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Hospitalizations for to pneumococcal disease have been reduced since the introduction of the 7-valent vaccine (PCV7). The PCV7 vaccine has no only helped children, but the elderly as well.

Use of electronic health records (EHRs) saved only an average of 3% in ambulatory health costs 18 months after adoption and did little to reduce overall inpatient costs. Larger savings may be possible if providers are better incentivized to deliver more efficient care.

First year results are in - all 32 participants in the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) initiative showed success in improving quality. However, not as much success was made in cost savings.

States like Texas, Florida, and North Carolina are all seeing a large growth in freestanding emergency room centers. These Standalone ERs target private insurer holders with their convenient locations, but risk affecting insurance premiums.

In a push for value-based care, UnitedHealth is pledging to double its provider payment in relation to quality and cost efficiency by up to $50 billion within the next 5 years.

Many physicians who treat Medicare patients may see an end to unreimbursed evaluation-and-management (E&M)

Patient aligned care team model linked to increased access and continuity, telephone and Internet care, patient use of e-records, and post-hospital follow-up

Pharmaceuticals companies continue to weigh options for their role in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).

Come 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may push bundling of some outpatient procedures.

A new bill, Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2013 (HR 1416), is aiming to restore Medicare reimbursements for anti-cancer drugs and biologicals to pre-sequester levels

While American Urological Association and American College of Physician guidelines suggest shared-decision making in prostate specific antigen (PSA) screen testing, most patients have not had part in discussing those decisions.

In light of the delay on employer penalties for not offering healthcare insurance, some federal officials are demanding the same delay be made for the individual mandate.

Insurer UnitedHealth Group recently noted it will more than double payments made to physicians who participate in accountable care contacts. ACOs have already demonstrated an immense positive growth in quality care, and a reduction in medical costs.

With new models of care delivery, reformation of outdated fee-for-service payment systems, and collaboration of groundbreaking provider-payer partnerships, the changing landscape of the healthcare industry is irrefutable. Yet, the integration of health information technology (HIT) continues to be an area of deliberation for many managed care professionals.

New recommendations suggest reforming the federal 340b drug discount program. Originally designed to help providers serve the poor or underinsured, misuse has raised concerns for greater transparency in prices and how hospitals are using 340b savings.

When health insurers offer financial incentives through value-based insurance design (VBID), patients have greater likelihood of filling prescriptions for their chronic conditions. However, research hasn't shown a drop in overall medical spending when it comes to VBID.

Representatives in the White House continue to reach out to every outlet possible to try and encourage the spread of information surrounding state healthcare exchanges. Worries mount on whether or not Americans will be incentivized to buy in to the program.

The Affordable Care Act's anticipated effect on increasing hospital admissions had rekindled a debate as to how many nurses should be on staff to provide patient care.

Certain barriers may be leading the economically challenged to rely on hospital care. Contributing factors included challenges like access to transportation and hospital location.

Medicare clients who seek outpatient care may see rise in costs come fiscal year 2014.

Healthcare insurance costs in the new state exchanges will be determined by location for the many individuals and small employers who will be participating.

The House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee recently released draft legislation that would replace Medicare's current physician payment system with a quality-based system.

Managed care under Medicaid is being called into question, as quality of monitoring varies from state to state.

In January 2012, 32 healthcare organizations became the first to participate in the Medicare Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model. Now, over a year into the initiative, as many as 9 organizations are in deliberation of leaving the program.

Employers with 51 or more workers will now have until 2015 to face mandates for insurance coverage. The delay comes after federal decision to work out several logistical issues surrounding the mandate.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients who were treated with a more costly treatment, saw no more improvement than those sought conventional treatment in reducing time off work.

A clinical research study at Rosewell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) will be examining a new novel immunotherapy approach to treating advanced melanoma.

Prostate cancer is the most common solid organ tumor in men. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2013: about 238,590 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States; about 29,720 men will die of prostate cancer.