Claims Processing

Here's the latest reason to be depressed about the state of U.S. healthcare. It appears that the highly qualified Donald Berwick, MD, will not be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Experts say facilities could lose negotiating power

Roughly $48 billion of Medicare’s $507 billion budget in 2010 went to fraudulent or improper payments, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.

In a speech to the Nashville Health Care Council, Marilyn Tavenner, principal deputy administrator and COO of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, highlighted programs that provide a "bridge" to full implementation of healthcare reform in 2014.

Two Pennsylvania Congressmen - from opposite sides of the aisle - have filed a bill seeking to eliminate a competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment that has frustrated providers and consumers.

Those familiar with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Recovery Audit Contractor program say the RAC audits haven't been as bad as was predicted when the controversial program was launched in late 2009.

BancTec, a Dallas-based developer of transaction automation and outsourcing solutions, has unveiled Healthcare Remittance Automation, an outsourced service for providers, aggregators and financial institutions to automate and optimize healthcare payment workflow.

Roughly $48 billion of Medicare's $507 billion budget in 2010 went to fraudulent or improper payments, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.

A new survey from Intuit Health, the developer of patient portal and communication technology, finds two major trends when it comes to Americans and their healthcare: They're worried about their medical bills, and they expect their physicians to be easily accessible online.

Automatic Data Processing, a developer of human resource, payroll and benefits administration services, has acquired AdvancedMD, which develops practice management and electronic health record software for small and mid-sized medical practices.