Life is hectic, we know, so here’s a recap of the Healthcare Weekly Hot Topics you can’t afford to miss:
1) Rate falls for often-deadly ailments acquired in U.S. hospitals. The Wall Street Journal, December 2, 2014.
As many as 50,000 fewer people died from accidental ailments, such as infections, falls, and adverse drug reactions, while hospitalized from 2010 to 2013.
2) Employee fired after accessing patient EMR records. Healthcare IT News, December 2, 2014.
A Cleveland hospital had to notify nearly 700 patients after catching an employee snooping on confidential medical and financial records.
3) CMS moves to get rid of providers with unsavory business practices. Modern Healthcare, December 3, 2014.
CMS indicated that it will deny or revoke Medicare billing privileges from providers that routinely bill for services that do not meet requirements.
4) 765,000 have chosen plans on HealthCare.gov. The Washington Times, December 3, 2014.
With the December 15, 2014 deadline to have coverage for the new year rapidly approaching, about 765,000 people have chosen a private health plan on the Obamacare marketplace.
5) US healthcare spending growth hit 53-year low in 2013. Modern Healthcare, December 3, 2014.
Federal officials explained last year’s healthcare spending slump as a result of the recession, changes in health benefits, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
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