States routinely fail to notify federal authorities when they've kicked healthcare providers out of their Medicaid programs for incompetence, fraud, and other reasons, government investigators have found. The lack of notice is a violation of federal law, and makes it easier for barred providers to set up shop in other states and to continue getting payments from federal health programs. The inspector general for the Health and Human Services Department maintains the list of healthcare providers prohibited from getting any federal health reimbursements. In 2007, the IG's office added 3,308 people and organizations to that database, but probably could have added many more, according to a survey.
During an operation at a Salem, MA, hospital in 2007, an orthopedic surgeon was frustrated by a pair of scissors that wouldn't cut, and threw them. He narrowly missed a nurse. In many hospitals, outbursts from a top surgeon who generates significant revenue or a star researcher who wins huge grants often have been tolerated. But in this instance, North Shore Medical Center disciplined the doctor who threw scissors and required mandatory team training for all operating room staff under a recent policy requiring physicians to treat their colleagues with "civility and respect." The hospital is part of an emerging effort to crack down on what some call healthcare road rage, inspired by a growing body of research suggesting that swearing, yelling, and throwing objects are not just rude and offensive to co-workers, but hurt patients by increasing the likelihood of medical errors.
Maryland-based medical officials are working on two reports on ways to deal with a severe physician shortage in Southern Maryland that is predicted to get worse, with many area doctors expected to retire by 2015. The collaboration stems from a report this year by the Maryland Hospital Association and the Maryland State Medical Society that warned of dire shortages. Physicians, elected leaders and hospital administrators from three regions are serving on two task forces, the Task Force to Review Physician Shortages in Rural Areas and the Task Force on Health Care Access and Reimbursement. The panels are expected to present recommendations to the governor later this year.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has signed into law one of the nation's strictest limits on gifts given to medical professionals by drug salespeople, the most contentious measure contained in a broad package intended to improve healthcare safety and curb skyrocketing costs. The new law also provides $25 million to promote electronic medical record-keeping, requires the state university to graduate more primary care doctors, and gives regulators the power to hold hearings when health insurers want to raise premiums.
Federal regulators are balking at a Massachusetts proposal to increase Medicaid spending by up to $1 billion a year over the next three years, prompting the state to request another two-week extension of its healthcare funding package. The federal payments, which are crucial for keeping the state's landmark health insurance law afloat, were set to expire June 30. But the state has received three extensions, and a fourth would postpone the deadline for reaching an agreement until Aug. 25. At stake in the negotiations between state and federal officials is more than $11 billion in federal funds over three years, money earmarked for dozens of healthcare programs in Massachusetts.
Washington, DC, officials are enforcing new guidelines for prescription drugs for thousands of Medicaid patients, and many doctors are complaining that it is more difficult for sick people to receive some medicines and that some people's health is being endangered. A new pharmacy benefits contractor for the District has began requiring many patients to have prescriptions for some pain medication and gastrointestinal drugs preapproved by District Medicaid officials. The result has been delays of several days for some patients to receive medicine.