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Medical economics news

Surgery

Medicare prior authorization affecting plastic and reconstructive surgery didn't have hoped-for effect

A policy aiming to save Medicare money has not had the intended effect on outpatient surgery. As the policy expands across the country, researching the results of this policy could inform how adjustments are made moving forward.

Health

Many nations aren't meeting their green health care commitments, study says

Countries around the world are falling short of their international commitments to improve the sustainability of their health care systems, according to a new study co-led by Yale's Jodi Sherman.

HIV & AIDS

Study finds telehealth effective for HIV patients

A Rutgers Health study suggests telehealth could be a viable long-term option for people living with HIV, potentially saving them time, effort and expense related to in-person medical visits.

Health

The Medicare Advantage influence machine

Federal officials resolved more than a decade ago to crack down on whopping government overpayments to private Medicare Advantage health insurance plans, which were siphoning off billions of tax dollars every year.

Medical economics

Medical billing mistakes due to flawed system

New research reveals GPs and specialists are ill-equipped to manage their Medicare compliance obligations, and have trouble accessing accurate advice and education, which can lead to billing errors. It finds that structural ...

Neuroscience

Africa's brain specialist shortfall is 'risking lives'

A critical shortfall in neurologists in Africa must be addressed in order to meet the health needs of patients with disorders that affect the brain, nerve and spinal cord, a study says.

Medical research

Ethnic disparities seen in enrollment for a clinical trial​

(HealthDay)—In the Bronchiolitis Follow-up Intervention Trial (BeneFIT) setting, physicians more often determined that Hispanic patients were not appropriate for as-needed follow-up and excluded them from the trial, according ...

Health

Blood lead levels in Haiti 'a warning for other countries'

Blood lead levels among the population of Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince are on average five times higher than in the United States, say researchers, highlighting the urgent need to address the problem in developing countries ...

Medications

Pressure leads GPs to increase antibiotic prescribing

The pressure GPs are working under has been linked to increasing broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing in England by health economists at The University of Manchester and University of Southern Denmark.

Medical economics

Insurance coverage for acupuncture up from 2010 to 2019

(HealthDay)—Insurance coverage for acupuncturist visits increased from 2010 to 2019, but most costs are paid out of pocket, according to a research letter published online Jan. 12 in JAMA Network Open.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Three problems with fines for not reporting positive COVID tests

The NSW government this week decreed that anyone returning a positive COVID-19 reading using a rapid antigen test must report their result (through the Service NSW app or website). Failing to do so can result in a $1,000 ...