BOSTONRemote monitoring with implantable cardioverter-difibrillators (ICDs) was found to be cost-effective for hospitals, according to a session presented by Leonardo Calo, MD, of the cardiology division at Policlinico Casilino in Rome, May 10 at the 33rd annual scientific sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society. Remote monitoring also reduced patients' expenses.  

McKesson has reported double-digit gains in the 2012 fourth quarter, compared with the previous year's fourth quarter, as well as the 2012 fiscal year, compared with the previous year.

Four experts share their opinions in a roundtable discussion on the clinical, legal and economic considerations of remote monitoring of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices with wireless capabilities.

The American Medical Association (AMA), along with state and national medical specialty societies, have sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing serious concern about an onslaught of overlapping regulations that affect physicians. Programs with overlapping timelines include the value-based modifier, penalties under the e-prescribing program, physician quality reporting system and EHR incentive program, along with the transition to ICD-10.

CHICAGOHospitals must implement a contingency plan to deal with ICD-10, said Mary Phelps and Carol Beehler, both of PricewaterhouseCoopers during a presentation March 22 at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiovascular Administrators (ACCA). Hospitals should go forward preparing for ICD-10, despite the fact that the Oct. 1, 2013 deadline has been delayed.

CHICAGOOn the road to value-based care, consumer electronics and technological innovations may be the key, said Eric Louie, MD, chief medical officer at Sg2 in Skokie, Ill., during a morning keynote March 23 at the American College of Cardiology Administrators (ACCA) meeting.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.Theres a bandwidth limitation, said Ray Campbell, Esq, MPA, executive director and CEO of the Massachusetts Health Data Consortium, speaking March 14 at the inaugural eHealth Innovation Conference and referring to the limits facing healthcare technology innovation.

By leaving out ineligible providers in reform efforts, the nation risks building a new digital divide where key providers, who already have low levels of electronic clinical data, may fall further behind, according to an article published in the March edition of Health Affairs.