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Dec. 23/30, 2002: Table of Contents

American Medical News   vol. 45 no. 48
Government - Professional Issues - Business - Opinion - Health - 2002 index

Liability crisis reaction: Doctor-owned insurance fills gap
Physician-owned insurers are faring better through the latest availability and affordability crisis than are commercial carriers. More groups are considering joining in.

States scrutinize big-ticket purchases by group practices
States are using certificate-of-need laws and other methods to keep a closer watch on health care spending, saying it's for quality and cost control.

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Doctors shy away from Medicaid, uninsured
The increasing financial squeeze on physicians is just beginning to be felt by the most susceptible patients.

CMS reconsidering one-hour rule for restraint use
Doctors, hospitals seek to overturn the requirement of a face-to-face physician evaluation of a patient within this restrictive time frame.

Coverage for alcohol dependence falls short
Many health plans don't heed state laws mandating some level of benefits for treatment.

Government news briefs:

• Pa. governor acts to ease liability insurance crisis
• N.M. hospital settles Medicare fraud charges

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Quality controlled: Putting practice guidelines to work
Evidence-based practice guidelines are increasingly touted as the key to quality care. Now the push is on for physicians to prove they're following along.

Unclear wording adds to patient confusion over living wills
Most patients don't realize that directives take effect only after a diagnosis of terminal illness.

Move to collect medical data pits privacy against safety
Proponents say Minnesota's medical database "can't be hacked" and will allow better tracking of health trends.

Renegotiating Health Care: Thinking beyond the silo is a WINning proposition

Professional Issues news briefs:

• Physicians active in both sides of assisted-suicide fight
• Pa. surgeon fined for lack of tail coverage
• Boston wins online CME award
• Massachusetts Medical Society honors three physicians
• ACGME names outstanding residency directors

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Clash of the titans: Hospitals vs. health plans
Big hospital systems are battling insurers harder than ever to get the reimbursement they want. And plans are battling back by blaming hospitals for rising premium costs.

More big firms want Web-based health plans
A survey predicts that during the next two years, 40% of large employers will offer such coverage.

Group rules against online treating of unknown patients
With input from the Federation of State Medical Boards, the eRisk Working Group for Healthcare issues stronger guidelines for Internet consultations.

Web site lists HIPAA-compliant software
While a vendor's absence from the directory doesn't mean it's not compliant, organizers say it should motivate you to check out your computer company.

Insurance exec offers plan for uninsured
A proposal by Blue Shield of California's CEO would require mandatory purchase of insurance, with state help for those who can't afford it.

Practice Management: Plans will pay for quality, but don't always know how

Business news briefs:

• TennCare looks for cuts
• Magellan names new CEO
• Md. denies CareFirst request
• SureScript expands network

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Opinion

Combating antibiotic resistance: Medicine enlists community awareness
Physicians are central to efforts that mobilize communities against the misuse of these valued infection fighters.

Letters:

• Liability insurer: The facts support movement for tort reform
• Medicare's underpayment policies leading to a care-rationing crisis

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Coordinated care improves outcomes for MI patients
A large study of elderly heart attack patients finds those treated by both specialists and generalists live longer.

Value of routine prostate cancer testing uncertain
Experts find that screening is effective in detecting the disease but cast doubt on whether it improves long-term outcomes.

New ADHD medication a promising option
When atomoxetine reaches pharmacies next month, it will be the first noncontrolled drug in 30 years approved by the FDA for treating the disorder.

Atkins results leave dieters and researchers at a loss
People on the low-carbohydrate regimen dropped pounds and improved cholesterol levels, fueling the debate over the long-term safety of this weight-loss approach.

Report offers insight into cancer prevalence
Details of cancer burden statistics will prove invaluable in public health efforts toward prevention and early detection.

Health news briefs:

• FDA approves osteoporosis drug
• Asthma guidelines released
• Music spurs COPD patients to exercise
• Nearly a quarter of hospitals reuse single-use devices
• Water-related disease outbreaks rise
• AMA official addresses teen drinking
• Second HIV infections possible

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