Group items tagged

COVID emergency relief funds restrict medical billing services from sending surprise bills to patients on behalf of clinicians. Does this mean surprise billing is about to end?

January 1 2022, the No Surprises Act (NSA) went into effect, opting for more transparency in medical billing and requiring physicians to provide Good Faith Estimates. While a great win for patients, the arbitration it creates between provider and insurer could see many solo/private practices closed permanently.

We have seen many protests against surprise medical bills, and the good news is that the federal law regarding this will take effect in January 2022. We can see patients becoming more powerful and the healthcare industry becoming more flexible and cost-efficient. Read more.

Pfizer's plan to sell its Haleon stake is not a surprise, the consumer health company's finance chief Tobias Hestler told Reuters on Wednesday (3 May). London-listed Haleon was carved out as an independent company in July and comprises consumer health assets once owned by GSK and Pfizer. Pfizer, which has a 32% stake in the maker of Sensodyne toothpaste and Panadol painkillers, told the Financial Times on Tuesday that it intends to offload that stake in a "slow and methodical" manner within months. Hestler said Pfizer has long been clear about its intention to sell off the stake, suggesting that the reason the potential of the selloff has gained traction is because the selling window opens around the time that Haleon's results are announced. "This will happen every quarter from now until they're sold off…this is just what's expected," he said, adding: "If I get a courtesy call the evening before they do it then that would be nice, but they don't even have to do that." Shares of the world's biggest standalone consumer health business were down more than 3% in early trading.

If you've noticed a small yet significant decrease in your pathology practice or clinical lab income for the first quarter of 2019, don't be surprised. That's because CMS estimates the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) changes will result in an overall two percent decrease in pay to pathologists and independent laboratories, despite an increase in the conversion factor (CF).

Kylie Jenner just took showering love on her beloved's birthday to an altogether different level by gifting a shining new Lamborghini to Travis Scott on his 28th birthday. She started celebrating Scott's birthday five days prior to the actual birth date that is the 30th of April. Jenner saved the best gift, the silver Lamborghini worth $280K for the last and took him by surprise with the stellar birthday present. Scott, the father of Jenner's one year old daughter Stormi Webster, took to his Instagram stories for flaunting the sparkly new car with a huge red bow resting on its hood. With hearts and smiling emojis, Scott wrote, "Wifey you go in every time". Travis too is no less than Jenner. Last year, he gifted Kellie a gorgeous white Rolls Royce on her 21st birthday.

Recently, the Indian Army took the Twiterrati by surprise as it claimed to have discovered the footprints of a Yeti around the Makalu base camp of Nepal on 0th of April. Indian Army even tweeted pictures of the mythical creature of Nepali folklore as well. Their Twitter post read, " For the first time, an #IndianArmy Mountaineering Expedition Team has sited Mysterious Footprints of mythical beast 'Yeti' measuring 32×15 inches close to Makalu Base Camp on 09 April 2019. This elusive snowman has only been sighted at Makalu-Barun National Park in the past."

Father's Day is just around the corner and we all know how tough it is to pick a gift for the men in our lives. We want to surprise them, we want gigantic smiles on their faces, yet we are often confused as to what to gift our dads on special occasions like this. So if you are stuck in a rut and don't want to go for the usual perfume and wallet for your dad, here are some cool gift ideas that will make your dad super happy this Father's Day:

Choosing to participate in the medical field is a wonderful opportunity. But perhaps you'd rather branch off a little bit from the norm and pick a slightly different career. If that's what you're hoping to achieve, then becoming a pharmacist may just be the right choice for you. Here's what you need to know before becoming a pharmacist and how you can easily pay for your degree. WHAT DOES A PHARMACIST DO? Honestly, it's surprising to think how many people underestimate the pharmacy profession. Some genuinely think that they're just people who give you medicine over the counter. And while this is certainly one of their duties, a pharmacist is so much more than that. Believe it or not, pharmacists are trained medical professionals.

HayMax, manufacturer of organic, drug-free allergen barrier balms for hay fever, dust, and pet allergies, has recently won the 2023 Global 100 awards. The HayMax balm, applied around nostril rims and eye bones, is an innovative allergen blocker against pollen, dust, and pet allergens entering the body. Independent university research confirms it traps over a third of pollen, along with dust mites and pet dander, before they enter the body, according to HayMax. The drug-free balm is Soil Association-certified organic, comprising 100 per cent natural ingredients. Safe for children, pregnant, and breastfeeding women, it holds the Vegetarian Society Approved trademark. This award has come as a complete surprise to us at HayMax," said HayMax MD, Max Wiseberg. "Being held in such high regard through this global recognition is truly delightful." "The Global 100 aims to offer readers insight into firms that excel in their chosen specialties, and the award underscores hard work and innovation of various companies," said its organisers.

Drugmakers GSK, Pfizer, Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim on Tuesday were spared thousands of US lawsuits claiming that the heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer, as a judge found the claims were not backed by sound science. The ruling by US District Judge Robin Rosenberg in West Palm Beach, Florida, knocks out about 50,000 claims in federal court, though it does not directly affect tens of thousands of similar cases pending in state courts around the country. "We are extremely surprised by this miscarriage of justice," and "fully expect" the ruling will be reversed on appeal, lawyers for the plaintiffs said in a joint statement. A Sanofi spokesperson said the decision "significantly decreases the scope of the litigation potentially by over 50 per cent," with the remaining litigation being only in state court. A spokesperson for GSK said the company welcomed the decision and Pfizer said it was pleased by the outcome. Privately-held German drugmaker Boehringer said in a statement that it looked forward to "continuing our vigorous defense of the remaining cases in state courts."

Microplates are an important part of many laboratory experiments. They are often used to measure the results of a process or to test a product. When working with microplates, it is important to use the right closure and sealing method to ensure accurate results. This article will discuss the different types of closures and seals available, as well as how to choose the right one for your needs. HEAT SEALING METHOD One of the most common methods for sealing microplates is the heat seal method. This method uses a heating element to melt the top layer of the plate, which then bonds to the bottom layer. Heat sealing is a quick and easy way to seal a microplate, and it is often used for plates that will be stored for long periods. For this reason, heat sealing is the preferred method for sealing storage plates. Heat sealing is also one of the most cost-effective methods for sealing microplates. If you are interested to learn more about heat sealing, you may be surprised to find that there are many pieces of heat sealing equipment for sale at a very reasonable price. You just need to take the time to find the right one for your needs. As much as possible, choose the one with adjustable temperature settings so you can find the perfect heat for your microplates. More often than not, 225 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for heat sealing.

The primary responsibility of community pharmacists is taking care of their patients but to do that they also need to learn how to run the business. It is one thing to be au fait with profit and loss statements, reimbursement models, budgets analysis, business planning and so much more but quite another when one is hard pressed on everything - time, resources and cash flow. Bas Vorsteveld - the new vice president and general manager in Great Britain & Ireland for Haleon, a new company 100 per cent focussed on consumer healthcare - has witnessed first-hand how "time poor" pharmacists usually are and is committed to helping ease their burden wherever possible. "They can be drowning in work at all times throughout the day. If I happen to spot a community pharmacy while I am out shopping with the family, I almost always pop into the store, with obviously a lot of questions in my head. If the pharmacist has the time, I ask them a few questions and once we start the conversation and they find out that I'm the general manager for a company that provides them with some of their big brand products, I often get a look of total surprise on their face, especially as I've come to visit their store and take the time to speak with them personally. I've really seen first-hand what a busy bunch they are! "I often want to know how the shop front is presented? What does the pharmacy look like from inside? Is there a big queue? What kind of advertisement the pharmacy has in place? How are our products merchandised?

Are you looking for ways technology can improve the health sector? Technology has revolutionized every industry imaginable, so it's no surprise that it has also made its mark on the health sector. In this blog post, we will discuss how technology is helping to improve healthcare for everyone. From telemedicine to mobile apps, technology makes it easier than ever for people to get the care they need. Keep reading to learn more. EASILY ACCESSIBLE MEDICAL INFORMATION One of the biggest ways technology improves healthcare is by making medical information more accessible to everyone. In the past, if you had a question about your health, you would have to either make an appointment with a doctor or do some research on your own. However, thanks to the internet, now you can easily find answers to all of your questions with a few clicks of a button. If you are running a medical facility, it is important to ensure that your IT department is up to date on all of the latest advancements in healthcare technology. As highlighted by the team behind Medicus IT, you can hire an IT health expert to manage all aspects of your digital infrastructure so that you can focus on providing quality patient care. This way, you can ensure that your patients are getting the best possible care.

A Boots UK branch store in Hinckley town centre closed 'until further notice' as there was 'no pharmacist available' to work on Monday (May 9). A local news report said: "The sign on the door reads: "Unfortunately, we are unable to open until further notice. We are working hard to get this rectified. "We apologise for the inconvenience. Hearing care appointments please wait here to be greeted."" LeicestershireLive reported a patient saying that their appointment for a hearing aid check had been postponed until Tuesday. It added: "The customer was surprised to be told by staff that the store had to close as there was no pharmacist available."

It is no surprise that working nights is challenging. However, there are more health hazards associated with night shift than you might be aware of. Let's explore common health risks that night shift workers face. Read more: https://www.hospitalrecruiting.com/blog/8257/health-hazards-of-working-nights/?utm_source=social_media&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=social_posting #healthcare #nightshift #graveyardshift #healthyliving

Dry eye disease, also known as dry eye syndrome, occurs when the eye stops producing enough tears, the tears that are made are of poor quality or the tears evaporate faster than they should. This causes dryness and irritation of the surface of the eye and results in inflammation, discomfort, and damage.[i] Symptoms include dry, red, itchy or tired eyes, blurred vision and foreign body sensation. From over-the-counter eye drops and heated eye masks, to eyelid-cleansing wipes, there are a multitude of options that can be offered to sufferers to provide relief. As a result of the pandemic and new living and working patterns, the World Health Organization has indicated dry eye disease is on the rise. This can be attributed to various lifestyle factors including increased screen use and wearing of face masks. An increase in sufferers seeking advice on the condition in pharmacies has also been reported. It is no surprise that sufferers will turn to their pharmacists for help, support and information on the condition and how it can be managed by treatment options available over-the-counter.

What will it take to get help from the government before an individual or sector breaks? Pharmacists raised questions after the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC)'s 2023 Pharmacy Pressures Survey confirmed the ongoing pressures and health issues faced by the pharmacies. Pharmacists are not all shocked by the PSNC's survey report as they feel the same as what has been reported related to their businesses and health. They hope the government listens and work with them to find resolutions. "We are bullied into a corner," said Salim Jetha Chairman, Avicenna. "Unlike other industries, we can't increase our prices. Most of the daily calls I get from Independents is about financial health of their business and any cost cutting would be detrimental to patient care. Urgent holistic review is required." Bristol pharmacist Ade Williams said: "The report is a dire indictment, and I would also warn, likely an underestimate of the extent and detrimental impact of the ongoings pressures and squeeze on Community pharmacies." "If the closest interface of the NHS to communities and patients is so distressed, what does that mean for those that need and depend on us? We are notoriously very stoic, so this is a warning light, which, taken with workforce pressures, market-exit activity, and other reports raising concern about wellbeing and stress, must beg the question; what will it take to get help before the sector and individuals break?" he questioned. The survey results don't surprise Kent-based community pharmacist Amish Patel. He said, "I have been feeling exactly what has been reported for far too long. I'm burnt out and would say beginning to suffer with my own health because of it. Now it's for PSNC to talk to government, and government to listen and work with us to find resolutions."