Headlines – Page 366 – Healthy Skeptic

Jan 28 2013

humed

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

Apparently UnitedHealth Group has acquired data and analytics company Humedica for a price over a hundred million dollars.

Jan 28 2013

tests

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

In research at Johns Hopkins, no difference in diagnostic test ordering was found when physicians were and weren’t aware of the costs of the tests. So much for the value of price transparency in reducing costs.

Jan 28 2013

smok

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

Two studies in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrate the significant lowering of life expectancy due to smoking and that women are as at risk as men now in regard to smoking-related mortality.

Jan 28 2013

oig

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

The Office of Inspector General at HHS has determined that Medicare paid over $120 million in 2011 on prisoners and illegal aliens who are ineligible for coverage.

Jan 24 2013

quest

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

Laboratory company Quest reported disappointed earnings in its most recent quarter and projected a tough 2013, largely due to reimbursement pressures.

Jan 24 2013

mhealth

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

Over $900 million was invested in firms categorized as being in “mobile” health in 2012, although the rate of investment slowed significantly in the second half of the year. Unclear why this level of investment is occurring in a field which has demonstrated no value in either lowering cost or improving quality.

Jan 24 2013

mptc

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

An article in a specialty journal argues that physicians and others have exaggerated the malpractice problem and threat, which would be news to most doctors and researchers.

Jan 23 2013

adhd

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

A study by Kaiser shows a dramatic rise in diagnosis for ADHD in California over the last 9 years, which likely reflects overdiagnosis and subsequent overtreatment.

Jan 23 2013

drx

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

Connecture, a health care IT firm, has acquired DRx, the old Destination Rx, which provides the engine to help Medicare beneficiaries select a Part D plan and other services. Terms were not announced.

Jan 23 2013

wllpt

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

Wellpoint reported earnings that were up significantly from last year, when it incurred a Medicare-related hit, with modest member growth before acquisitions and a projection of flat earnings for 2013.