Uber Partners with Hackensack University Medical Center to Provide Patient Rides

Uber goes medical? New Jersey’s Hackensack University Medical Center, where 10,000 patients undergo same-day treatments and some have to wait up to eight hours for a ride home, is partnering with Uber to provide transportation. Fares will be based on the patient’s financial needs. There’s an app for that.

Unauthorized Filming for NY Med Results in $2.2 Million Settlement

Wondering about the price of fame? According to the U.S. Office for Civil Rights, it’s $2.2 million if you don’t ask permission first. New York–Presbyterian Hospital settled the case after disclosing the protected health information of two patients without obtaining authorization while filming the ABC series NY Med. Lesson learned? HIPAA always wins.

CDC Panel Recommends Against Using FluMist Vaccine

After reviewing previous seasons’ data, the CDC is recommending FluMist not be used this season due to suboptimal effectiveness. Pediatricians will be highly affected, as a third of pediatric flu immunizations are intranasal. Let’s hope there are enough shots to go around, or we could be looking at a rough winter.

Single GME Update: Successes, Challenges, and a Possible Solution

Thirty percent of American Osteopathic Association (AOA) programs have applied to be or already are ACGME-accredited. One-hundred percent that applied for osteopathic recognition received it. Understanding the different language used by the AOA and ACGME may be a challenge. The Single Application System (SAS) Application Assistance Program provided by the AOA may be a useful resource for programs currently seeking ACGME accreditation.

Obama’s Health Law Wrongly Repaying Funds to Insurers, Judge Says

Insurers are required to offer discounts to low-income consumers under the Affordable Care Act. A 2014 House of Representatives lawsuit was filed to block the government from reimbursing insurers for these payments. The courts recently sided with the House, but a stay will allow for an appeal before any changes go into effect.

Study: Dying in Hospital 7x More Expensive than Dying at Home

A claims data analysis from Arcadia Healthcare Solutions showed that dying in the hospital was seven times more expensive than dying at home. The average cost for medical care in the last month of life was $4,760 for those who died at home and $32,379 for those who died in the hospital.