CMS Proposes Expanding Prior-Authorization Requirements

CMS Proposes Expanding Prior-Authorization Requirements-thegraysheet: CMS wants to require prior authorization for Medicare coverage of certain durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies items that are frequently subject to unnecessary use, the agency explains in a May 28 proposed rule (PDF). CMS is also proposing to expand its existing prior-authorization demonstration program for power mobility devices to 12 additional states, and two launch two addition prior-authorization demonstration programs.

How Republicans lose by winning

How Republicans lose by winning-politico: Establishment Republicans had a good night in Tuesday’s round of primaries, but they did so in part by adopting positions at odds with the long-term need to broaden the party’s support and move away from litmus-test issues. A wide range of Republicans see the party courting the same disaster it did in 2012, playing a base game that will keep it shut out of the White House.

White House Health Care Aide Named Deputy Chief Of Staff For Policy

White House Health Care Aide Named Deputy Chief Of Staff For Policy-insidehealthpolicy: Kristie Canegallo has been named the new White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Implementation -- a position created in light of the problematic healthcare.gov rollout -- and will focus on ACA implementation, IT reform and a number of other domestic and national security priorities, the White House said Friday (May 16). Canegallo since February 2013 has been special assistant to the president and advisory to the chief of staff, and in that capacity spearheaded White House efforts on ACA implementation after the start of the first open enrollment period, the White House said.

Senate Republicans block tax bill over medical device tax

Senate Republicans block tax bill over medical device tax-massdevice: Senate Republicans, infuriated over Democrats' refusal to allow amendments to a bill that would extend some tax cuts, voted to block the tax extenders bill yesterday. The GOP bloc wanted to introduce an amendment that would repeal the 2.3% medical device tax enacted as part of Obamacare and another to strike a wind production tax credit. But majority leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) closed off the minority's ability to introduce amendments and sent the tax bill to a cloture vote that need 60 "ayes" to pass.

POLITICO poll shows mounting danger for Dems

POLITICO poll shows mounting danger for Dems-politico: President Barack Obama’s job approval slump and voters’ entrenched wariness of his health care law are dogging Democrats ahead of the 2014 midterm elections, and Republicans have captured a lead in the areas home to the year’s most competitive races, according to a new POLITICO poll. In the congressional districts and states where the 2014 elections will actually be decided, likely voters said they would prefer to vote for a Republican over a Democrat by 7 points, 41 percent to 34 percent. A quarter of voters said they were unsure of their preference.

HRS2014: Social media lessons from some of cardiology's most-followed

HRS2014: Social media lessons from some of cardiology's most-followed-massdevice: Social media and healthcare are permanently intertwined, according to 3 of cardiology's most prominent online voices.  Drs. Kevin Campbell, Westby Fisher and Dave Albert spoke today about the benefits of having an active online presence to complement interaction in the field.

HRS2014: Smartphones as medical devices and the age of the self-quantified patient

HRS2014: Smartphones as medical devices and the age of the self-quantified patient-massdevice: There's a tsunami of consumer-generated health data on the horizon and care providers would do well to get on board, AliveCor founder and chief medical officer Dr. Dave Albert told an audience today at Heart Rhythm 2014, the Heart Rhythm Society's 35th Annual Scientific Sessions. Smartphones are everywhere and patients are increasingly interested in staying out of the clinic, using consumer-based monitors that can provide a rich picture of health and lifestyle.