electronic billing standards causing payment woes February 20, 2012
Federal officials say initial problems with HIPAA 5010 have been fixed, but physicians want more time to upgrade systems.
Washington state to restrict emergency Medicaid payments February 20, 2012
Initially blocked in court, the state Medicaid agency will deny payment for more than 500 conditions if treated in emergency departments instead of physician offices.

Fear of punitive response to hospital errors lingers February 20, 2012
Most health professionals remain reluctant to discuss problems or report mistakes freely, despite appeals to hospitals that they stop pointing fingers when things go wrong.
Weighing alternative remedies February 20, 2012
With 53% of Americans using dietary supplements, discussing such products should be part of primary care, doctors say. Physicians offer tips on addressing the subject.
Doctors win redress in online defamation suits February 20, 2012
A former patient is ordered to pay $12 million to an Arizona cosmetic surgeon, while an appeals court rules that a Minnesota neurologist's case may continue.

Are meaningful use bonuses enough to drive EMR adoption? February 22, 2012
A policy report says no, and explains what needs to happen to ensure that health information technology nears its potential.
Florida company aims to spend $300 million for physician practices February 21, 2012
Mednax is making plans for a major buying spree after a slowdown in 2011.
Plans report healthy profits despite new cost demands February 20, 2012
Executives say they expect members to use more health care this year, but few have reported signs of such an uptick.