UnitedHealthcare in the Hot Seat Over GI Procedure ‘Advance Notification’ Policy
Provider groups shared varied reactions to changes that insurance giant UnitedHealthcare is making to its policies for coverage of various gastroenterology procedures, including colonoscopies. In January, UnitedHealthcare informed providers that beginning June 1, it would be instituting a prior authorization policy. According to the proposed policy — which was previously on the insurer’s website and […]
Helmet CPAP Leads Noninvasive Ventilation Therapies for Acute Respiratory Failure
The available noninvasive oxygenation strategies varied in their effectiveness in treating acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF), according to a meta-analysis of randomized trials. Helmet continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was the only modality that had at least moderate certainty evidence backing a probable mortality reduction compared with standard oxygen therapy (SOT; 231 fewer deaths per […]
Stroke Data Hint at High Practice Variability Between EMS Agencies
Individual EMS agencies have varied substantially in their stroke case documentation, raising the question of whether problems might also extend to their operations and implementation of stroke protocols, according to preliminary work from Michigan. Based on 147 EMS agencies working in the state, their compliance with documenting time since last known well (LKW) for stroke […]
CDC: Lower Vax Rates in Nursing Homes Among Low-Wage Staff
COVID-19 vaccination rates varied widely among healthcare personnel (HCP) who worked in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), with less than half of aides vaccinated, researchers found. In March 2021, the highest vaccination rates were seen in physicians and advanced practice providers (75%), while the lowest rates occurred in aides (45.6%), reported James T. Lee, MD, of […]