Doctor

In big move, DEA allows nurses to relay pain medication prescriptions to pharmacies

October 07, 2010

The Drug Enforcement Agency has eased off of restrictions that have prevented nurses in long-term care from communicating prescription orders for controlled pain medications to pharmacies.

Obama signs doc pay 'fix,' but bigger cuts could face physicians next year

June 28, 2010

President Obama on Friday signed a law canceling a 21.3% pay cut for Medicare physicians and replacing it with a 2.2% pay increase. The Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act is retroactive to June 1.

Senate readies for vote on FMAP amendment

June 14, 2010

Senators this week are expected to vote on an amendment that would extend the increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) until the end of next June.

Physicians reject five-year Medicare pay fix, demand permanent solution

May 21, 2010

A congressional plan to implement a five-year fix for the Medicare physician pay system is being met with strong resistance from some physicians who say they want a permanent solution to the problem.

New guidelines released for hospice patients with defibrillators

May 17, 2010

New guidelines covering implanted defibrillators in terminal patients should help patients, doctors and hospice caregivers decide how to proceed with end-of-life treatments, experts say.

Offering graduate medical education funding to nursing homes could help ready physicians for aging population, policy experts find

May 07, 2010

Medical policy experts are debating ways to help prepare physicians to treat the rapidly growing population of elderly Americans. Extending Medicare graduate education funding to nursing homes could be one way, according to a recent article.

Senate likely to vote today to delay Medicare physician pay cut

April 15, 2010

Senators are expected to vote today to approve a temporary extensions bill that delays a 21.2% reduction in Medicare physician pay until the end of the month. It comes the same day that the hold on the Medicare physician payment cut expires.

Doctors, nurses clash over plan to expand role of nurse practitioners

April 15, 2010

More than half of all U.S. states are mulling the possibility of expanding the professional role of nurse practitioners as a primary care physician shortage looms, according to recent news reports.

New guidelines help identify problem drivers with dementia

April 14, 2010

A group of neurologists has released a set of guidelines to help physicians and family members determine when people with dementia should give up their car keys and stop driving.

Stalled physician pay bill affects Medicare Part B skilled nursing therapy rates

April 08, 2010

A bill that would delay a 21.2% cut in physician pay under Medicare is holding up the calculation of Medicare Part B therapy rates for skilled nursing facilities. The bill is awaiting action from the Senate, which returns from Easter recess on Monday.

DEA loosens grip on nursing home pain medications

March 30, 2010

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency on Thursday issued an interim rule that slightly relaxes its position on pain medications in nursing homes.

As patients age, their choices mean less to their doctors, report finds

March 24, 2010

Doctors of elderly patients who are incapable of making decisions are more likely to choose treatment that they believe is in the best interest of their patients, and not necessarily the treatment their patients would have wanted.

Adequate pain management training sorely lacking, new report says

November 10, 2009

More needs to be done to train doctors and healthcare workers about treating chronic pain, according to a new report.

Senate votes against Medicare physician payment fix

October 23, 2009

Doctors still face a 21% Medicare payment cut next year after the Senate this week voted 53-47 against a permanent fix to the doctor reimbursement formula.