WASHINGTON (Reuters)—Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressed concern about two multi-billion dollar insurance mergers on Tuesday, using a Senate hearing to take issue with the companies’ arguments that they face expanding competition from new rivals. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee’s antitrust subcommittee, said he was worried that consumers would be “locked…
China to Expand Medical Insurance for Major Illnesses
BEIJING (Reuters)—China will expand medical insurance to cover all critical illnesses for all urban and rural residents by the end of the year, the cabinet said on Sunday, the latest step in a plan to fix a healthcare system that has sparked public discontent. The State Council said 50% of the medical costs will be…
Do You E-Prescribe—or Just Think You Do?
You’ve bought an electronic medical record (EMR) with e-prescribing capabilities or stand-alone e-prescribing software and are enjoying the benefits of seamlessly writing a computer-generated prescription. Prescriptions are forwarded to the pharmacy where they enter the computer system exactly as they were sent. After all, that’s the benefit of e-prescribing, right?
Collect Co-pays, Deductibles, and Co-insurance Every Time
Do you know how many patients leave physician practices without paying their co-pays? The number is startling, and the cost for rheumatology practices is substantial.
Boost Revenue with Denials Management, Appeals
Denials management and appeals are the two most underestimated processes in rheumatology offices. Most practices lose thousands of dollars every year because they are not following up or writing off denied claims correctly.
SCHIP Legislation a Priority
There are approximately 9 million uninsured children in the United States, and the number is increasing. Of those 9 million, 6 million are eligible for – but not enrolled in – the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) or Medicaid.
Two Years of Helping Patients Obtain Prescriptions
April 5, 2007 marked the second anniversary of the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA). Sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical research companies, the PPA helps lower income, uninsured, and underinsured patients obtain prescription medicines for free or at nominal cost.