| Courts |
Sisters Who Operated Fraudulent Medicare & Medicaid Firms Sentenced to Prison
Two sisters convicted of conspiring to defraud Medicare and Medicaid have been sentenced to prison by U.S. District Judge John Rainey. Brenda Davis Miller, also known as Brenda Graham Davis, 37, of Kingwood, TX, and her sister Dorothy Ann Hawkins, 46, of Houston, pleaded guilty in September 2008 to conspiring to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. Login to see complete story
04/08/2009 2:27 PM
|
Three South Florida Men Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar Medicare Fraud Scheme
A federal indictment charges three South Florida men with participating in a scheme to defraud the Medicare program. Charged are defendants Alejandro Gonzalez, of Davie, Robert Rodriguez, and Manuel Camacho, both of Miami, FL. The defendants are charged with multiple counts of mail fraud, money laundering and conspiracy in this multi-million dollar fraud case. Login to see complete story
04/08/2009 2:34 PM
|
| Federal Agencies |
IG Finds $7.4 Million in Overpayments for Hospital Services in IL, IN, KY, and OH
Of the 303 high-dollar payments that the federal government made to hospitals in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio for inpatient services during calendar years 2004-2006, only 39 were appropriate, says the Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Inspector General (OIG). The remaining 264 payments included net overpayments totaling more than $7.4 million. Login to see complete story
04/07/2009 12:02 PM
|
New White House Council Will Guide Funding Decisions
The White House's Office for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships has established the President's Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Login to see complete story
04/10/2009 12:08 PM
|
Obama Makes White House Office of Health Reform Official
President Obama has signed an executive order that officially establishes the White House Office of Health Reform (OHR) to help oversee the administration's efforts to make comprehensive changes in the way American health care is delivered. Login to see complete story
04/10/2009 12:13 PM
|
| Fitness & Health |
Survey: Hands-On Therapies Among Top-Rated Treatments for Back Pain
Hands-on therapies are among the top-rated treatments for people suffering with back pain, finds a new survey by the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center. Fifty-eight percent rated chiropractic/spinal manipulation as helping a lot. And massage (48%) and physical therapy (46%) were close runners up. Login to see complete story
04/07/2009 09:13 AM
|
| Funding Opportunities |
Aetna To Fund Health Walks, Fairs, Outreach
The Aetna Foundation is accepting applications for its Healthy Community Outreach Program. Awards will be granted to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations to support grassroots efforts that increase awareness of critical health initiatives through health walks, health fairs and health education outreach. Grants of up to $25,000 will be considered. Funding decisions and notifications will be made throughout the year, with all notifications issued by Nov. 1. Login to see complete story
04/06/2009 1:01 PM
|
Wal-Mart Increases Corporate Giving by 25 Percent
Despite the weak economy, Wal-Mart has increased its global corporate giving by 25% in its last fiscal year, which ended on Jan. 31. Wal-Mart distributes more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts -- a $85.6 million year-over-year increase in giving. Login to see complete story
04/10/2009 12:33 PM
|
| Housing |
Nursing Homes Seen as 'Dumping Grounds' for Mentally Ill
Growing numbers of elderly nursing home residents are living alongside young and middle-age people with mental illness -- and sometimes with tragic results, finds a 50-state investigation by the Associated Press. Indeed, in many instances this trend appears to violate federal law. Login to see complete story
04/07/2009 12:25 PM
|
| Innovation |
Medicare Makes Changes for Oxygen Equipment Payment and Maintenance
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) has issued a new directive to its Medicare Administrative Contractors for payment for oxygen equipment and services. The directive, effective July 6, furthers implementation of Section 144(b) of the Medicare Improvements for Patients & Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). Login to see complete story
04/09/2009 4:36 PM
|
New Center Helps States Implement, Improve Participant-Directed LTC Programs
The Boston College Graduate School of Social Work has launched a new technical assistance center that offers states the tools they need to implement a wide variety of participant-directed long-term care programs. The National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services is the only national center of its kind and is available to assist states and other entities that want to offer, or already offer, participant-directed services to people with disabilities
Login to see complete story
04/06/2009 11:19 AM
|
| Medicare/Medicaid |
CMS Issues 2010 Payment Information for Part C MA Plans, Part D Rx Drug Plans
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has unveiled calendar year 2010 Medicare Advantage payment rates and Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug benefit payment policies. The announcement provides Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans the information they need to structure their benefits and beneficiary cost sharing and prepare their bids for the 2010 plan year. Login to see complete story
04/07/2009 08:39 AM
|
Medicare Outpatient Rx Drug Spending Sees Huge Increase
Medicare payments for outpatient prescription medications increased by more than $38 billion when comparing 2005 and 2006 data, according to the latest data from the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ). Login to see complete story
04/08/2009 2:54 PM
|
| Research and Reports |
Life Crises Hit Boomers in the Pocketbook
Researchers surveyed 1,200 adults aged 40-79 and found that 57% had already experienced a major life crisis such as job loss, divorce, death of a spouse or serious illness or disability of an immediate family member or themselves. In the vast majority of cases, the event had a significant impact on their finances. Login to see complete story
04/10/2009 12:21 PM
|
Aging News Alert Online is an independent news service. For more information, go to
www.CDPublications.com/ or call 301-588-6380 or email
subscriptions@cdpublications.com. Subscription rates begin at $299/year. Sharp discounts are available for multi-year and multi-user subscriptions. Unauthorized reproduction and/or providing access to unauthorized users are violations of federal copyright law.
Latest Print Compilation (PDF)
ANA Newsfeed
ANA on Twitter