From Around the Web
> Hartford (Conn.) Hospital failed to fully comply with Medicare billing requirements for 71 inpatient and outpatient claims, leading to $420,000 in overpayments in 2009 and 2010, according a new report from the Office of the Inspector General. Report (.pdf)
> Chicago's mayor said the city can no longer afford to spend $20 million each year to keep free water flowing to hospitals, churches, universities and other nonprofits, reported the Chicago Sun-Times. Article
> The National Committee for Quality Assurance has named Houston's Kelsey-Seybold Clinic as its first accredited accountable care organization, the physician group announced yesterday. Announcement
Health Insurance News
> The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services granted early approval for six states to operate health insurance exchanges. Article
> A fragmented insurance system has driven up healthcare costs by more than 60 percent between 2003 and 2011, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund. Article
Health IT News
> The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority found that electronic health record-related problems stem from human interaction issues rather than software bugs or hardware failures. Article
> Most healthcare organizations have increased their privacy and security budgets during the past year. Article
And Finally… Hospitals have a new weapon against infections: puppies. Article