News From Around the Web
> Two House lawmakers have re-introduced legislation to allow physicians to treat patients via telemedicine across state lines. The TELEmedicine for MEDicare (TELE-MED) Act of 2015, proposed by Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), "alleviates the problem of doctor shortages and brings the delivery of health care into the 21st century," Pallone says. Statement
> The Defense Department must delay the awarding of its electronic health record contract until there can be a congressional review of the project, Thomas J. Verbeck, a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general and health IT professional, writes at FayObserver.com. Verbeck says the DoD's "plan will fail" because it has not demanded an interoperable system. Article
> New legislation would streamline the access patients have to medical devices by allowing them to self-pay for the tools rather than through Medicare. The bill, introduced by Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Thune (R-S.D.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) also will allow patients to have more choices when picking the best care for them. Announcement
Health Anti-Fraud News
> Compared to other notable False Claims Act (FCA) settlements that can reach billions of dollars, the recent $2.5 million settlement between the New York State Attorney General and Trinity HomeCare might seem small--but the circumstances surrounding the case highlight trends in FCA enforcement. Article
> In 2014, pregnant women underwent fetal-ultrasound procedures an average of 5.2 times per delivery, a 92 percent increase over the previous decade. Article
Health Insurance News
> The Affordable Care Act mandates that health insurance companies cannot deny coverage to transgender individuals or those who are going through the reassignment process, but recently there's been debate whether insurers actually comply with this provision. While certain transgender advocates believe insurers continue to deny care to this population, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) says insurers are following the rules. Article
And Finally... This music fest will drain the life out of you, literally. Article