Medicare Stories http://www.medicarestories.com Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:37:40 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en XDR-TB prevention starts with TB treatment A study stresses the need to treat tuberculosis carefully the first time around to curb the rise of resistant strains. http://www.medicarestories.com/2008/11/21/xdr-tb-prevention-starts-with-tb-treatment/ Smoking heightens aortic rupture risk for women Abdominal aortic aneurysms are more common in older male smokers but perhaps more deadly for women, a study reported. http://www.medicarestories.com/2008/11/21/smoking-heightens-aortic-rupture-risk-for-women/ Tourniquet designed for fingers and toes A California emergency physician saw a need and developed a product to fill it. http://www.medicarestories.com/2008/11/21/tourniquet-designed-for-fingers-and-toes/ Developer offers concierge care to luxury condo buyers In a tough real estate market, the seller hopes that at-home health care will prove to be an attractive amenity to prospective residents. http://www.medicarestories.com/2008/11/21/developer-offers-concierge-care-to-luxury-condo-buyers/ Michigan medical society to launch health IT exchange The MSMS-sponsored network will be offered free to society members in hopes of driving adoption of information technology. http://www.medicarestories.com/2008/11/21/michigan-medical-society-to-launch-health-it-exchange/ Finding the right floor: How much should insurers spend on medical care? Several states are looking at setting or raising minimum medical-loss ratios. http://www.medicarestories.com/2008/11/21/finding-the-right-floor-how-much-should-insurers-spend-on-medical-care/ Washington becomes 2nd state to allow physician-assisted suicide Nearly 60% of voters approved the measure. Aid-in-dying advocates ponder which state to target next. http://www.medicarestories.com/2008/11/21/washington-becomes-2nd-state-to-allow-physician-assisted-suicide/ AMA Immediate Past President Ron Davis, MD, succumbs to pancreatic cancer The leader leaves a legacy of promoting public health and preventive medicine. http://www.medicarestories.com/2008/11/21/ama-immediate-past-president-ron-davis-md-succumbs-to-pancreatic-cancer/ CMS criticized for lax enforcement of HIPAA security rules Agency officials disputed the OIG findings but agreed to enhance compliance-assurance activities. http://www.medicarestories.com/2008/11/21/cms-criticized-for-lax-enforcement-of-hipaa-security-rules/ Medicare finalizes 1.1% pay raise, bonus criteria But physician organizations worry that new doctor enrollment restrictions starting in January 2009 will cause more payment problems. http://www.medicarestories.com/2008/11/21/medicare-finalizes-11-pay-raise-bonus-criteria/