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Kaiser Permanente has agreed to pay a fine of $1 million to California for quality of care issues relating to a patient death. This reinforces the new Department of Managed Care ability to fine for quality of care matters and not just regulatory problems with access to care.
Kaiser also decided to give $1 million to Duke University as a research grant rather than take care of two brothers who have Sanfillippo Syndrome, a rare and fatal entity. Kaiser had denied coverage for an experimental stem cell transplant. The state appeal panel agreed but the resultant terrible public relations made Kaiser decide to donate the money and hope that Duke will take the brothers into their program. Duke has given one of the siblings a stem cell transfusion but it is too late for the other two. Congratulations to Kaiser on their delay. Top
I am sure everyone know Tenet is being bad mouthed for their overcharges. What they have done is probably not moral or ethical but it is legal. Over the course of years they have increased their charges continuously. This has led to their charges being much greater than their competitors. Medicare pays all hospitals on a DRG basis unless the patient is an outlier. If that happens the hospital is paid a percent of costs. Since Tenet has higher cost figures they are paid a percent of a higher number. CMS recognizes this and virtually states it's their fault. CMS also states they will change the rules to close the loophole that Tenet found and others did not. This will have a major hit on the per share price of Tenet stock. Tenet has been accused by the California Nurses Assn. for a great increase in drug costs, which no one pays. CNA is in a struggle with Tenet for a new contract so one must discount what the CNA states by at least half. Top
DISCLAIMER: Although this article is updated periodically, it reflects the author's point of view at the time of publication. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Readers should consult with their own legal counsel before acting on any of the information presented.