Specialty Focus 12/5/23: Feds warn of remote patient monitoring fraud + New research on a drug to fight against Alzheimer’s

December 5, 2023 | Volume XII | Issue 49

Many employed docs say non-physician practice ownership cuts quality, survey finds

Anastassia Gliadkovskaya reports for Fierce Healthcare:

Nearly 60% of doctors who practice as employees of hospitals and other corporate entities say that non-physician practice ownership results in lower quality patient care, per a new survey.

The 1,000-physician poll was conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago and was commissioned by the Physicians Advocacy Institute. It aimed to examine the experiences of docs employed by hospitals and health systems, VC and private equity firms, payers and staffing agencies.

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Feds warn of remote patient monitoring fraud: Patients and healthcare providers beware

The Health Law Offices of Anthony C. Vitale

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) is alerting the public about a remote patient monitoring fraud scheme.

According to the watchdog agency, “unscrupulous companies are signing up Medicare enrollees for this service, regardless of medical necessity.” They may do it through phone solicitation, ads on the Internet or even television commercials.

Beneficiaries may receive calls from durable medical equipment companies (DME) or pharmacies. Medical equipment may or may not be sent to the Medicare beneficiary. In most instances, there isn’t even monthly monitoring. Regardless, the billing begins.

HCA Healthcare buy 11 emergency centers in Texas

Sydney Halleman reports for Healthcare Dive:

For-profit hospital chain HCA Healthcare’s Houston affiliate announced last week it completed its acquisition of 11 free-standing emergency departments from SignatureCare Emergency Centers.

HCA Houston Healthcare, which operates a network of 13 hospitals and nine outpatient surgery centers, now has 26 free-standing emergency departments in the area in addition to hospital-based emergency rooms, according to a Friday press release.

New research on a drug to fight against Alzheimer’s

NBC4 Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Just four months after the Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to a new Alzheimer’s drug, it’s estimated that tens of thousands of patients in the initial stages of the disease are taking it.

The drug, Lecanemab, is the first-ever medication to slow the process of Alzheimer’s, but it must be given soon after symptoms first appear.

Now, researchers want to know what happens if it’s given to people who have no symptoms at all.

View the video HERE.

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