Surgical rehospitalization of the medicare fee-for-service patient: a state-level analysis exploring 30-day readmission factors.

Purpose Of Study: Surgical readmissions are a concern to the integrity of the Medicare Trust Fund and gaining attention from policymakers concerned about solvency. This study explores factors associated with variation in surgical readmission rates across the states and provides implications for Medicare Case Management.

Primary Practice Setting(s): Acute inpatient hospital settings.

Acute myocardial infarction rehospitalization of the medicare fee-for-service patient: a state-level analysis exploring 30-day readmission factors.

Purpose Of The Study: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) readmission among the older adults is frequent and costly to the Medicare Trust Fund and to the patient in preventable suffering. In this study, we explore factors that are associated with states having AMI readmission rates that are higher than the U.S.

Children's mental-health language access laws: state factors influence policy adoption.

Despite federal legislation to equalize healthcare for children with limited English language proficiency, some state healthcare agencies and programs fall short in providing children's linguistic services for mental healthcare. While some states have been aggressive in passing cultural and linguistic laws aimed at providing protection for children, other states have not, limiting children of all ages to potential substandard care. This research uses state-level data and multivariate regression analysis to explore why some states are adopting these laws, whereas others are not.

Heart failure rehospitalization of the Medicare FFS patient: a state-level analysis exploring 30-day readmission factors.

Purpose Of Study: Heart failure readmission among the elderly is frequent and costly to both the patient and the Medicare trust fund. In this study, the authors explore the factors that are associated with states having heart failure readmission rates that are higher than the U.S.

Pneumonia rehospitalization of the Medicare fee-for-service patient: a state-level analysis: exploring 30-day readmission factors.

Purpose Of The Study: Pneumonia hospitalization and subsequent readmission among the elderly are frequent and costly both to patient and to the Medicare trust fund. In this study, we explored the factors that are associated with states having pneumonia readmission rates that are higher than the U.S.

The telehealth divide: disparities in searching public health information online.

This article explores e government inequalities to searching Medicare and Medicaid information online. Telehealth, a branch of e government, can bring public health service and insurance information to the citizen. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website, among others, has critical information for potential beneficiaries and recipients of services.

Policy determinants affect telehealth implementation.

The objective of this study is to explore the variation in the implementation of telehealth programs in the United States. In researching this topic, we assess the influence of traditional policy determinants on the extent of telehealth program implementation. The methodology used in our evaluation is cross-sectional time series regression analysis.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996: just an incremental step in reshaping government.

In 1996, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was adopted as a step toward reshaping government health care. Referred to as the HIPAA, it enables portability of health care insurance coverage for workers and their families when they change or lose their jobs (Title I), sets a standard or benchmark for safeguarding electronic and paper exchange of health information, and requires national identifiers for providers, health plans, and employers (Title II). The final policy implementation rule outlines the entities affected by the legislation as health care providers, health plans, health care clearinghouses, and vendors offering computer software applications to providers and those billing for health services (Health Privacy Project, 2002; Public Law 104-191 1996; Rules and Regulations, 2003; U.