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Utah becomes first state to use AI for initial prescriptions without human oversight
Gen Z seems to appreciate TikTok doctors more than the ones seen in person
Texas is investigating whether UnitedHealthcare denied patient coverage in violation of state law
‘Black matter’ in ICU Medical IV drips deemed unlikely to pose a risk to patients
Should traditional Medicare emulate Medicare Advantage by capping patients’ out-of-pocket maximums?
tiktok physician doctor
Gen Z seems to appreciate TikTok doctors more than the ones seen in person

As long as the influencer presents with apparent knowledgeability, a polished appearance, medical accoutrements and a caring demeanor, he or she will probably be afforded plenty of leeway to hold forth on all things health and healthcare.

FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration
‘Black matter’ in ICU Medical IV drips deemed unlikely to pose a risk to patients

In an update to an early alert from May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said an investigation by the device manufacturer concluded the black spots were part of the PVC material used in manufacturing.

Acne
Utah becomes first state to use AI for initial prescriptions without human oversight

Utah’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy will allow patients to use a dermatology app to diagnose and get prescription treatments for acne. More serious skin conditions will be referred to a licensed physician. 

Texas
Texas is investigating whether UnitedHealthcare denied patient coverage in violation of state law

State Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the probe on Monday, citing media reports that show the insurer could have engaged in “deceptive practices.” No formal lawsuit has been filed.

older lady woman gal
Should traditional Medicare emulate Medicare Advantage by capping patients’ out-of-pocket maximums?

Answer to the headline above: Only if traditional Medicare (TM) beneficiaries for Parts A and B would be OK with $10,000 as the cap and taxpayers don’t mind footing a bigger bill for Medicare. 

The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule again has reductions for payments physicians receive. Medicare Money
21M Medicare beneficiaries to receive $90 rebate checks, White House confirms

The money will be sent to eligible Medicare Part B members to offset a month of premiums. Payments will be taken from the Medicare Improvement Fund, used to enhance the program.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sign.
Five states pen an open letter, pleading with HHS, RFK to delay Medicaid work requirements

The states say they do not have enough time to enforce the rule, as CMS only issued an interim final rule this summer. The deadline for full compliance is Jan. 1.

cleveland clinic settles for failing to disclose research funding
Labcorp settles $2.3B data breach lawsuit brought by 44 states

The incident happened in 2019, when a third-party debt collector used by the diagnostics company had a hacker inside its network for over 8 months. In total, the incident exposed records from 27.5 million patients to hackers.

Philadelphia_map
Medicare Advantage insurer accused of upcoding by a whistleblower settles False Claims Act lawsuit for $22.5M

Independence Blue Cross, the largest medical insurance provider in the Philadelphia area, does not admit to wrongdoing. It was accused in a lawsuit backed by the U.S. Department of Justice of misrepresenting the severity of patient illnesses to juice risk-adjusted Medicare payments.

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