Reimbursement

According to a recent study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, nurse burnout has been linked to higher rates of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which therefore costs hospitals millions of additional dollars each year.

Managing multiple chronic conditions is still elusive for most patients, according to a Kaiser Permanente Colorado Institute for Health Research study that found only "fleeting" success for a minority of MCC patients.

In fiscal year 2013, inpatient hospital payments will be increasing by 2.3 percent ($2.5 billion) under the final rule for the hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital prospective payment systems (PPS). The final rule was issued Wednesday night by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Humana, and dLife Healthcare Solutions have partnered to offer its diabetic Medicare Advantage members a new multimedia self-care and education program based on the success of a 2011 pilot project.

Several key dates are looming as the Affordable Care Act continues its steady transition from legislation to law. There's Jan. 1, when 10 major provisions are slated to go live. Or Nov. 6 -- Election Day -- when the ACA's fate may be decided yet again.

A lot has been written about meaningful use, and although many claim it's "all good," one expert believes its drawbacks, such as the cost of IT and the changes it means for a doctor's practice, could outweigh the benefits of potential HITECH Act stimulus funds.

Medicaid, neither as it exists today nor how it changes under the Affordable Care Act can assure access for the poor. Additionally, costs will not be affordable. Many providers will not see Medicaid recipients, chronic diseases will not be managed, and care will be provided in emergency rooms rather than in more appropriate locations. A radical "do over" may be the best solution.

The newest monthly Physician Wellbeing Index from online medical learning network QuantiaMD shows that 26 percent of primary care physicians report poor financial health.

The Medicaid expansion was supposed to be the least controversial part of the health reform lawsuit. But since the Supreme Court essentially made broadening its eligibility voluntary for states, not a day goes by without news reports guessing how Medicaid will fare in the future.

Grand Junction, Colo., gets a lot of credit and attention as being home to pioneers in providing high-quality, low-cost healthcare. Healthcare leaders in the city of more than 58,000 are once again demonstrating their initiative.