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Acumedspa Holdings implements AcuClaims for 100 % of insurance verification and billing services

Acumedspa Holdings, Inc., which owns and operates multiple Medical Spa locations throughout South Florida has agreed to begin using AcuClaims for 100 % of insurance verification and billing services.

27 Oct 2009

Economic Adviser Romer goes to bat for 'Cadillac tax,' ways to control costs

ABC News reports that Christina D. Romer, chair of the president's Council of Economic Advisers, "went to bat on Monday for a tax on high-priced insurance plans, the so-called 'Cadillac tax,' calling it 'probably the number one item that health economists across the ideological spectrum believe is likely to stem the explosion of health-care costs.'"

27 Oct 2009

AFL-CIO to push even harder for health reform, may bend on 'Cadillac tax'

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka is "willing to consider a tax on high-value health insurance plans — something labor has vehemently opposed — if middle-class workers aren't hurt, The Associated Press reports. The flexibility is notable because "[l]abor leaders worry that workers would be affected even though lawmakers aimed the proposed tax at insurance plans offering the richest benefits" (Werner, 10/26).

27 Oct 2009

Kansas to introduce constitutional amendment to protect individual rights to purchase health insurance

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the nation's largest individual membership association of state legislators, congratulates Kansas Representatives Peggy Mast and Brenda Landwehr and Kansas Senator Mary Pilcher Cook for announcing their intent to introduce a constitutional amendment to protect the right of individuals to make their own health care choices. Kansas now becomes the 19th state where legislators have introduced, or will introduce, legislation modeled after ALEC's Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act.

27 Oct 2009

Report on healthcare procedure costs published

For the first time, Virginians have access to information on what health care procedures cost -- before they receive medical care. Virginia Health Information has published a report showing the average amounts that health insurers in Virginia pay for 31 procedures -- including preventive, emergency, outpatient, and hospital inpatient care.

27 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 27, 2009

Based on today's headlines, it's fair to say that -- at least for the Senate -- it's all about Majority Leader Harry Reid's announcement regarding the public option.

27 Oct 2009

Insurer contracting policies can jeopardize health care system, says NNCC study

A study conducted by National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC) has found that nearly half (48%) of all major managed-care organizations in the United States do not credential or contract with nurse practitioners as primary care providers.

27 Oct 2009

Centene Corporation third-quarter 2009 net earnings increases to $22.7

Centene Corporation today announced its net earnings from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 were $22.7 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared to $18.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2008. The results of operations for our New Jersey health plan, University Health Plans, are classified as discontinued operations.

27 Oct 2009

Mobile application launched to help consumers compare health care costs

Medica today became the first health plan to launch a mobile application to help consumers compare cost information for a variety of medical procedures. The app, based on the Web site MainStreetMedica.com, is available at the iPhone App Store.

27 Oct 2009

Fight erupts over health insurance rates for businesses employing more women

Kaiser Health News staff writer Jenny Gold reports on issues related to using gender to set rates for large businesses.

27 Oct 2009

Small businesses face higher premiums, push for access to 'exchanges'

"As Congress nears votes on legislation that would overhaul the health care system, many small businesses say they are facing the steepest rise in insurance premiums they have seen in recent years," the New York Times reports.

27 Oct 2009

Humana Medicare Advantage plans for Senior Citizens Bureau members

Humana and The Senior Citizens Bureau (SCB) are collaborating to offer Humana Medicare Advantage plans to more than 500,000 SCB members.

27 Oct 2009

Unions worry about 'Cadillac' tax on expensive health insurance

"Unions representing thousands of teachers and state and local government workers are bracing for the worst if Congress adopts a proposed 'Cadillac' tax on health insurance," Newsday reports.

27 Oct 2009

Senate health bill could come this week, 'compromise' public option now seems likely

Senate Democrats will need to move quickly if they want to pass some version of health overhaul legislation by the end of the year.

27 Oct 2009

New discount prescription program for Wyoming residents

Officials have confirmed that a new statewide prescription assistance program, called Wyoming Rx Card, is being launched tomorrow. The program will provide free discount prescription drug cards to Wyoming residents.

27 Oct 2009

Health care legislation benefits insurers, but annual profits are not so hot

The health insurance industry is likely to benefit from a health care overhaul, but industry profits are not as high as many seem to believe.

26 Oct 2009

Health care bills could leave millions uninsured

The cost of health insurance could hinder President Obama's goal of achieving universal coverage.

26 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 26, 2009

Several Democratic senators voiced optimism on Sunday that Congress would pass a health care bill containing at least the germ of a government-run insurance program. Their expectations were grudgingly seconded by Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate in 2008 (The New York Times).

26 Oct 2009

Insure.com renamed as Life Quotes; Nasdaq ticker symbol to be changed to QUOT

Insure.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: NSUR), announced today that it has completed its corporate name change to Life Quotes, Inc. The Company also announced that its Nasdaq ticker symbol will be changed to QUOT effective with the opening of the market on October 28, 2009.

26 Oct 2009

Moderates will determine fate of public option in health bills

It's Sunday, and not surprisingly, the talk is about the public option - especially on what provisions some senators may be willing to accept in a final health bill.

26 Oct 2009