Chelsey Ledue

A new coverage program allows Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield subscribers in New Hampshire to use walk-in and urgent care centers across the state when their physician is not available.

Kaiser Permanente has launched "Patient Safety Initiative at America's Public Hospitals,” a program designed to enhance patient safety programs at public hospitals to ensure safe, high-quality care for vulnerable and low-income populations.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced that Medicaid programs in seven states will receive federal matching funds for state planning activities necessary to implement the electronic health record incentive program established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Many adults are juggling part-time caregiving and full-time job requirements, according to a new study.

Healthcare groups have urged Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid during the past year to fix or eliminate the proposed durable medical equipment competitive bidding process, fearing that it won't work.

In order to maximize financial incentives, Kern Medical Center of Bakersfield, Calif., has plans to employ Medsphere Systems’ OpenVista electronic health record by the end of 2010.

National Health Investors, Inc., has agreed to purchase back six Florida skilled nursing facilities from Care Foundation of America, Inc., for $67 million, 10 years after selling the six nursing homes to CFA for just over $32 million.

The durable medical equipment industry was threatened at every turn in 2009, as fighting over the DME Medicare competitive bidding final rule was intense.

In a year when economic conditions made doctors feel they had less control over the way they practiced, and many different plans for healthcare reform were proposed, the consensus in the community care sector is clear: reform is necessary, and soon.

The recession hit many physician practices hard in 2009, forcing docs to become creative in their approach to the delivery of care, practice ownership, and other administrative issues.