Here are seven updates:
UnitedHealthcare announces updated site of service guidelines for 8 outpatient procedures
UnitedHealthcare announced eight different outpatients procedures and service groups that will require preauthorization in an outpatient hospital setting, but will not require prior authorization if performed in an ambulatory surgery center. The new guidelines will go into effect Oct. 1 for most states.
CBO projects federal healthcare spending will reach 6.2% of GDP by 2025
The Congressional Budget Office predicts federal spending on Medicare, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program and health insurance exchange subsides will rise to 6.2 percent of the nation's gross domestic product in 2025, up from 5.2 percent this year.
Quest Diagnostics will pay $1.8M to settle Medicare fraud allegations
Madison, N.J.-based Quest Diagnostics, paid the federal government $1.79 million to settle allegations that it submitted false claims to Medicare. Quest Diagnostics, an international provider of clinical and laboratory services, allegedly submitted duplicate claims for some venipuncture services, panel tests and components of those panels.
Harvard study: 'Cowboy doctors' drive up Medicare costs by 12%
A recent study found "cowboy doctors," or physicians who provide unnecessary care for patients, may account for up to 12 percent of overall Medicare expenses and 35 percent of end-of-life Medicare expenses. Physicians who are male, older and in solo or two-person practices are more likely to be cowboys, according to the study.
Carolina Surgical Center reaches 25th anniversary
Carolina Surgical Center in Rock Hill, S.C. celebrated its 25th anniversary. The surgery center performed 936 procedures during the year it opened and performed 5,200 procedures in 2014.
CDC urges medical centers to decrease infections
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages medical centers to focus on reducing antibiotic-resistance infection. The CDC predicted "619,000 cases of hospital-acquired infections could be eliminated in the next five years." Communication between medical facilities is essential to eliminate hospital-acquired infections.
Dublin Surgery Center files for $114k in equity financing
Dublin (Ohio) Surgery Center filed form D for $114,102 in equity financing. The center was able to sell 100 percent of the offer.
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