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Wall Street Journal Examines Patients' Confusion Over Coverage Of Preventive Exams
As employers increasingly offer no-cost preventive care as a means of controlling health costs, some people under such plans are being charged for services not deemed preventive by the insurer, the Wall Street Journal reports. According to Watson Wyatt Worldwide, 72% of large employers in 2009 cover 100% of preventive care -- such as physicals, colonoscopies or mammograms -- for employees, an increase from 55% of large companies in 2008. The Journal reports that the charges often result from billing errors or from a physician"s office being unaware of an insurer"s procedures. Charges that are the result of billing errors often can be reversed. However, others -- such as a test or treatment not being defined by the insurer as preventive -- force some patients to "wage a protracted battle" to get the charges reversed, according to the Journal. When unexpected charges appear on patients" bills, physicians and employers often receive complaints but they have little control over how insurers classify treatments. The Journal reports that patients can prevent being charged for preventive services by checking with their insurer before seeking care; asking for specific, covered screenings and treatments at physicians" offices; reviewing explanation of benefits forms supplied by insurers; asking supervisors at insurers to review disputed claims; and seeking help from employees in company human re departments (Wilde Mathews, Wall Street Journal, 5/21).

Junior Doctors Across The NHS On Course To Meet New Working Time Target, UK
The overwhelming majority of all junior doctor rotas will be compliant with the requirements of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) by 1st August 2009, Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.
News of the day
Two Physicians Treat Most Residents With HIV In Southeastern Wyoming
The Casper Star-Tribune profiled Carol Fischer and Mark Dowell, the only two physicians in southeastern Wyoming that treat large numbers of people with HIV. There are more than 100 people in Wyoming living with HIV, according to the state Department of Health, and Fischer and Dowell treat most of them, the Star-Tribune reports. Fischer has been deemed the "de facto AIDS doctor" in the area as she received no formal training on HIV, but Dowell is an expert on the disease who became the state"s first full-time infectious disease specialist (Miller, Casper Star-Tribune, 6/7).
Public Health

YouGov Survey Reveals Low Awareness Of Potentially Fatal Heart Condition That Affects Significant Number Of People In UK

As many as 700,000 people in the UK suffer from a heart abnormality called arrhythmia, a potentially fatal condition, which the majority of Londoners have never heard of - according to a recent survey conducted by YouGov[1]. Many of the deaths associated with arrhythmias could be prevented due to advances in the identification and treatment of high risk patients. The survey highlights that 75% of the public are also unaware that arrhythmia can greatly increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.[2] The YouGov survey showed that many people are more concerned about cancer and mental health compared with heart disease, even though this can also be fatal if not diagnosed and treated in time.[1] More than half (55%) of those surveyed have never had a simple ECG examination and so remain unaware of the general health of their hearts.[1] Arrhythmia is an umbrella term for a range of heart conditions where the heart beats abnormally.[3] The effects of arrhythmias vary in severity from person to person, but typically include palpitations that can have a major impact on quality of life.[3] Although a fairly common heart complaint, the symptoms of arrhythmia are often transient, making diagnosis difficult, despite it being one of the top ten causes of hospital attendance in the UK.[4] In some cases there is no known cause of an arrhythmia however drinking, smoking, high blood pressure and stress are all believed to play a role, whilst for some people, a genetic factor is involved.[5] Three private London hospitals have formed the London Arrhythmia Network[6] to promote public awareness of arrhythmias and reinforce the importance of monitoring heart health. London Bridge Hospital, The Harley Street Clinic and The Wellington Hospital are home to leading consultant cardiologists who specialise in diagnosing and treating arrhythmias using the very latest surgical technology.[3,4,7] Traditionally, arrhythmias were treated with medication which did not cure the condition and for many patients resulted in unpleasant side-effects such as tiredness and lethargy and can be potentially dangerous if used inexpertly. However, recent developments in surgical techniques have now led to a minor keyhole surgical procedure that can provide a cure in some groups of patients that fail to respond to other treatments. Treatments for arrhythmias depend on the type and severity but catheter ablation is considered a first line treatment for some types of arrhythmia and can be a trouble-free cure for patients who have not responded to alternative therapy. Other treatments include pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators or cardioversion and cardiac resynchronisation therapy, which all help in restoring the normal rhythm of the heart and can greatly increase patients" chances of long term survival.[2,3,7] "This survey demonstrates that awareness of arrhythmia is worryingly low, despite the potential for serious harm that is associated with the condition. It is important to keep the heart healthy through lifestyle choices and look out for any warning signs such as changes in heart rhythm, shortness of breath or chest pains. If anyone experiences these symptoms, they should seek the advice of their healthcare professional immediately." Dr John Foran, Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist, The Harley Street Clinic Catheter Ablation Catheter ablation is a minor keyhole surgical procedure that can provide a cure for some types of arrhythmias where patients have not responded to other treatments. With a success rate in excess of 90% for many arrhythmias treated with this procedure and a very low risk of complications, patients often make a full recovery within just a few days. The specialist consultants from the London Arrhythmia Network provide the full range of heart health check services and routinely perform catheter ablation procedures. For more information, visit http://www.londonarrhythmianetwork.co.uk The London Arrhythmia Network consists of London Bridge Hospital, The Harley Street Clinic and The Wellington Hospital which are owned by private hospital group, HCA International. Each hospital is a recognised Centre of Excellence for cardiology and home to leading consultants specialising in diagnosing and treating arrhythmia patients. Commitment to surgical quality, patient care and the latest technology has virtually eliminated hospital-acquired infections, such as MRSA, making the London Arrhythmia Network the ideal choice for patients and doctors. References [1] YouGov Survey, 1,125 London adults aged 18+. Fieldwork 11th - 13th March 2009" [2] Department of Health. National Services Framework for Coronary Heart Disease. Chapter Eight: Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death. March 2005 [3] London Bridge Hospital Website. Available here. [4] The Wellington Hospital Website. Available here. [5] National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Website. Available here. [6] The London Arrhythmia Network Website. Available here. [7] The Harley Street Clinic Website. Available here. HCA


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