Managed Care News and Research

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First Edition: October 28, 2009

The news of the day again seems to focus on Senate Democrat's public option as well as the politics, strong-arming and vote-counting that it has caused.

28 Oct 2009

Not enough communication between drug companies and payers before Phase 3, says study

Not enough communication takes place between drug companies and payers before Phase 3, according to a new study from Cutting Edge Information (http://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/market-access/). The study finds that drug companies contact payers an average 2.4 times in all of Phase 2.

28 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

Study: Minimally invasive procedure reduces cost and complications compared to open surgery

Ethicon Endo-Surgery today announced results from two newly published studies that demonstrate a minimally invasive approach in three common procedures resulted in a reduced rate of complications and lower overall cost of care, including a difference of more than $15,000 on average for minimally invasive colectomies, when compared to open surgery.

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

Carroll Hospital Center implements Lawson core applications

Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster, Maryland, recently completed an organization wide deployment of multiple enterprise software applications from Lawson Software (Nasdaq: LWSN). The healthcare provider implemented Lawson Enterprise Financial Management and Asset Management suites as well as Lawson Business Intelligence.

26 Oct 2009

Recent health policy studies and analyses

The Urban Institute: Age Rating Under Comprehensive Health Care Reform: Implications for Coverage, Costs, and Household Financial Burdens - The authors of this study brief compare the "financial implications of the premium rating policy," as outlined in the House Tri-Committee proposal (H.R. 3200), across households of different ages, incomes, and sizes.

23 Oct 2009

URAC Workers' Compensation Utilization Management Accreditation for Employers Occupational Health

Employers Occupational Health, Inc., a subsidiary of Employers Holdings, Inc., (NYSE: EIG), announced today that it has been awarded Workers' Compensation Utilization Management Accreditation from URAC, a Washington, D.C.-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry.

23 Oct 2009

Person-centered planning practices to promote organizational change and innovative service delivery

Today the JBFCS Alan B. Siskind Symposium, "Person in the Center: Innovation and Change," with Keynote Speaker Beth Mount, Ph.D., will explore person-centered planning and organizational innovation followed by a panel discussion that features innovative practice at JBFCS.

22 Oct 2009

Medipattern to introduce its B-CAD-FOR-LIFE program at RSNA 2009

The Medipattern Corporation ("Medipattern"), a pioneer in the development of medical software solutions that help improve imaging workflow and productivity, will be introducing its B-CAD-FOR-LIFE™ program at RSNA 2009.

22 Oct 2009

Unitedhealth announces third quarter results; reports growth in revenues and net earnings

UnitedHealth Group reported third quarter results today, including growth in revenues and net earnings and a continued strong financial position.

20 Oct 2009

States eye budget cuts and health reform

Pennsylvania's hospitals got a small piece of good news when an overdue budget came with smaller than expected cuts. But there and in other states, programs continue to find programs and budgets on the chopping block.

14 Oct 2009

Consumer reports survey shows health plans get lukewarm response

A recent survey shows health insurance plans get "lukewarm" responses while other articles examine how to choose a good plan. The Washington Post reports: "Consumers aren't that enthralled with their current insurance to begin with. In a recent Consumer Reports survey, only 64 percent of readers said they were very or completely satisfied with their plan. That's a lukewarm response and a slight drop from the 67 percent who responded the same way in CR's 2007 report."

14 Oct 2009

Health plans efforts to improve health care access to patients facing language barrier recognized by NCQA

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), with support from The California Endowment, has recognized five managed care plans for their innovative efforts to improve health care access and quality for consumers facing language and cultural barriers that frequently impede their access to life-prolonging care.

13 Oct 2009

FirstCare Texas to provide Vermedx Diabetes Information System to health care providers and patients

FirstCare Texas has signed a contract with Vermedx, Inc. to provide its patent-pending Vermedx Diabetes Information System (VDIS) for the use of health care providers and patients belonging to First Care Health Plan's health maintenance organization operating in Lubbock, Waco, Abilene, and Amarillo, Texas.

13 Oct 2009

President Obama to sign a healthcare reform package, according to members of Congress

At a healthcare forum hosted by Politics magazine, current and former members of Congress said they believed President Obama would sign some sort of a healthcare reform package, most likely later this year. "There would be too much political damage done if something doesn't pass, so Congress will find a way," said Congressman Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX).

13 Oct 2009

Enroll NY website helps New York State's largest public and private health plans with valuable leads

Six of New York State’s largest public and private health plans are receiving valuable leads for their Medicaid managed care, Child Health Plus, and Family Health Plus programs, thanks to a new Web site that allows New Yorkers to quickly screen for public health insurance program eligibility.

12 Oct 2009

RelayHealth networks 50 health systems and hospitals to facilitate health information exchange

RelayHealth, a leading provider of healthcare connectivity services, today announced that 50 health systems and hospitals are now contracted for its solutions to facilitate health information exchange (HIE) and care coordination.

12 Oct 2009

Health industries: Changes could kill health reform bill

Insurers and pharmaceutical manufacturers are concerned that changes in a Senate bill could derail efforts — and their agreement — to overhaul the nation's health care system.

9 Oct 2009

Managed Care News and Research

First Edition: October 28, 2009

Not enough communication between drug companies and payers before Phase 3, says study

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

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

Study: Minimally invasive procedure reduces cost and complications compared to open surgery

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

Carroll Hospital Center implements Lawson core applications

Recent health policy studies and analyses

URAC Workers' Compensation Utilization Management Accreditation for Employers Occupational Health

Person-centered planning practices to promote organizational change and innovative service delivery

Medipattern to introduce its B-CAD-FOR-LIFE program at RSNA 2009

Unitedhealth announces third quarter results; reports growth in revenues and net earnings

States eye budget cuts and health reform

Consumer reports survey shows health plans get lukewarm response

Health plans efforts to improve health care access to patients facing language barrier recognized by NCQA

FirstCare Texas to provide Vermedx Diabetes Information System to health care providers and patients

President Obama to sign a healthcare reform package, according to members of Congress

Enroll NY website helps New York State's largest public and private health plans with valuable leads

RelayHealth networks 50 health systems and hospitals to facilitate health information exchange

Health industries: Changes could kill health reform bill

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