Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Aetna and WellPoint are first national health plans to earn CORE Phase II certification

CAQH® announced today that Aetna and WellPoint, together serving over 50 million members, are the first national health plans to earn certification for electronically exchanging administrative data using the CAQH Committee on Operating Rules for Information Exchange® (CORE) Phase II rules.

29 Dec 2009

CoachRx: An interactive website for CIGNA’s customers

As former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D. once said, “Drugs don’t work in patients who don’t take them.” That’s why CIGNA is introducing CoachRx, an interactive Web site to help CIGNA Home Delivery Pharmacy customers identify their personal barriers to taking their medications, and then providing ways to help people stay on track with the medications they need.

28 Dec 2009

AMICAS enters into definitive merger agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Thoma Bravo

AMICAS, Inc., a leader in image and information management solutions, today announced that on December 24, 2009, it entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Thoma Bravo, LLC, in a transaction valued at approximately $217 million.

28 Dec 2009

ASR launches new line of 5-in-1 non contact thermometers

As part of its initiative to develop the intellectual property for new, unique health and safety products available for global distribution, American Scientific Resources, Inc. today announced the launch of a new line of affordable, revolutionary, 5-in-1 non-contact thermometers specifically designed to meet the needs of consumers and healthcare workers around the globe.

28 Dec 2009

CAPG lauds passage of federal health care reform legislation

“This is the most sweeping health reform legislation since the enactment of Medicare. It will provide an extraordinary opportunity to make a very real difference in the lives of millions of people. This comprehensive bill package addresses major areas in need of change, including expanding coverage to nearly all Americans, eliminating various unfair insurance practices, and beginning to transform our dysfunctional delivery system.”

28 Dec 2009

Community Health Systems' subsidiary enters into affiliation agreement with Rockwood Clinic

Community Health Systems, Inc. announced today that a subsidiary has entered into an affiliation agreement with Rockwood Clinic, P.S., a multi-specialty clinic with 32 locations across the Inland Northwest region of the State of Washington.

28 Dec 2009

AARP supports passage of healthcare reform

Before the sun was up in Idaho this morning, families across the state buckling under soaring health care costs received a glimmer of hope from Washington, D.C. With the Senate passage of critical health care reform legislation, AARP says the Idaho congressional delegation can play a key role in making the bill stronger.

28 Dec 2009

APHA supports passing of healthcare reform legislation

"Thanks to today's Senate vote, we are one step closer to bringing much needed reform to our nation's health system," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of the American Public Health Association.

28 Dec 2009

Masimo expands corporate headquarters

Masimo, the inventor of Pulse CO-Oximetry(TM) and Measure-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, today announced the expansion of its Irvine, California headquarters with the addition of an adjacent 32,000 sq. ft. building--the company's third building at its corporate campus. Expanding its corporate headquarters is a natural progression for Masimo, which continues to post double-digit growth increases.

28 Dec 2009

Blog underlines link between fitness and healthcare outcomes

The following blog post was published on December 24, 2009, by Shafeen Charania, author of the synthesis blog, winner of the 2008 Weblog award for best new blog, and Time.com's 25 best blogs of 2009.

28 Dec 2009

Medicare reimbursement for DXA tests restored

Passage of health care reform legislation today in the U.S. Senate will help provide older Americans with easier access to quality osteoporosis diagnosis, prevention and treatment services. Included in the Senate health reform bill is a provision restoring Medicare reimbursement for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the leading diagnostic tool for the early detection and management of osteoporosis.

27 Dec 2009

Children's Health Fund lauds Reid over release of the final Senate health care legislation

Irwin Redlener, MD, President and Co-founder of the Children's Health Fund, a national organization that advocates for and develops primary care programs for disadvantaged and medically underserved children, today released the following statement on release of the final Senate health care legislation by Majority Leader Harry Reid: "First and foremost, we applaud the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on producing this historic health reform bill which will provide millions of currently uninsured children access to comprehensive health insurance coverage.

24 Dec 2009

Glendale Chamber of Commerce honors Lakeside Medical Organization

Lakeside Medical Organization and CEO Dr. Richard Merkin have been honored by the Glendale Chamber of Commerce for significant community outreach.

24 Dec 2009

Health Partners receives NCQA Accreditation

Health Partners' Medical Assistance plan has once again received "Excellent" status, the highest level of Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the most recognized accrediting body in the United States for health plans.

24 Dec 2009

Calorie disclosure requirement in healthcare reform legislation ineffective and expensive, says VMI

A group representing some of the nation's most prominent vending companies today called on Congress to drop language that would require vending companies to disclose the caloric content of vended food and beverage products prior to the point of sale, Vend Marketing Institute (VMI) Executive Director Chris Stave announced today. The requirement is included in both the House and Senate versions of the healthcare reform legislation currently being debated in Congress, and would apply to any business which owns or operates 20 or more vending machines.

24 Dec 2009

Major hospitals adopt MedeAnalytics' PAI solution to improve patient experience

MedeAnalytics, a leading provider of healthcare performance management solutions, announced today that adoption of the company’s Patient Access Intelligence (PAI) solution by hospitals around the country has been robust since its introduction earlier this year and continues to grow, according to Mike Gallagher, chief executive officer of MedeAnalytics. Orlando Health, Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers in New York, University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare have adopted PAI, officially launched in 2009 at HFMA’s Fall Revenue Cycle Strategies Conference in Chicago.

24 Dec 2009

ACS awarded 2009 'Best in KLAS' ranking in national healthcare survey

Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., today announced that its healthcare provider consulting business has been awarded a 2009 “Best in KLAS” ranking in a prestigious national healthcare survey.

24 Dec 2009

Eclipsys acute care EMR retains its No. 2 ranking in KLAS awards

Eclipsys Corporation®, The Outcomes Company®, today announced that the company’s focus on delivering an enterprise portfolio of high-quality health information software solutions is reflected in the findings of the 2009 “Top 20 Best in KLAS Award: Software and Professional Services” report (2009 Top 20 Best in KLAS Awards report).

24 Dec 2009

QUITPLAN Services' quit-smoking campaign: Monkeys on people's backs

Quitting smoking is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions for many Minnesotans. As the holiday approaches, QUITPLAN Services, the free quit-smoking program provided through ClearWay Minnesota(SM), hopes to motivate them to make a fresh start with a new television ad launching just as most smokers resolve to quit. The new ad acknowledges that every individual experiences different triggers for smoking, and highlights the free, personalized help available through QUITPLAN Services. The ad debuts on Dec. 28.

24 Dec 2009

Philadelphia Insurance Companies to offer Chiropractor's Malpractice Insurance

Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) is pleased to announce it will begin offering Chiropractor's Malpractice Insurance in several states. Chiropractors may now obtain policies in Alabama, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota and Utah. Filing approval is anticipated for Mississippi, Ohio and Texas within the next 60 days with additional states to follow in 2010.

24 Dec 2009