Latest Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare News from American Medical News

Health centers get $150 million for insurance enrollment help

HHS says the effort is intended to simplify the process of signing up for new insurance options under the Affordable Care Act.

Federal action sought to curtail drug noncompliance

As a poll finds that 64% of patients don't always follow drug regimens, a new partnership says far-reaching policies are needed to track adherence.

Paper-only prescribers become a vanishing breed

Federal incentives have helped push electronic prescribing, which the vast majority of physicians are now doing.

Pay that motivates your medical practice staff

How physicians pay employees can be more important than what is paid to ensure they are productive — and aren't looking for work elsewhere.

Pfizer fights Viagra counterfeiters with prescription website

It's the second pharmaceutical giant to launch a branded site to sell medications.

“Seismic shift” lifts primary care's impact on hospital revenues

A survey finding specialists accounting for less revenue to hospitals reflects changes putting more emphasis on primary care as the Affordable Care Act is implemented.

With Medicare posting hospital charges, are doctors next?

Federal officials highlight significant differences among some facilities' prices but are noncommittal about whether they might do the same reporting of physician charges.

Scrutiny grows over EHRs and physician coding

CMS always has kept a close eye on physician billing and is focusing on the connection between electronic health records and a growing number of higher-level codes. Doctors say that concern is misplaced — but some are getting cautious with coding.

Millions uninsured on patchwork Medicaid expansion map

More than 3 million low-income people are projected to stay without coverage in states not expanding, but primary care access problems could hit expansion states.

Health spending slowdown shows signs it will stick

Several studies suggest that lower-than-expected health spending growth reflects systemic changes, not just the most recent economic downturn.

Learn when it’s safe for doctors to say they’re sorry

An Ohio Supreme Court ruling highlights differences among states on protections for doctors to express sympathy to patients without the threat of being sued.

VA tries quality improvement approach to medical ethics

Tools to evaluate how health care facilities perform ethically are in their infancy. The VA Health Care System hopes others can benefit from its experience.

Medicare's payment carrots turn to sticks

Connected coverage — selected articles on trends, challenges and controversies in the changing world of medicine.

Targeted C. diff screenings uncovered asymptomatic infections

Illnesses caused by the bacterium remain at historically high levels, while most other health care-associated infections are declining.

Unwanted price to hospitalists’ growth -- more liability suits

Trends are being sorted out as claims of misdiagnosis and other legal challenges increase, and recordkeeping improves, in a fast-growing specialty.

Guidelines for end-of-life care get update

Slight drop reported in pharma pay to doctors

House hearing focuses on quality’s role in SGR reform

Physician witnesses tell lawmakers that stable payments and a commitment of federal resources are needed to move Medicare beyond fee-for-service.

New HIV guidelines make screening even more routine

Guidelines call for screening adolescents and adults ages 15 to 65 who are not known to be at increased risk for HIV infection.

Disparities seen in treatment of hypertension

Prevention campaign offers doctors tools to fight obesity

Comparative effectiveness research funds awarded

Senators ask Medicare to use bonds to recoup overpayments

Revealed names expose flaw in de-identified patient data

A researcher finds a way to attach identities to nameless records, but information collected by physician practices is not likely to carry the same risks.

Mobile a likely key to more patient portal use

Some hospitals have been successful by launching apps that give patients access to their medical records. Physician practices might find similar interest.