Scrutiny Given To Surgeries To Relieve Blockages In Arms, Legs
Some are questioning the necessity of these treatments, which can be done in doctors' offices and are very lucrative. Meanwhile, federal regulators say they will ease up on an electronic health records program in response to complaints from doctors' groups and medical homes show mixed results after one year.
The New York Times:
Medicare Payments Surge For Stents To Unblock Blood Vessels In Limbs
At a time of increasing scrutiny of procedures to open blocked heart arteries, cardiologists are turning to — and reaping huge payments from -- controversial techniques that relieve blockages in the arms and legs. Unlike heart procedures, which must be done in a hospital or outpatient facility, where oversight is typically more intense, the opening of the peripheral arteries and veins of the arms and legs can be done in a doctor’s office. (Creswell and Abelson, 1/29)
The Hill:
Feds To Ease Up On Electronic Health Records Program
Federal regulators announced their intention Thursday to ease up on the meaningful use electronic health records (EHR) program, one week after a coalition of 35 medical societies called for major changes. In a blog post, senior Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) official Patrick Conway said the agency is working on "multiple rulemaking tracks" to adjust the program based on provider feedback. (Viebeck, 1/29)
Kaiser Health News:
Mixed Results For Obamacare Tests In Primary-Care Innovation
Medical homes are a simple, compelling idea: Give primary-care doctors resources to reduce preventable medical crises for diabetics, asthmatics and others with chronic illness — reducing hospital visits, improving lives and saving money. But it’s not so easy in practice. New reports show that two big experiments run by the health law’s innovation lab, known as the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation, delivered mixed early results in enhancing primary care. The programs reduced expensive hospital visits in some cases but struggled to show net savings after accounting for their cost. (Hancock, 1/30)