Medical Billing & Coding Company

Attendees laud health care reform at Alliance meeting

2011-08-26T00:45:00.000-07:00

A representative of the Obama administration offered vigorous support of the Affordable Care Act, when he spoke at a recent meeting of the Alliance for Retired Americans Florida.

"We're doing a better health care for all Americans," said Anton Gunn, regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Since the adoption of the Affordable Care Act, the state of Florida has received $ 110 million, and 255,000 people have been supported with prescription drugs. Many people do not insurable insurance coverage now."

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a reform of public health insurance coverage increases pre-existing condition and expands access to health insurance to nearly 30 million Americans.

The meeting, held at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road in Delray Beach, attended by about 250 people.

Gunn, whose office represents 59 million people living in eight southeastern states, said it is time for the country to invest in Medicare in order to strengthen the program in the long run.

"How do we do? Stop Medicare fraud and waste," he said. "[Palm Beach County] is ground zero for Medicare fraud. We had staff complete a rental office and 68 new agents of the FBI Academy."

Several forum attendees expressed support for a single-payer health care. Among his priorities was the passage of HB 676, which provide coverage for all U.S. residents.

Dorothy Seigel, a retiree from Boynton Beach, said he wanted to urge politicians to local, state and national levels to address health problems. She said she appreciated the opportunity to hear a discussion of the issues.

"This forum addressed definitely my problems," said Siegel, "especially the single-payer Medicare for all [number]. That's the number one priority for me. I passed HB 676."

Added Fort Lauderdale resident Jim Weldon, "single payer is the only way to control Medicare costs."

Joseph Abruzzo, State Representative District 85, echoed the concerns Siegel. He said he had not given up the fight for a Medicare program that covers all residents.

"I will be submitting a bill for universal health care in the Florida House," he said. "One day [the Democrats] to take over the Florida House and a bill like this will happen. I was a little sad we did not get HB 676 passed."

Top 10 Online Medical Coding & Billing Degree Programs

2011-08-09T23:27:00.000-07:00

Now is a great time to pursue a degree in medical billing and coding. According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the medical coding and billing field is expected to grow at an above average rate over the next several years, with job prospects being extremely good, especially for those with strong computer skills. In 2008 the median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians was $30, 610 (half made less than this, half made more), with the top 10 percent making over $50,000 a year.

There are a number of colleges, universities, and career schools with online medical billing and coding degree and certificate programs available. Because the quality of online degree programs vary widely, we’ve put together this list of what we consider the very best colleges for online medical coding and billing degrees. Our online degree rankings are based on several factors, including school reputation, student satisfaction, peer and instructional quality, and overall affordability. Only fully accredited online colleges and universities were considered.

#1. Drexel University Online

Drexel University’s Medical Billing and Coding Certificate is a six-course, 18 credit online program offered through Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. The program can be completed in one year. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Tuition is $620 per credit hour.

–> Click here for more information on Drexel University Online

#2. Sullivan University Online

Sullivan University’s Medical Coding Certificate Program is a two-year, 48 credit hour program that can be completed entirely online. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Tuition, including all applicable fees, is $333 per credit hour.

–>Click here for more information on Sullivan University Online

#3. Champlain College Online

Champlain College’s Data Coding and Classification Certificate is a one-year, 21 credit hour online certificate program offered through Champlain’s Continuing Professional Education department. Champlain also offers an online associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Health Informatics for students looking to deepen their knowledge and further their career prospects in the health informatics field. Tuition for all programs is $540 per credit hour.

–>Click here for more information on Champlain College Online

#4. Virginia College Online

Virginia College Online’s Healthcare Reimbursement Associate’s Degree program is a 96 quarter credit hour online degree program that includes on-the-job training through an externship. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Tuition is $302 per credit hour and includes textbooks.

–>Click here for more information on Virginia College Online

#5. Antonelli College Online

Antonelli College’s Associate of Science in Medical Billing and Coding is a 21-24 month online degree program. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Tuition at Antonelli College starts at $335 per credit hour and includes textbook and a laptop computer.

–>Click here for more information on Antonelli College Online

#6. LA College Online

LA College Online’s Associate of Arts Degree in Health Care Administration with a concentration in Billing and Coding is a 16 month, 60 unit online degree program. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Students are encourage to contact LA College Online for tuition details.

–>Click here for more information on LA College Online

#7. Herzing University Online

Herzing University Online’s online Diploma in Medical Billing and Insurance Coding is a 12-18 month, 48 credit hour program that covers all of the medical billing and coding courses at the core of Herzing’s online Associate of Science in Medical Billing and Coding and online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. Graduates of any one of the programs will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. The cost for each of the programs is $425 per credit hour.

–>Click here for more information on Herzing University Online

#8. National American University Online

National American University Online offers an online Diploma in Medical Coding and an Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology. Tuition at National American University starts at $250 per credit hour.

–>Click here for more information on National American University Online

#9. Bryant & Stratton College Online

Bryant & Stratton College Online’s Associate of Applied Science in Medical Reimbursement & Coding can be completed in as little as 20 months. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Online tuition at Bryant & Stratton College starts at $504 per credit hour.

–>Click here for more information on Bryant & Stratton College Online

#10. Grantham University Online

Grantham University Online’s online Associate of Applied Science in Medical Coding is a 64 credit hour degree. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Tuition is $265 per credit hour.

–>Click here for more information on Grantham University Online

Source: http://www.thebestcolleges.org/top-online-medical-coding-billing-degrees/

U.S. grants $28.8 million to community health centers

2011-08-09T23:15:00.000-07:00

Obama's government said it will spend $ 28.8 million in grants to create new sites of community health center in 23 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.

The grants, announced Tuesday, are part of $ 11 billion pledged to the centers of new and existing health over the next five years. The money that was promised in the law last year that reviewed the U.S. health system is intended to help pay for new sites where people can receive medical care regardless of ability to pay.

These health centers serve 19.5 million patients, 40 percent of whom are uninsured.

The centers often include clinics in rural and urban areas and treat people who live far from hospitals and the poor, who pay variable rates based on the amount of money they earn. Ethnic and minority groups make up almost two thirds of patients in the centers.

The centers play an important role in public health through the adoption of voltage emergency rooms in major hospitals funded by the state that many people see as a last resort for the uninsured.

"They are paying attention is good or better than the rest of the health system and keep costs down," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

The $ 28.8 million grant will expand the scope of the centers about 286,000 patients.

Community health centers suffered a blow earlier this year when Congress cut funding by 27.5 percent as part of the agreement on the budget.

Accounting for 2011 cuts funding for the fiscal year exceeds that of last year, rising to U.S. $ 2.5 million, said Health and Human Resources Manager Mary Wakefield.

Of that amount, about $ 1 billion comes from the health reform funding and another $ 1.5 billion regular credit, he said.

The HHS received 810 requests for grants announced Tuesday. Of the 67 winners, 10 applicants plan to establish new community centers, while others plan to add new sites of services to existing centers.

In October 2010, the Obama administration allocated the first $ 727 million to help fix the community health centers across the country. The money should go to 143 centers.
Read more at http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/09/us-community-health-centers-idUSTRE77854A20110809

Indian IT sees big business in US healthcare reforms

2011-08-04T02:21:00.000-07:00

The smaller players start receiving orders in the health centers:

U.S. President Barack Obama, $ 37 billion of stimulus funding for undocumented U.S. hospitals has opened up opportunities for Indian IT companies. The electronic health record (EHR) program of incentives and changes in the ninth to the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) has opened a market as large health providers such as Little India in the For large IT beings, if not more.

Many small IT companies have already started bagging projects in hospitals and clinics U.S. physician. While paperless health centers need help in system configuration, installation, conversion of patient data in formats and made available to the public and the integration of various services and databases.

"The change from ICD-9 and ICD-10, which must occur before October 1, 2013, requires that the country has an EHR system in place. Coding of diseases in ICD-10 will result in greater accurate reimbursement and help the country reduce its growing health care costs. Professional accredited to the incentive program to get $ 44,000 in five years and hospitals with a minimum of $ 2 million. However, the end-to end IT infrastructure is not enough we have to look for more cost-efficient vendors, "said Ivan Durbak, chief information officer of Bronx-Lebanon Hospital in New York.

The 800-bed Bronx-Lebanon has signed a U.S. $ 30 million based in Chennai gavs Technologies for EHR project. "We look for small companies that are flexible and have good technology. An offshore project will help save at least half the cost," he said.

According to Sumit Ganguli, president of Technology gavs, the company expects about $ 60 million revenue from these projects in two years.

Similarly, ViCarePlus is the provision of services to 15 clinics and partnership with a local provider of two hospitals in the Bay Area and Florida. "There are more than 5,000 U.S. hospitals and clinics of 225,000. Most hospitals are less than 100 beded about and are unable to seek the support of large IT companies.

The clinics also look forward for profitable services. As the market for small and medium IT vendors is huge, "said Renu B Vivekanand, business development manager, healthcare division, VICARE Plus.
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Medical billing and coding free courses

2011-07-29T00:40:00.000-07:00

There are a duration of medical experts who are in the medical billing and coding, however, is the nature of work that requires a old client to be favorably and the degrees experience processing capacity for analysis. Accuracy in billing and coding is of highest importance. Anyone can include right now industry if he or she has these kinds of clear qualities. To improve ad soar the knowledge of the industry there are a lot of courses and classes available. You can moreover produce one or two free of charge medical billing and coding courses.

For data on the brand of directed is and how is faced in this work, cost free medical billing and coding courses can be helpful. But if you are considerable regarding your strive and run in the current field ought to consider purchasing medical billing schools. There are heaps of medical billing and coding schools that supply desired training for the job. Such schools and colleges to educate a person in all characteristics of the medical billing and coding. You can take a job or if you hold the best economy skills, can moreover become a profitable business.

Bearing in mind the not any individual has the age and power to join these types of scools medical billing schools there are more choices this as online medical billing can be actually the best for professionals. Free medical billing coding courses can come up with you simple information on the subject, but do not guess everything !no! based on what i read in them. Not recommended, as if you do not get the job you are seem to be or not good at his job, you may feel is not fine for you additonally the truth is not enormously projected for it.

Whatever you select to be immensely going for it by how may be their best. So it is even greater to invest a few opportunity and dollars in yourself and get all the education and training properties need. Get enrolled in any class of medical billing, or if you can not go for that, the subsequently better fact will be to go online for medical billing schools.
Read more at http://doctorsmedicalbilling.com/free-medical-billing-and-coding-courses/

Medical Billing and Coding Salary and Wages

2011-07-29T00:23:00.000-07:00

Medical billing and coding salaries have a tendency to be exorbitant contrasted to persons of further quality of life treatment administrators due to the industry-wide requirement for such a skills. The routine salary for a medical coder is between $38,000 and $50,000 per year. Medical billing and coding establishments who get the a good number of on common leg work as permanent inpatient coders ($74,000), additonally teachers can take in an average of $48,000 training new medical coding employees.

There are a good deal of variations depending on experience, education, certification, size of employer, and geographic location. Generally, medical billing and coding specialists who try for perfect hospitals should be forked out more. In towns at which value of residence is higher, normal salaries should furthermore be higher. Medical coders provided other encounters can ask for higher salaries, although entry-level salaries are also relatively high.
Read more at http://www.jobdescriptions.net/health/medical-billing-and-coding/

Medical Billing and Coding Job Description

2011-07-29T00:15:00.000-07:00

Medical Billing and Coding Job Description & Career Opportunities:

Medical billing and coding are similar occupations that fall within the field of medical administration. Although there is a difference between medical billing clerks and medical coders, jobs are often combined because of the similarity of the required experience.

People who are looking for a job in medical administration should be encouraged to seek medical billing and coding as a career because it is one of the fastest growing professions in the healthcare industry. In addition, many medical billing and coding positions remain unfulfilled due to the shortage of qualified candidates. Education in the form of a certificate or degree is required for the work of most medical billing. Start your career by requesting free information from schools today as follows:

As the healthcare industry becomes more and more dependent on information technology to store and retrieve patient information, medical billing and coding professionals will enjoy greater demand for its particular set of skills and ample employment opportunities.

Job Responsibilities:

Medical billing and coding professionals employed by the administrative wing of the industry's health care. Its basic responsibility is to accurately translate patient information and medical alphanumeric code. Information managed by medical coders include patient care, medical history, diagnostic and related information. This information is transferred between care providers and health insurance companies, so the proper amount of payment may be generated and paid.

Medical coding and billing professionals should be aware of various coding systems, based on their workplace. Level 1 HCPCS coding system is used by hospital providers, while Level 2 HCPCS is used for hospitals, physicians and other health professionals. Diagnoses are coded using the DRG coding system. It is important that medical coders so detail-oriented as possible and that the dispersion of fair pay and the creation of accurate, easily processed medical expenses depend on your coding experience.

Training and Education Requirements:

There is no requirement for education or training for a career as a medical billing and coding professional, however, there are specific skills for the field that can only be learned through a qualified program. You can get either a 2-year associate or a bachelor's degree studies in 4 years in the field. While the lack of expert medical billing and coding professionals work makes it more likely that a person with an associate degree can get a well paid job, earning a degree 4 year degree in the field will guarantee a more lucrative employment in general. It is also possible to obtain a diploma in medicine coding, which is a good option for people who have a degree in a related field, as a branch of information technology.

The skills taught in medical billing and coding program covers the basics of medicine, such as anatomy, physiology, diseases and diagnostics. This knowledge is essential for programmers, it will be necessary to accurately translate medical jargon in the code. The coding of medical students will also explore business operations, processes insurance claims, basic office procedures and the use and application of medical billing software. In addition, students must have a complete education in coding schemes and coding terminology. Coding systems cover must include ICD-9-CM, CPT / HCPCS, DSM-IV and the ICPM (International Classification of Procedures in Medicine).
Read more at http://www.jobdescriptions.net/health/medical-billing-and-coding/

Choosing the right type of Medical Billing Services company in USA - VeeBill Medical Billing Company

2011-07-25T05:26:00.000-07:00

To develop efficiency of the billing method overly you have, you have got to decide on a ideally medical billing service. Choosing the proper kind of medical billing utility is able to assist you to manage your denials, to cut lessened the be an expense of of operations and serves to increment the reimbursements. This might in addition assistance you to save tiny bit and money. All various all these types of services are adapted amidst the billing codes such a are affecting continuously. These fluxes are making assembled according to the desire of the industry.

To end up with out proper billing services you wish to do a ideally probing right about the matter. You difficulty to remember few points additonally picking the numerous sorts of billing services. You would like to foresee out a advantages that is particularly popular and is specialized in handling the billing details. You would like to receive out services such a undergo gargantuan large amount of of constituents so this properties can validation a incredible customer base. The workers ought to be felt sufficient so too properties can solve any sort of matter.

The workforces is planning to be actually proficient additonally handling the clients. The members may language among the consumers proper to extend correctly solutions to this queries. You can much outsource the billing portion of your association to a strange assistance provider. Try to recognize throughout the strange program providers in your area. Try to understand roughly the weird sorts of services the present properties send back and how the loss of these types of services is.

Try to get sure feedback them out of such a clients. Try to give out how brand of tool properties use for services linked to medical billing. Find out reputable help providers of the market. Try to get particular sample displays based on them and submit out whether such polls are suitable for your business. Find out how the proper kind of medical billing software in your area. Do a broad article just about them. Search the Internet to get vital hints almost them.

You can receive out on aide providers from what i read in the majority of methods such as the newspapers and magazines, search enzines. You can get testimonials of sharp utility providers out of others. You can slang surrounded by multiple businesses nearly distinct kinds of services such a properties send back to such a customers. Check the price levels associated amid this services. Find out almost the supplies by that properties file states and the technology which properties use for submission of claims. Read just about them and consequently decide on the top sort of treatment based on information from the market.

The VeeBill is best medical billing services company in usa, for a good deal more hints visit website at www.veebill.com

Maximum Reimbursement for Your Claims by VeeBill Medical Billing Services

2011-07-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Medical billing services are specifically oriented towards optimizing the effectiveness and efficiency of your medical facility. Outsourcing companies the current give out these kinds of services hire advanced billing crunches to blessing you get maximum reimbursement for your claims.

Besides ensuring banking stability, these types of services submit you other long period of time for your middle objective of patient treatment. Advantages of Medical Billing Services Medical billing attention organizations suffer a dedicated billing management cluster to situation among every and any step of the billing deals with of medical practices.

They use advanced technology to work out comprehensive full solutions for attaining your argues efficiently processed. To get maximum reimbursement for your claims, properties take attention of your accounts and capture defrayals by submitting and after up the says drew up to protection companies.

The number one benefits of specialized medical billing services include:
• Efficient processing of reports
• Systematic follow-through of tendered suggests
• Adherence to HIPAA regulations
• Meet any turnaround little bit amenities
• Possess Hello How Are you? require trained on privacy, security, and confidentiality
• Work on your medical billing program or such a web rooted practice management service
• Conduct weekly meetings to discuss progress and go more than suggests
• Integration through prominent EMRs (Electronic Medical Records). Considering the needs of hospital-based emergency physicians who bargain surrounded by patients in life-threatening situations, different celebrated outsourcing companies deliver tailored medical billing services to balance this needs.

They find bottom-line solutions to increase in value such a collections, decreases days in A/R and take in visibility and control in such a financing trends. The tiny medical billing and coding authorities in such businesses are well-informed in regards to the newly written medical billing and argue processing norms. Using advanced medical billing program along with Practice Admin, Eclipse, Medic, E-clinical, Lytec and so on, properties accurately course all medical charges and claims. Wide Range of Services Companies if medical billing services can offer quick and accurate results. Their expert services ensure speedy contend reimbursement. Most firms use billing service these as IDX and Practice Admin to swiftness up the billing process.

Their services are around for about all billing needs that include:
• Patient enrollment
• Insurance enrollment
• Scheduling
• Insurance verification
• Insurance authorizations
• Scheduling and rescheduling
• Coding
• Billing and reconciling of accounts
• Collections
• AR collections Medical billing software providers utilize the top medical billing and coding application the can protect a wide variety of tasks.

Besides streamlining the billing process, it facilitates the integration of the whole patient management system. State-of-the-art medical billing program affects it easy to entrance patient data; schedule patient appointments and do more associated tasks. Go for Professional Services As side of the medical billing services, many software providers post coverage verification and authorization services as well.

To get maximum reimbursement for your claims, the perfect selection is able to be to process specialized and reliable aide providers.
For more info visit website at www.veebill.com

Staff shortages looming in wake of healthcare reform

2011-07-21T02:38:00.000-07:00

One of the consequences of expanding access to health care provided by health care reform will be a shortfall in the amount required of doctors and other advanced medical professionals, according to a study.

The United States will face severe shortages in the combined workforce of physicians, advance practice nurses and physician assistants in the next two years, the researchers wrote. The study concluded that without an adequate supply of advanced medical professionals, the U.S. will not meet the objectives of health reform.

Researchers study was based on data from the American Medical Association, American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Association of Physician Assistant Education, among others, to project the future supply of professionals. That contrasts with figures for demand projections separately, based on the expectations of the costs incurred by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, President of the Council of Economic Advisers and the Congressional Budget Office.

"It is important to note that over two thirds of advanced practitioners are doctors and that the U.S. is training fewer doctors per capita each year," senior author Richard Cooper, MD, professor in the School of perlemoen Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, said in a news release.

"Despite the personal participation of more advanced practice nursing and physician assistants in the practices of primary and specialty shortage of doctors has increased by about 1% per year and is now 7% to 8% at nationwide, although its severity varies in different places. "

Although training programs for APN and physician assistants is expected to grow continuously, according to the study, there is little evidence that the same applies to physicians. However, if medical training programs do not expand, the current shortage is expected to grow to 20% in 2025. Given the long time needed to train more doctors, adding up to 500 additional points of entry each year will reduce future shortages in just a few percentage points, even with 1,000 other entry-level positions are added each year The shortage will be 14% to 15% by 2025, double the current rate.

"Long before the health reform bill was written, our nation is heading for serious shortages of doctors," lead author Michael Sargen, a Ph.D. candidate in the Faculty of Medicine perlemoen said in the news press. "As this lack of depth, doctors focus on care areas that demand high levels of training and education of the majority.

"It will not be possible for physician assistants and advance practice nurses to fill the void, even with the increases in supply that we have projected. Therefore, it will be necessary not only to expand the training capacity of all three disciplines, but also to widen the spectrum of healthcare workers and integrate them into the processes of providing of care."

The study appears in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons: http://www.journalacs.org/article/S1072-7515%2811%2900185-2/abstract.

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Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Online

2011-06-29T02:43:00.000-07:00

This fully online, six-course, 18 college credit certificate program offered by Drexel University College of Nursing and Health is designed for those who want to start medical billing coding and training or promotion career in medical billing and coding in the ambulatory and hospital patient, as well as clinics, medical clinics and health insurance organizations. Students will learn the principles of medical billing and coding related to the three main coding manuals: CPT, ICD-9-CM and HCPCS.

Moreover, the completion of the Drexel medical billing coding certificate program qualify individuals to perform the following national certification exams:

* American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) CMR exam and become a Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMR)
* The American Academy of Professional coder (AAPC) Certified Professional Coder (CPC or CPC-H) game review
* American Health Information Management Association (CCS or CCS-P) review of the Council

Furthermore, the end of this line of medical billing and coding program not only earns a certificate from the Drexel University and prepares you for certification exams held national billing and coding, but also allow you to earn 18 college credits quarter (or 12 credits per semester).

For those who currently owns 90 quarter college transferable credits (or 60 transferable semester credits), the 18 quarter credits earned in the certificate program can be applied as electives toward the room of 180 credits (or 120 semester credits) required for the full line of Bachelor Science (BS) degree in Health Services Administration.
Medical billing and coding program length

Depending on the number of online classes for medical billing and medical coding classes you take per quarter, the certificate program can be completed within a year. At the same time, the program can prepare you for certification exams held after the successful completion of Part II of any course of billing and coding. As a result, you can achieve national certification, even before completing the medical billing and coding Drexel Certification Program. Furthermore, since enrollment for the program is based on the number of credits taken and not the whole program, you have no obligation to complete all medical billing and coding class.
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Check Medical Billing and Coding Certification

2011-06-29T02:40:00.000-07:00

Interested in a career in the health profession? The Bureau of Labor Statistics argues that the medical billing and coding is still one of the fastest growing professions. A survey by the American Hospital Association found that 18% of the available positions unfilled due to lack of qualified candidates. Knowing how to become one of the qualified candidates.

What is medical billing and coding?

Medical billing and coding involves using the correct codes when submitting patient claims to insurance companies. Authorized providers of health care in order to submit requests for payment for medical services provided. The codes explain the different types of services for the patient, such as annual checkups, vaccinations and blood tests.

Medical billers and programmers in the practice of medical billing and coding. Professionals to help health care providers to be more efficient billing and collection of medical claims.

The purpose of a medical billing and coding certificate

Currently, no educational level requirements to become a medical biller and coder. However, as the demand for medical billers and coders increase, employers insist that applicants have formal training and accreditation.
Obtain a certificate of

medical billing and coding certificate programs training students for the practice of billing and coding in the healthcare industry. Certification programs offer key lessons for the profession.

Lessons often address issues such as:

* Medical Terminology
* Insurance
* Human Anatomy
* Physiology
* Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health
* Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)
* International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
* Computerized Billing

Duration of medical billing and coding certification programs

The type of program often determines the time needed to obtain a certificate. Online programs and in class, often require 55 to 60 hours of study. Programs in colleges and universities four years can vary from 9 months to 4 years.

The cost of medical billing and coding certification programs

The cost of certficate programs vary by program. Medical billing online and in class and coding certification programs often cost $ 400 to $ 1000. Two years degree programs generally require about 60 hours and cost $ 30 to $ 40 per credit hour. In leading universities, the cost can run as high as $ 500 per credit hour. For the degree programs of four years, the cost can range from $ 4,000 to $ 60,000.

What to consider before choosing the Certification Program

Before enrolling in a program, the student should investigate the reputation of the program and consider the following:

* The type of courses offered;
* Accreditation status, and
* The quality of the program versus the cost of the program.

If you are interested in becoming a medical billing and coding career, explore our website to learn more about medical billing and coding certification programs or send information to one of the respective colleges and universities on our site. Welcome the opportunity to help you find a program that fits your career goals.
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Medical Coding and Billing Salary 2011 – Important Info

2011-06-29T02:35:00.001-07:00

You may want to know what kind of medical coding and billing Pay 2011 you can actually expect to pay if you are seeking employment in the medical administration industry and you have a medical billing and coding degree certificates.

Of course, there are many factors that regulate the precise level of medical coding salary, but this article will give you a good guide to how some of these factors will affect your payment. The statistics are from U.S. data National Salary.

Length of experience:

I need to say that the more experience you can offer an employer, the higher your payout is likely to be. For new graduates and experienced less than a year, half of medical coding and billing Pay 2011 will be around $ 27,000. Five years later, this has increased to about 36. $ 860 and once you have been working in medical billing and coding a decade or more, medical coding and billing salaries are within the whiskers of a cat to reach $ 40,000 per year.

Keep in mind, however, these are average figures, so their wage and salary medical coding medical billing can be significantly higher than that quoted here.

Company size:

A medical coding salary is not only dependent on an arbitrary pay scale or work experience of an employee. The size of the doctor's office or institution is also a factor in determining final payment levels - though perhaps not as significant as you might think.

Statistics show that there are less than $ 1000 difference between working in an office with no more than fifty employees and a health center with 200 employees! Perhaps this is due to a smaller workplace are more personal, where employees are known more as people and not just a name on a piece of wage and therefore more valued as individuals. A large medical institution may not be able to get to know so well and so your efforts and abilities simply tend to blend into the crowd.

Vs male employees. Employees:

Surely in these times of enlightened awareness and equality, gender can not affect the average level of wages or salary medical billing medical coding?

Surprisingly, official figures show that although women have a 85% -90% of medical billing and coding jobs, men are paid between $ 3,000 - $ 3,500 more than they are.

Not much you can do to change their gender, but may be useful to be aware of this fact during wage negotiations.

Type of employer:

Medical coding and billing salaries can vary greatly depending on the company to pay their salaries.

Of the four main types of employers, self employed, corporations, private practice and government / Federal salaries vary little over $ 8,000, but I think we better pay and that the worst?

Would it surprise you to know that the Federal Government and the industry pays the lowest medical coding billing and wages - about $ 30.0500 a half figure - but are working on their own that show a $ 39,200 income in comparison. It is not difficult to see that medical billers on their own and encoders to reach the top as they often have the ability and motivation to control their own income and that does not take a genius to realize that the state pays the lowest.

The pay of an employee who works for a private hospital in about $ 37,000, with large commercial enterprises lag behind in just under $ 32,000.

The pay gap for the State:

Finally, its geographic location affect wages and medical coding and billing you will see a change in state by state.

As a brief guide, Florida and North Carolina have recently reached the top, with average wage levels of $ 38,800 and $ 38,442 respectively.

Follow-up in the middle are from New York ($ 30,334) and California ($ 30,920) with Texas behind with a disappointing 27. 000.

If you are prepared to move to a state where pay is better, you can certainly influence the medical coding and billing in salary in a positive way.

In conclusion, many factors can influence the level of medical coding and billing salaries, some of which you can use to your advantage when you understand how and where these differences come into play. To some extent, the medical coding and billing 2011 Salary shall be subject to its own control.
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Healthcare Consumer Confidence Steadies in May, According to Thomson Reuters Sentiment Index

2011-06-15T02:29:00.000-07:00

American confidence in his ability to access and pay for better health care in May, according to a consumer confidence index produced by Thomson Reuters.

Surveyed for the index reported a better outlook when asked if they had experienced a reduction or loss of insurance coverage in the last three months. In general, the Thomson Reuters Consumer Sentiment Index rose three points of Health from 95 April to 98 May, a statistically significant increase.

"This renewed confidence is encouraging when compared with the numbers last month, but month to month variability in confidence could be an indication of uncertainty based health consumers," said Gary Pickens, head of research at Thomson Reuters Center for Health Google Analytics.

The index, based on the pulse of Thomson Reuters (TM) Health Survey, consists of two parts:

* A retrospective component indicators experiences of respondents in the last three months. Keep track of postponing, delaying or canceling health services and if they have difficulty paying for medical care or health insurance. In May, consumer confidence retrospective showed significant improvement in the level of the index, up five points to 98 from a record low on 93 April.

* A prospective component indicators of respondents' expectations for the next three months. In May, consumer confidence rose slightly to 97 prospective, one point higher than it had been in April.

Thomson Reuters The Healthcare Consumer Sentiment Index is updated monthly. A full report on the results of May is available here: http://healthcare.thomsonreuters. com / indexes / assets / CHSI_Findings_may.pdf

The PULSE Thomson Reuters Health Survey collects information about health behaviors, attitudes and use of more than 100,000 U.S. households per year. It is representative of all U.S. adults and households. The Consumer Sentiment Index of Health is based on survey responses from a subset of 3,000 participants each month. His baseline measurement of 100 was established in December 2009.

Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, health, science and media, driven by the organization's most trusted news world. Headquartered in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 55,000 people and operates in over 100 countries.

For more information, visit www.thomsonreuters.com.

CONTACT
Brian Erni
631.656.9736
brian@jroderick.com

Q+A: How does healthcare overhaul affect Medicare?

2011-06-15T02:27:00.000-07:00

The doctor radical revision of the House of Representatives approved on Sunday includes about 455 billion U.S. dollars in spending cuts to Medicare and other federal health programs over the next 10 years.

Here are some questions and answers about how reforms will affect the Medicare health program for the elderly.

LAW IS CUT Medicare benefits?

No cuts to traditional Medicare benefits. Most of the spending cuts in Medicare Advantage - a program that uses private companies like Humana and UnitedHealth Group to offer Medicare benefits. Many of these providers offer extra coverage and some of the supplements may be left as they are Medicare Advantage subsidies to buy more in line with the cost of traditional Medicare benefits. Payment rates for Medicare Advantage will be frozen in 2011 and then gradually reduce giving companies time to adapt to changes.

Are there any changes in Medicare benefits in the bill?

Yes, Medicare will begin paying welfare visits and annual reimbursement increase for primary care physicians. Currently, Medicare pays only for a general checkup when someone first enters the program and many analysts believe that the health check-ups help improve the overall health of older people and provide better coordination of care.

The bill also provides for an improved Medicare program for prescription drugs. The current program includes a significant gap in coverage that the law was finally closed. Today people fall into this coverage call drops after a total of $ 2,700 spent on drugs. Coverage begins again after $ 6,154 spent.

In 2010, people who fall into the donut hole will receive a refund of $ 250. In 2011, receive a discount of 50 percent on brand name drugs. For 2020, the donut hole closed, and 75 percent of drug costs will be covered.

HOW TO ACHIEVE THE OTHER MEDICARE SAVINGS?

The legislation aims to secure funding in productivity in the Medicare health system to save money.

Studies have shown large variations in costs in different parts of the country, with little difference in health outcomes. The legislation provides for Medicare to test the payment system that is intended to promote better coordination and efficiency of care and maintain or improve the quality of care.

Lawmakers hope the program will save billions of dollars by avoiding duplication of services and providing better coordination of care for people with chronic diseases. The main objective of these reforms of the delivery system is to reward the quality of care rather than a number of services.

The bill also establishes an independent advisory committee that will pay recommendations on how to save money on Medicare and extend the program's financial solvency.

The bill also provides more money to fight Medicare fraud.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE MEDICARE PAYROLL TAX?

Most taxpayers do not pay the Medicare tax over payroll. The bill calls for raising the tax to 2.35 percent from the current 1.45 percent for those earning $ 200,000 or more and for couples earning $ 250,000 or more. The legislation also would apply the tax on investment income for high income groups.

U.S. Condemns Killing of Pakistan Reporter on Army-Militant Ties

2011-06-02T02:04:00.001-07:00

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the killing of a Pakistani journalist who a human rights group said had reported threats from intelligence officers over his coverage of alleged links between the military and Islamic militants.

“The United States strongly condemns the abduction and killing of reporter Syed Saleem Shahzad,” Clinton said in a statement issued by her office. “His work reporting on terrorism and intelligence issues in Pakistan brought to light the troubles extremism poses to Pakistan’s stability.”

Shahzad, a correspondent for the Italian news agency Adnkronos International (AKI) and Hong Kong-based Asia Times Online, disappeared May 29 after reporting that last week’s guerrilla attack on a Pakistani naval base was retaliation for alleged Navy arrests of officers suspected of involvement with al-Qaeda. Three calls to Pakistan’s military spokesman, Major General Athar Abbas, were unanswered yesterday.

“Shahzad received repeated threats from ISI or other Pakistani intelligence agencies” following earlier stories about military links to extremist groups, said Ali Dayan Hasan, a Pakistan-based researcher for Human Rights Watch, which is based in New York. ISI is the abbreviation for the military’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate.

Disappeared in Islamabad

Shahzad disappeared in the capital, Islamabad, while driving a few kilometers from his home to the studios of Dunya Television for a program on which he was to discuss alleged links between Pakistan’s armed forces and extremist groups, said Nasim Zehra, the current-affairs director at the channel.

His body was found outside Jhelum, a city 120 kilometers (75 miles) southeast of Islamabad, Dunya and other Pakistani news channels reported. The body was retrieved from a canal about 10 kilometers from where his car was found, Asia Times reported.

An initial examination of the body showed possible signs of torture, the Associated Press reported, citing a police official. AKI cited an unnamed doctor who conducted an autopsy as saying that Shahzad appeared to have been beaten to death. He was 40 years old, and is survived by his wife, two sons aged 14 and seven, and a daughter aged 12, according to the websites of AKI and Asia Times.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has ordered a probe into the killing, GEO channel reported. Clinton said the U.S. supports the investigation.

‘Most Dangerous Country’

Pakistan is “the world’s most dangerous country for journalists” the Paris-based press-monitoring group Reporters Without Borders said last month, citing 14 killings of journalists within 13 months. The group ranked Pakistan 151st out of 178 countries it rated for the overall degree of press freedoms.

The Pakistani military’s three decades of covert aid to Islamic militant groups has raised tensions this year with the U.S., notably since the American commando raid that killed al- Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in an army-dominated town 50 kilometers from the capital. The White House withheld all information from Pakistan on the raid because it feared that some Pakistani officials would tip him off.

Shahzad specialized in reporting on intelligence and security issues, and this month published a book on the recent evolution of al-Qaeda and the Taliban. He reported to Human Rights Watch that ISI summoned him to a meeting in October after he published a story saying the agency had released the number- two Taliban leader, Abdul Ghani Baradar, after arresting him last year, Hasan said in a phone interview.

Shahzad “told me the ISI officers demanded to know the source of his story and when he refused, the meeting ended with what constituted a threat,” Hasan said.

“In the months since then, he told me that he still was receiving threatening phone calls and was being followed,” Hasan said. “He felt he was in danger.”

--Editors: Terry Atlas, Mark Williams

To contact the reporter on this story: James Rupert in New Delhi at jrupert3@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Peter Hirschberg in Hong Kong at phirschberg@bloomberg.net.

The Benefits of Using Social Networking Domains for Global Marketing furthermore pr

2011-06-02T02:02:00.000-07:00

As soon as more families are moving away from the TV with technological innovations are making it sooner than in the lane of have On the computer door anywhere, families are looking near gathering networks for directives, merriment, and business endeavors. Group networking is thus the perfect route completed which businesses can goal added domestic in addition to international clients in addition to produce-up a reputable company photo.

Facebook

Fb is the as a rule all the rage gathering association, and 500 million users worldwide. About 70% of Facebook users are outside the United States along with Fb users use up over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook (Facebook Statistics, 2011). The amount of Facebook users worldwide has grown 56.7% over the past year. The first five countries with the highest increase percentage, in decreasing bid, are Russia and 377.2% strengthening, Brazil and 286.3% spiraling, Thailand plus 206.7% growth, India with 196.2% amplification, in addition to Poland in addition to 166.2% escalation (Inside Facebook Gold, 2011). Three of those countries are BRIC countries. This signifies that party networking is growing the fastest in the fastest economically developing countries. This correlation is promising toward companies wishing headed for expand internationally. Having a Facebook profile can expose your company prior to brand on the manner to potential clients in the next state over prior to emerging markets scattered around the world.

Twitter

Twitter is a tool for posting extraordinarily short comments that people whom you are connected en path for can approach. Twitter was designed on the aspect to be exceedingly compatible as well as mobile phones done text messages, hence that users can update in addition to be updated anywhere, anytime. Twitter is impressive for promotion because it allows trivial business owners near update their marketplace on the latest happenings of the company, such what time upcoming PR dealings, seminars, conferences, earlier further blog articles.

Twitter in fact has a 140 task per update limit, accordingly messages are always short with sweet near engage your clients. Sysomos, a collective media monitoring company, launched a 2010 report about global usage of Twitter, stating, "the number of U.S. unique users was 50.8%, a sharp drop from 62.1% in June. This suggests the utilize of Twitter outside the U.S. has experienced evocative intensification over the past six months (Sysomos, January, 2010)." So, from the back of a taxi in Other York on your Blackberry, you can send out an update that will reach thousands of followers around the world.

LinkedIn

Headed for agree to grave selling promotional venture, look towards the more business-oriented public of LinkedIn for business success. LinkedIn is an ideal platform for developing along with maintaining business relationships, in addition to this is a rather direction toward improve your B2B as well as B2C marketing too pr strategy. LinkedIn makes it undemanding for entrepreneurs as well as recoil-up founders on the road to mingle and extra akin to-minded individuals because it allows users en avenue for produce groups where they can communicate along with share instructions/experiences on common business interests. In this network you can expose your business as well as agreeable followers, potential clients as well as even potential employees.

In October 2009, LinkedIn's exchange ideas's CEO, Jeff Weiner, said, "half of LinkedIn's membership is international (TechCrunch, February, 2011)." If you lack near expand your business into Egypt, you can catch an ad campaign that on the whole targets new LinkedIn users in Egypt who are interested in your particular product earlier than service. You can too undertake instructions from a businessman in Egypt on how in the line of attack of successfully expand your business in the country. The opportunities are endless and inspiring.

Take gain of the innovative marketing in addition advertising techniques that these get-together networks have in the road of tender headed for lesser business owners. Leverage the notion of on the site relationships with credibility and boost your international selling efforts in ways that will craft noticeable results.

Author Resource:- Authors Website is related to Result Gondi Lovers Through Collective Networking Blogs Faltugiri.com Mundari Women on Nuptials Web sites also it will guide en line of attack for Malayalam Women Seeking Men Visit u . s citizens on Faltugiri Website
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Metro Monitor Acquires San Francisco Based News Direct Services

2011-06-02T02:01:00.000-07:00

Metro Monitor http://www.metromonitor.com has acquired San Francisco based News Direct Services. The Birmingham based provider of media monitoring and TV news clip services purchased the business operations of News Direct Services, a San Francisco based media monitoring and news clipping business.

“The acquisition will expand Metro Monitor’s presence in the California market. The News Direct team has been in businesss for 23 years and has established strong relationships with the public relations community in San Francisco. We look forward to building on those relationships with the expanded media monitoring services Metro Monitor provides.” said Bryan Council, President of Metro Monitor.

Metro Monitor was founded in 1993 and provides news monitoring and media intelligence services to public relations and corporate communications professionals throughout the United States. The company provides subscription based news monitoring and news clipping services via its proprietary databases and software as a service media monitoring platform.

###

Bryan Council
bryancouncil@metromonitor.com
205-250-9900
####

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Marketwire and HubSpot Present Free Webinar to Help Public Relations Professionals Design a Social Media-Optimized PR Program

2011-06-02T01:59:00.000-07:00

Marketwire and HubSpot present the second webinar in a complimentary six-part series to help PR professionals ramp up their success in today's social media-dominated, ROI-focused world. The session on June 2, "Designing a Social Media-optimized PR Program," focuses on creating a PR program that incorporates social media elements and tracking mechanisms to demonstrate ROI; it is part of the series "How to Supercharge Your PR Program with Social Media." -- What: Free webinar: Designing a Social Media-optimized PR Program -- When: Thursday, June 2, 2011, 10 a.m. PDT / 1 p.m. EDT Each session is 30 minutes in length and is archived for later viewing. All registrants receive access to the archived webinars.

Who: Shonali Burke, ABC, principal, Shonali Burke Consulting -- To Register: Click here to register for "How to Supercharge Your PR Program with Social Media" Six-part Webinar Series: "How to Supercharge Your PR Program with Social Media" Designed for PR practitioners across all industries, participants learn how to use social media intelligence to build stronger PR plans, create content and conversations that engage audiences, and tie their PR efforts directly to increased revenue.

-- Thursday, May 5: PR: That was then, this is now.

Presenter: Todd Defren, principal, SHIFT Communications Available on demand -- Thursday, June 2: Designing a Social Media-optimized PR Program Presenter: Shonali Burke, ABC, principal, Shonali Burke Consulting -- Thursday, July 28: Creating Content and Conversations Presenter: Rebecca Lieb, consultant, author and speaker -- Friday, September 30: Working Your Plan: Going Beyond the Masses Presenter: David Bradfield, director of marketing, strategy and analysis, SapientNitro -- Thursday, October 27: Assigning Value to Your PR Program Presenter: Angela Sinickas, president, Sinickas Communications, Inc.

-- Thursday, December 1: Building a Business Case for PR to Take Back Social Media Presenter: Paolina Milana & guest presenters About Marketwire Marketwire advances the way the world communicates by electronically delivering news and information to traditional, new and social media audiences, including newspapers, magazines, databases, analyst terminals, online portals, blogs, and more.

Marketwire maximizes the power of its clients' communications by leveraging the latest in search engine optimization, multimedia, social media, monitoring and new technologies. Sysomos, a Marketwire company, provides unparalleled business intelligence for social media through advanced monitoring and analytics. Serving more than 12,000 clients worldwide through 20 offices on four continents, Marketwire is a dominant distributor of company news releases and other communications. Marketwire is majority-owned by OMERS Private Equity, which manages the private equity activities of OMERS Administration Corporation and today has $5.5 billion of investments under management. The group's investment strategy includes the active ownership of businesses in North America and Europe. OMERS Private Equity is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with offices in New York and London. For further information visit: www.omerspe.com.

For more information, visit us online at www.marketwire.com and www.marketwireblog.com, or on Twitter @marketwire.
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BuzzLogic Announces Appointment of Peter C. Horan to Its Board of Directors

2011-06-02T01:58:00.000-07:00

an online media company that improves brand metrics and ROI through its
scalable media index and analytics platform, has appointed media and
online advertising veteran Peter C. Horan to its board of directors.

Horan has more than 30 years of media experience, and is currently the
Executive Chairman of Halogen Media Group. He has formerly served CEO of
several online media companies, including About.com, AllBusiness.com,
and IAC Search and Media. At IAC, he led businesses that included
Ask.com, CitySearch, eVite, Consumer Applications, and the Advertising
Solutions group at IAC’s Media and Advertising group.

“Peter is extremely knowledgeable and highly regarded in our industry
and I’m thrilled to work with him again,” said Dave Hills, BuzzLogic’s
CEO. “As BuzzLogic moves to grow and dominate improving brand metrics
and ROI at huge scale using our index and analytics, it’s critical to
build the right team at all levels. Having Peter on our Board gives us a
great team to guide the company today and in the future.”

“I’m looking forward to working with Dave and the entire team at
BuzzLogic,” said Peter Horan. “I’ve been totally blown away by their
technology, growth rate, and skill set. Their business approach is
highly relevant to today’s online advertising environment where engaging
is key. They’re a company to watch.”

Horan has a proven track record of building successful media and
Internet businesses, being part of four profitable company exits in the
last seven years totaling nearly $700 million.

Peter is also an active angel investor and board member, working with
Lending Tree, Function (x), Merchant Circle, Nile Guide, Apture, Avid
Trips, AdZerk, Mahalo, PublishThis, and Bright Hub.

BuzzLogic recently closed $7.8 million Series C funding. Formerly known
as an online monitoring company, BuzzLogic has undergone a complete
transformation to now provide advertisers and agencies an all-in-one,
social and conversational media solution with targeting, optimizing and
reporting at huge scale. Its technology has indexed and ranked more than
1.5 billion pieces of distinct content and utilizes analytics to not
only recognize topic, but also the conversational media around it, hence
identifying the most persuasive opportunities for advertisers. Utilizing
this data, BuzzLogic creates customized digital media packages, and
generates robust reporting to measure ROI.

By placing relevant ads designed to motivate engagement with consumers
on sites targeted by BuzzLogic, national brands are developing
relationships with consumers and achieving impressive engagement
metrics, an ability that social media monitoring companies lack because
they don’t have the combination of understanding, media activation and
scale. Advertisers can even syndicate their Twitter or Facebook content
within the ad itself through the BuzzRoll ad unit the company creates,
ensuring there’s extensive engagement with the brand’s social content.
These unique features, highly appealing to brands, help account for
BuzzLogic’s fast growth.

About BuzzLogic

Formerly known as an online monitoring company, BuzzLogic has undergone
a complete transformation to now provide advertisers and agencies an
all-in-one, social and conversational media solution with targeting,
optimizing and reporting at huge scale. Its technology has indexed and
ranked more than 1.5 billion pieces of distinct content and utilizes
analytics to not only recognize topic, but also the conversational media
around it, hence identifying the most persuasive opportunities for
advertisers. Utilizing this data, BuzzLogic creates customized digital
media packages, and generates robust reporting to measure ROI.
BuzzLogic’s clientele includes Proctor Gamble, Toyota, Best Buy,
PlayStation, Microsoft, and Starbucks.

BuzzLogic is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York,
Chicago and Los Angeles. For more information, visit: http://www.buzzlogic.com,
Facebook.com/BuzzLogic or follow at Twitter.com/BuzzLogic.

Business News Service Expands Coverage

2011-06-02T01:54:00.000-07:00

EIN News has been a world leader in business industry news for the last 15 years. Now its news monitoring network has expanded to 13 specialized news portals covering business.

David Rothstein, CEO of EIN News, says that his company is continuing a 15-year expansion of its services to address the needs of news researchers, analysts, policy and other decision makers who need quick and comprehensive access to information. "We continue to adapt to an ever changing information market place with new technical advancements that keep us out in front of our competition," states Mr. Rothstein.

EIN News, one of the Internet's oldest and most popular online news-monitoring services, has expanded its coverage so that business professionals can get the latest news they need when they need it with the following publications:

American Airlines a New Target for Leading News Service

2011-06-02T01:49:00.000-07:00

Researchers monitoring American Airlines get powerful tools for monitoring news in real time

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- EIN News has been a world leader in industry news for the last 15 years. Now its news monitoring network includes a specialized area covering American Airlines. (http://airlines.einnews.com/news/american-airlines)

EIN News, one of the Internet's oldest and most popular online news-monitoring services, has expanded its coverage so that researchers and analysts covering American Airlines can get the latest news they need when they need it with the following publications:

Airline Industry Today (http://airlines.einnews.com/)

EIN News maintains one of the world's leading news indexes. Since 1995, the company has built a network of more than 100 industry-focused news portals, and its services are used by millions of online researchers, corporations, institutions and governments. With an annual readership exceeding 10 million users, the company is a worldwide leader in online news monitoring.

The entire portfolio of EIN News publications can be found at: http://www.einnews.com/media-monitoring.

About EIN News

EIN News is a pioneering innovator of proprietary news technology. Combining both intelligent search technologies and the human element, EIN News stands above the rest as the most efficient, yet personalized, news service available anywhere. Established in 1995, EIN News began by supplying business professionals and individuals with relevant and interesting news products. It has grown to become the largest digital news provider in Europe.

SOURCE EIN News

(Source: PR Newswire )
(Source: Quotemedia)

Medicare payments to hospitals not correct: study

2011-06-02T00:26:00.000-07:00

Some hospitals could get less reimbursement money from the Medicare healthcare program based on geographic location, according to a report commissioned by the government.

Currently, Medicare reimbursements for hospitals and other health care providers depend on the rent or wages in the location where they operate.

But almost 40 percent of hospitals get exceptions to how their adjustments are calculated, said a report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) on Wednesday.

"The fact that there are so many exceptions undermines confidence that the system is doing what it intends to do," said Bruce Steinwald, an independent consultant and member of the committee that wrote the report.

The report was commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services and Congress after complaints that the current system of geographic adjustments was not transparent or accurate.

The Medicare program provides health insurance to 47 million elderly and disabled Americans and is the largest single payer of health care services in the United States. The Congressional Budget Office estimates Medicare payments in 2010 were some $500 billion.

The program has come under fire recently as the government struggles with a ballooning budget deficit. Medicare, along with Medicaid, the federal health program for the poor, eat up about a quarter of all government spending.

The report's findings will not affect the total amount spent on Medicare, as federal law requires geographic adjustments to be budget neutral, which means any increase in the amount paid to one hospital must be offset by a decrease to others.

However, any payment adjustment could impact the Medicare reimbursements paid to large hospital operators such as HCA Holdings, Community Health Systems, and Lifepoint Hospitals.

To take effect, the report's findings must be passed into law by Congress.

CALCULATING WAGES

Salaries and benefits make up one of the largest costs of providing care, and the IOM report suggests the government should use data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to calculate how much to pay each hospital or doctor, rather than relying on hospitals' own calculations or other surveys.

It also aims to get rid of the exceptions for certain hospitals, instead calculating a formula that could apply to all situations.

"As the criticism we heard from a range of health care providers indicates, there is significant skepticism about the fairness and accuracy of how adjustments are currently being determined," said committee chairman Frank Sloan, a professor of health policy and economics at Duke University.

"This report's recommendations will increase the likelihood that the geographic adjustments reflect reasonably accurate measures of regional differences in expenses."

However, a hospital industry group expressed concern about using BLS data to adjust hospitals' Medicare payments for each location, as the data does not reflect the amount hospitals pay in pension or benefit costs.

"Things like pension, benefit and overtime costs are not included in BLS data, but can make a huge difference in hospitals' wage costs," said Don May, vice-president for policy at the American Hospital Association.

The IOM report is the first in a series of three that will look at geographic adjustments in Medicare and their potential impact on health care quality, population health, and the distribution of the health care work force.
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U.S. Makes It Easier to Get Insurance With Pre-Existing Conditions

2011-06-02T00:24:00.000-07:00

U.S. health officials announced Tuesday that a reduction in premiums and an easing of standards for the federally administered Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan will allow more Americans to get health insurance.

Premiums under the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, which is part of the Affordable Care Act, will drop as much as 40 percent in 18 states. And standards for eligibility will be eased in 23 states and Washington, D.C., said officials from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

"Before the law, too many people were turned away or shut out of the insurance market," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said during a morning press conference.

"You could be denied coverage if you were a breast cancer survivor or if you had a pre-existing health condition like diabetes or asthma. This forced people to skip care or medication and it has bankrupted way too many families and left people's health at risk," she added.

The reduction in premiums will offer real savings for people, Sebelius explained. "For example, consumers in Virginia will save almost $1,200 a year thanks to the premium reduction," she said.

The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan was designed to help people with pre-existing health conditions get health insurance until 2014 when insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.

In 23 states the federal government administers the program, while the other states use federal funds to operate their own program.

It's in 18 states where the federal government operates the program that premiums will drop. Decreasing premiums in these states will bring the premiums in line with rates already established in these states, which is mandated by the Affordable Care Act, HHS officials said.

In the remaining states, premiums were already at state levels and will not change.

"We are not just lowering premiums, we are making it easier for people to become eligible for the program," Sebelius said.

Beginning in July, anyone applying for health insurance coverage only needs to show a letter dated in the last year from a doctor, a physician's assistant or nurse practitioner stating that he or she has a pre-existing condition.

Applicants will no longer need to have a letter from an insurance company denying coverage, Sebelius said.

In February, children under 19 were given this option, which is now being extended to all ages. To take advantage of this program you must be a U.S. citizen and have had no insurance coverage for six months.

Starting this fall, the federal government will begin paying insurance agents and brokers to help enroll people in the program. The goal is to get more eligible people to take advantage of the program.

From November 2010 through March 2011, enrollment in all Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan programs increased 129 percent, with more than 18,000 people now enrolled, officials said.

The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan is a comprehensive health plan that includes primary and specialty care, hospital care, prescription drugs, home health and hospice care, skilled nursing care and preventive health and maternity care.

According to HHS officials, the program limits out-of-pocket costs. Eligibility is not based on income and those who enroll do not pay a higher premium because of a pre-existing medical condition.

More information

For more on the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, visit the HealthCare.gov.

HHS proposes privacy rule on medical records

2011-06-02T00:22:00.000-07:00

Patients could obtain a list of everyone who has accessed their electronic medical record under a rule proposed on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Healthcare providers must currently keep track of everyone who accesses private medical records, but they do not have to provide that information to patients.

"We need to protect people's rights so that they know how their health information has been used or disclosed," said Georgina Verdugo, director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights, which is proposing the changes, in a statement.

Under the rule, patients would be able to request an access report, which would document the identities of those who electronically viewed their protected health information.

The new rule would add to regulations already in place under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects patient privacy and sets security standards for electronic health records.

"This proposed rule represents an important step in our continued efforts to promote accountability across the health care system, ensuring that providers properly safeguard private health information," Verdugo said.

The move is the latest in a broader effort by the Obama administration to update and streamline the medical records system in the United States.

The changes are authorized under the HITECT act, a measure that was part of the 2009 stimulus package to encourage doctors and hospitals to adopt electronic health records.

Last year, the HHS said any companies, doctors or hospitals that disclose private health information could face fines of up to $50,000 per violation.

The health agency will take comments on the proposed rule until August 1.
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