Medicare�s Nursing Home Compare adds new measures, updates today 10, 2016 � One of Medicare�s most popular ratings websites - � was updated thisThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) says it has added new measures... Raising Medicare eligibility age may save feds dollars but drive up Some health spending dropped by a third with switch from private May 6, 2016 - Healthcare spending for some services dropped by nearly a third when people turned 65 and switched from private insurance to Medicare, according to a recent study. The decline was driven by lower prices paid by the Medicare program to doctors and other providers rather than a drop-off in the volume of services seniors receive. Nursing Home Compare expanded by Now has 24 measures for May 2, 2016 - Six new quality measures have been added to the Nursing Home Compare website and three are the first to be based on Medicare-claims

data from hospitals, rather than data self-reported by nursing New CMS rules for Medicaid plans will improve services Rules tighten for private insurance plans that administer most Medicaid benefits for theBariatric surgery is considered medically necessary when it is used as a treatment for medical conditions that were caused by or worsened by the patient’s obesity. Shih Poo Puppies For Sale MissouriThese conditions must be so severe that the benefits of eventual weight loss clearly outweigh the risks associated with bariatric surgery.Magnifying Mirror With Light Free Standing Bariatric surgery is not considered beneficial if the primary purpose is weight loss for its own sake, for cosmetic reasons, to correct psychological problems with poor body image, or simply because the patient prefers surgery to other traditional forms of weight loss.Weight Loss Programs Port Charlotte

Age limits on bariatric surgery for adolescents extend to female patients who are 13 years old or older and are menstruating, and for male patients who are 15 years old or older. Pre-authorization documentation used to determine eligibility for bariatric surgery must cover all of the following: The prior authorization request must include documentation to show that the patient has demonstrated his/her compliance with medical treatment. The patient also must have demonstrated at least 6 months of compliance with a physician directed, non-surgical weight-loss program that occurred with 12 months of the request date. Revisional bariatric surgery may be deemed medically necessary in these circumstances: Behavioral health services are not considered part of the bariatric surgery proper, but may be provided as part of the pre-operative or post-operative phase of bariatric surgery. News & Media > Press release Florida Blue and AmeriHealth Caritas Reaffirm Commitment to Florida's Medicaid Program

Joint Venture Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Prestige Health Choice Florida Blue and AmeriHealth Caritas today announced that Florida True Health, a joint venture of the two organizations to bring best-in-class Medicaid managed care and services to Florida, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Prestige Health Choice ("Prestige"). The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. In 2012, Florida True Health purchased a minority interest in Prestige, a Medicaid health plan that operates in 55 of the state's 67 counties and currently serves more than 300,000 members. Under the new ownership, the company will remain fully dedicated to its mission of providing quality, affordable care to those most in need in the community, and it will maintain important relationships with its provider network to serve members across the state. "This transaction is a testament to the shared dedication of Florida Blue, AmeriHealth Caritas and Prestige to provide quality health care and services to Floridians who need it most," said Chuck Divita, chief financial officer of Florida Blue and a member of the Florida True Health board of directors.

"We look forward to serving the state’s Medicaid beneficiaries and continuing our close relationship with the provider community that has helped build a great company in Prestige." The new ownership structure will leverage the established expertise of all organizations and provide a strong foundation to address the needs of the Medicaid program. "We are excited about this opportunity and our partnership with Florida Blue to serve the growing number of Floridians who receive Medicaid benefits," said Paul A. Tufano, chairman and chief executive officer of AmeriHealth Caritas. "Our shared commitment to providing access to quality health care and services, combined with our deep experience and expertise, will ensure a best-in-class approach to addressing Florida's health care needs." "Prestige has achieved much success over the years," said Pat Mabe, chairwoman of the board of managers for Prestige. "The new ownership structure reflects our shared commitment to the members we serve and we look forward to continuing to work with the health plan."

Florida Blue, Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, is a leader in Florida's health care industry. Driven by its mission to help people and communities achieve better health, Florida Blue has more than 4 million health care members across the state. An additional 15.5 million people in 16 states are served through its affiliated companies. Florida Blue is a subsidiary of GuideWell Mutual Holding Company, a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Florida Blue is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation's leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 16 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves more than 6.8 million Medicaid, Medicare and CHIP members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, behavioral health services and other administrative services.