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Drug sellers, benefit managers poise for court-ordered price cuts

"A forthcoming rollback of benchmark drug prices -- a court-approved move meant to benefit consumers -- should have little effect on the bottom line for pharmacy-benefit managers or their clients, as companies have taken protective steps," the Wall Street Journal reports. Pharmacies, however, worry the 4 percent reduction in benchmark prices could result in Medicaid reductions. Benefit managers initially opposed the cut, but say they have adjusted contracts to make up for it.

21 Sep 2009

Doctors discuss defensive medicine and primary care pay

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21 Sep 2009

Speech on health care opportunities

The Unrealized Opportunity in Health Care,” a speech by Harvard Professor David Cutler. He was senior health care advisor to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and a member of President Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisers.

19 Sep 2009

Health experts to discuss innovative breakthroughs to solve health issues in poor communities

New ideas, systems and technologies are emerging to solve numerous health challenges facing the world’s poorest communities. Some of the foremost experts on global health will discuss these and the prospects for health breakthroughs in the developing world at a media briefing at the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Symposium at 2:30 pm on Monday, September 21.

19 Sep 2009

Mark Farrah develops new database tool for comparative analysis of Medicare Advantage and PDP benefit packages

In a recent customer update, Mark Farrah Associates confirmed that Medicare Advantage membership continues to climb, prior to the 2010 open enrollment season.

19 Sep 2009

Survey reveals that patients face problems with mail order pharmacies

Many patients go without their prescribed medicine due to the slow or ineffective service of mail order pharmacies, according to a survey of just over 400 patients conducted by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). The findings both raise troubling questions about the impact mail-order programs have on patients and contradict two purported benefits of mail order: increased convenience and lower costs.

19 Sep 2009

Sight for Life Foundation offers free vision care

The CIGNA (NYSE:CI) Foundation today named Dr. Eva Liang, an ophthalmologist with the Cigna Medical Group in Phoenix, as the company’s Volunteer of the Year. Dr. Liang founded the Sight for Life Foundation in 2001 while in private practice in Las Vegas.

19 Sep 2009

ITI seeks qualified residency sites for STAIR Scholarship Program

Integrative Therapeutics, Inc (ITI®), in collaboration with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), is seeking qualified residency sites for the fourth year of the ITI & AANP STAIRSM Residency Scholarship Program.

19 Sep 2009

AMR finds 75 percent of hetastarch recipients underwent surgical procedures

Arlington Medical Resources (AMR), a provider of premier market intelligence for the pharmaceutical and diagnostic imaging industries, finds that for the January - May 2009 time period, a significantly higher percentage of hetastarch recipients (75%) underwent a surgical procedure when compared to those receiving albumin/plasma protein fraction (51%).

19 Sep 2009

Survey outlines recession impact on nurse faculty shortage

New data collected by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) show that the downturn in the economy may be impacting the nurse faculty shortage by lowering the national vacancy rate.

19 Sep 2009

My Insurance Expert in support of the AIDS Walk Detroit 2009

My Insurance Expert, one of the nation leading online services to compare and secure affordable health insurance, is supporting AIDS Walk Detroit 2009 with a corporate donation and encouraging employees and friends to participate in the annual fund-raiser.

19 Sep 2009

USAA - LTCFP's seminar highlights the critical need for long-term care insurance

This month USAA and LTCFP are presenting a free 45-minute seminar that highlights the critical need for long-term care insurance and presents the various public and private financing options that are available. It will be held at multiple times in 4 Ohio cities. The general public, including military personnel, are invited to attend.

18 Sep 2009

First edition: September 18, 2009

Today's coverage shows that all sides of the health overhaul debate are breaking down the specifics of the Baucus reform bill and developing their strategies and plans for next steps.

18 Sep 2009

"Our request for information gets denied by Governor's office": AWF Executive Director Brian Johnson

Last week, the Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF) called on Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson (D) to release financial documents and correspondence surrounding his Departments using taxpayer money and state resources to collect healthcare provider names and addresses for the Service Employee International Union (SEIU).

18 Sep 2009

Cejka Search offers presenters and support for various upcoming forums

Cejka Search, a national physician and healthcare executive search firm, has been instrumental in providing expert presenters and support for recent and upcoming forums this fall. These include those hosted by: Association for Staff Physician Recruiters (ASPR); Southwind Health Partners LLC; Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC); Medical Group Management Association (MGMA); HealthLeaders Media; and the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE).

18 Sep 2009

Whole life insurance policies to the rescue of retirees

Nearly 45 percent of households are "at risk" of not having enough to maintain their living standards in retirement, according to the National Retirement Risk Index, a special project of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.

18 Sep 2009

EBSA retiree health plan to cover about 700,000 retirees and dependents

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced a proposed exemption that, if granted, would allow the General Motors Co. (GM) to transfer company securities including common stock, preferred stock and a $2.5 billion promissory note, to a health plan established for the company's retirees.

18 Sep 2009

Scientific discoveries must be translated into practical applications to improve patients' health

Experts gathered on Capitol Hill today to address the impact of policies related to translational research and U.S. medical innovation. The briefing, titled Translational Research: From Bench to Bedside, was sponsored by the Council for American Medical Innovation as the second in a three-part series, Recovery Through Discovery, which examines medical innovation as a driver of U.S. economic recovery and enhanced global leadership in science.

18 Sep 2009

Analysis project inflation rates for healthcare supplies to remain unchanged through 2010

Inflation rates for healthcare supplies are projected to remain unchanged through 2010, according to an analysis released by the Premier healthcare alliance.

18 Sep 2009

Rural/Metro Corporation chosen to provide emergency ambulance services in Ohio

Rural/Metro Corporation, a leading national provider of ambulance and private fire protection services, has been awarded a new long-term contract to continue providing exclusive emergency ambulance services to the City of Youngstown, Ohio.

18 Sep 2009