The funding level for next year is being carefully watched by physicians who could find themselves ejected from Medicare Advantage provider networks in the name of cost control. Medscape Medical News
Tag: News
CMS Promises More Thorough Testing of ICD-10 Codes
The ‘end-to-end’ testing sought by organized medicine will show whether Medicare claims incorporating the new and controversial ICD-10 codes actually get paid. Medscape Medical News
Glucose Prompts Passing Glaucoma Fix in Some
In patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), topical application of glucose can lead to temporary recovery, according to Australian researchers. Reuters Health Information
Ranibizumab and Long-Term Diabetic Macular Edema Outcomes
The benefits of individualized ranibizumab treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) persist for at least three years, according to results from the RESTORE extension study. Reuters Health Information
Bevacizumab vs Ranibizumab: Cost-Effectiveness for AMD
Bevacizumab is more cost-effective than ranibizumab for the treatment of newly diagnosed neovascular macular degeneration, according to a mathematical model. Reuters Health Information
Alfuzosin for BPH Linked to Fewer Snags in Cataract Surgery
Alfuzosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia causes fewer cataract surgery complications than tamsulosin. Medscape Medical News
Vision Training May Help Patients With Glaucoma See Better
Patients with glaucoma experienced vision improvements and faster reactions to stimuli after computer-based vision training. Medscape Medical News
SGR Bill Rolls Meaningful Use Into New Incentive Program
Medicare bonuses would max out at 12% and penalties at 4% in 2018 under a bipartisan bill that shifts reimbursement from fee-for-service to pay-for-performance. Medscape Medical News
Effectiveness of Glaucoma Drugs Similar in Trials, ‘Real Life’
Eye drops to lower intraocular pressure are as effective in real-life use as they are among clinical trial subjects, a new study suggests. Reuters Health Information
Visual Field Test Catches Some HCQ Retinopathy Missed by OCT
Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography without visual field test misses nearly 10% of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy scotomas. Medscape Medical News
Medicare Doc Pay Change Would Boost Patient Coordination
Expectations are high this year that Congress will finally reach an agreement to overhaul the way Medicare pays doctors for services, scrapping a method that’s been the target of criticism for more than a decade. Kaiser Health News
Retinopathy in Preemies Linked to Nonvisual Problems Later
Children who were born prematurely and diagnosed with severe retinopathy were at increased risk of having nonvisual disabilities at age 5 years. Medscape Medical News
Postmenopausal Estrogen May Slightly Lower Risk for Glaucoma
Estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women slightly lowered the risk for primary open-angle glaucoma. Medscape Medical News
Anti-VEGF Drugs Making a Difference in Vision, Long-Term Care
Treatments for wet macular degeneration have made a difference in the number of Americans losing their vision and being admitted to nursing homes, a new study shows. Reuters Health Information
TMP-SMX Prevents Ocular Toxoplasmosis Recurrence
Extended treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole may reduce the risk of recurrence in patients with Toxoplasma gondii retinochoroiditis (TGR), according to a new study of 95 patients. Reuters Health Information
Neuromyelitis Optica: What Immunosuppressive Agent Is Best?
Rituximab and mycophenolate are superior to azathioprine for treatment of neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a comparative analysis shows. Reuters Health Information
Identifying Vision Loss in Children With Optic Pathway Gliomas
Handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be used to differentiate between young children with and without vision loss from optic pathway gliomas, according to an observational study. Reuters Health Information
Myopia: Bifocals May Slow Progression in Some Children
New results may point to a piece of the puzzle in slowing the progression of myopia in children. Medscape Medical News