Health Plan / Managed Care
Cleveland Clinic Creates Center for Personalized Health CareInnovative Center to Centralize Focus on Patient-Physician Collaboration
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Health Plans Now Available Through eHealthInsurance.comeHealth, Inc., the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses, announced that it is offering individual and family health insurance plans from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida through the company's primary retail website, http://www.ehealthinsurance.com.
Walgreens Take Care Health Systems, Intel Expand Relationship by Opening On-Site Medical CenterHealth for Life Center in Hillsboro, Ore. Offers Full Service Primary Care to 5,700 Employees
Hythiam Announces Catasys Contract with Coventry Health Care, Inc. Unit Hythiam to Receive Monthly Fees Per Enrolled Member under Multi-Year Services Agreement
UPMC Health Plan Introduces UPMC MyHealth Connect Provider Directory Is First Offering on New Mobile Application
Medica and Mayo Clinic Expand RelationshipMembers to Gain In-Network Access to Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Workplace Clinics a Sign of Growing Employer Interest in Wellness, But Cost-Saving is LimitedInterest in workplace clinics has intensified in recent years, with employers moving well beyond traditional niches of occupational health and minor acute care to offering clinics that provide a full range of wellness and primary care services, according to a study from the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).
Aetna Accountable Care Organizations Proving That Improved Quality, Lower Costs Are PossibleAetna is building on Medicare Advantage ACO model success
Medicare Enrollment: Survey Finds Majority of Seniors Do Not Plan to Review Their Coverage OptionsOnly one-in-five (22 percent) Medicare beneficiaries over the age of 65 plan to review their Medicare coverage options during Medicare's 2011 Annual Enrollment Period (11/15/2010 to 12/31/2010), according to a new survey(1) of Americans age 65 and over conducted in December 2010 by Opinion Research Corporation.
Physician Groups Join Forces to Improve CareVista Health System IPA (VISTA) and Central Jersey Physician Network IPA (CJPN) announced the formation of Optimus Healthcare Partners LLC, an Accountable Care Organization (ACO).
Live, Online Access to Minnesota Doctors Offers new Holiday Convenience Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota introduces Online Care Anywhere to all Minnesotans
All is not Fair in Health and Financing…but it can be.Wrestling the continually hulking health care cost gorilla has led to some elusive survival tactics by agile employers – massive cost shifting and benefit plan tweaks so deep into the minutia, employees need a GPS unit, microscope, and personal accountant to wend their way through their plan design
Highmark Inc. Chooses Verisk Health to Streamline Its Quality Measurement and Reporting Verisk Health’s HEDIS reporting suite completes NCQA certification and continues its long-standing position as a NCQA beta-testing solution
Majority of Employers to Keep Health Plans Rather than Encourage Employees to use State ExchangesEmployers appear poised to keep their employer-sponsored group medical plans intact rather than encouraging employees to use state health insurance exchanges when they become available in 2014, according to the "Health Care Reform Survey 2010" released by the Willis Human Capital Practice.
Consumer Driven Health Plans Surge as Employers Demand More For LessA DataPath Advertorial
Practical Tools, Timely Information Enable Thompson Machinery to Boost CDHP, Control CostIn 2003, Thompson Machinery, a Caterpillar equipment dealer for middle and western Tennessee and northern Mississippi, did what only a handful of innovative companies had done when it successfully implemented a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) for employees.
Guardian Introduces New Multi-Coverage Voluntary PlanNew Voluntary Option Enables Employers to Create Customizable Benefits Packages
The Future of American Health CareThis is not a post about predicting the future.
HealthPartners Launches Virtuwell.com in Wisconsin24/7 online clinic offers fast diagnosis, treatment and prescriptions for 30 simple conditions
Striking a Balance: How Employers Can Make the Best Decisions on Grandfathering Their Health PlanThe interim regulations on grandfathered plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) are designed to allow employers to keep their current plans intact and at the same time ensure that employees are protected from significant loss of benefits or increased costs.
Several Million Californians Lack Access to Job-Based Coverage Most working-age adults have little success securing other coverage, Center study finds
2011 Health Care Benefits Forecast: How Employers can Manage Rising CostsEmployee Benefit Expert Offers Cost-Cutting Tips to Business Owners, HR Professionals
Health Care and Dental in Health Reform Now that the new health care legislation is the law of the land, health care companies and businesses everywhere are scrambling to make sense of the thousands of pages that make up the bill. One major consideration for people to decipher is about dental care.
Health Care Reform: Consumer Pulse SurveyThe Deloitte Center for Health Solutions (DCHS), part of Deloitte LLP, conducted a survey of consumers Sept. 29 through Oct. 4, 2010, to assess their awareness and expectations about health reform, more than six months after the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law.
Many Important Health Insurance Choices Must Be Made Now in GeorgiaOpen Enrollment Season is in Full Swing and Employees are Making Their 2011 Health Plan Choices
EBRI: Public Opinion of New Health Care Reform Is Limited, Varies by Plan Type, Political PartyAlthough most people's knowledge of the new health care law is limited, their opinion on how it will affect their health care depends on what type of private health insurance plan they currently have and their political affiliation, according to a recent report issued by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).
Medco's 2011 National Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) Earns CMS 5-Star Quality and PerformanceMedco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) announced that its 2011 Medco Medicare Prescription Plan earned the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) highest overall quality and performance rating – 5 Stars – for its national Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).
CIGNA and Merck Help Customers Better Manage DiabetesModel Program Improves Health Outcomes and Reduces Overall Costs
Employers Build Plan Survival Strategies as They Assess the Financial Impacts of Health ReformWith sweeping health reform legislation complete, employers are considering critical questions about the financial future of their employer-sponsored medical plans.
Colorado Employers' Health Care Benefits Costs Trending Significantly Above National NormsThe Lockton Benefit Group in Denver announced the results of its tenth annual Colorado employer survey regarding health benefit costs and coverage.
Three Million Californians use Health Plans with High Out-of-Pocket CostsCosts may cause members to delay care, put families in financial jeopardy
Medagate and InComm Launch OTCNetworkThe First National OTC Benefits Disbursement & Redemption Network for Medicare Advantage Plan Members Provides Leading Medicare Advantage Plans, Health Plus Elite and Access Medicare, Leverage New OTCMedicare Prepaid Card to Reduce Member Health care Costs
Nation’s Largest Health Plan Survey Cites Significant Health Plan Cost Disparity Between StatesCreating Parity through a National Plan May be Difficult
Unique Consultancy for Health Care Provider Organizations Facing “Apex Decisions” in the Post-ReformHealth care is the largest and fastest growing U.S. business sector, with a $2.4 trillion annual spend representing more than 17 percent of national GDP.
A Nation of Health Reform ViolatorsBy Ronald E. Bachman FSA, MAAA, chairman CDHC Solutions editorial advisory board
Kaiser Permanente's ALL/PHASE Initiative Wins 2010 Care Continuum Alliance Quality Impact Award Program focuses on sharing low-cost protocols proven to reduce heart attacks
AT&T Selects WellDoc Mobile Health Solution for Management of Chronic Diseases AT&T and WellDoc
Implementing Parity: The Safe Harbor for Outpatient Benefits The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) posted the following compliance assistance on its website on July 1, 2010: Until the issuance of final regulations, the Agencies have determined that they will establish an enforcement safe harbor under which the Agencies will not take enforcement action against a plan or issuer that divides its benefits furnished on an outpatient basis into two sub-classifications for purposes of applying the financial requirement and treatment limitation rules under MHPAEA: (1) office visits, and (2) all other outpatient items and services.
Principal Jettisons Health Insurance Unit Principal Financial Group Inc. is getting out of the medical insurance and self-insured plan administration businesses, and it has arranged for UnitedHealth Group Inc. to handle renewals.
New Data: Millions of Americans With Alcohol & Drug Addiction Could Benefit From Health Care ReformProper Implementation Critical to Making Gains
Large Employers’ 2011 Health Plan Design Changes The National Business Group on Health conducted its annual plan design survey with members in the spring/summer of 2010. This survey is one of the few surveys conducted mid-year just as employers are finalizing their plan designs for the following year.
Guidance on Annual Limit Waivers ReleasedOn September 3, 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released guidance on how to apply for a waiver of the rules under the Affordable Care Act on restricted annual dollar limits, which are applicable for plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010
The New Health care Legislation – How Does It Impact Medical Delivery For You?According to President Obama, health reform will make health care more affordable, make health insurers more accountable, expand health coverage to all Americans, and make the health system sustainable, stabilizing family budgets, the Federal budget, and the economy.
CDHC and VBID: Clash of the Titans or a Powerful New Hybrid for Improved Health Care?Great opportunities might be missed as the CDHC and VBID movements tussle and trade barbs
Proskauer Delivers Answers to Critical Employer & Benefit Advisor Questions on Health Care ReformLatest Move To Publish Go-To Resource Authored By Firm’s DC Task Force Leaders Helps Managers Make Well-Informed, Strategic Decisions
Plan Changes Met Favorably by City EmployeesDuring these difficult economic times, governments are faced with making tough decisions on benefits coverage that affects their most valuable assets—employees
Participation High in Incentive ProgramThe city of Fort Smith, AR, under the guidance of Human Resources Director Richard Jones, M.A., strongly believes in a proactive approach to health care
Medical, Dental Tourism Entices EmployeesWhen Blue Lake employees require major surgery, their medical destination could be at a Companion Global Healthcare network facility outside of the United States. The company added a medical travel plan in 2008, followed by a dental travel plan the next year
Personal Touch Speeds Adoption of HDHPEach member of the human resources team at Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp., which operates under the Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes banners, is a superstar for their outstanding efforts to roll out a new high-deductible health plan
Benefits Team Lowers Financial StressAetna’s financial benefits team, headed by Carol Klusek, believes that employee wellness should encompass the fiscal as well as the physical
New Wellness Program Gets Employees Feeling Better About Health, BenefitsJust as Ardent Health Services employees make a difference in the lives of those they treat, the company is making a difference in its workers’ lives
Success Continues with Enhanced Benefits CoverageRobert Ihrie has helped Lowes create a comprehensive wellness program that fosters a culture of health and demonstrates real-life results for Lowe’s employees and bottom-line success for the company
CDHC Proves SuccessfulAlthough John Young has been a catalyst for making consumer-directed health care the fastest-growing employee benefit strategy in the mid-market segment, he deflects much of the credit onto key broker partners.
Navigating Health Care Reform for Employers and EmployeesDescription of some of the major changes that the Health Care Reform Law will bring into effect over the next eight years.
How Brokers Can Capitalize on Technology to Become a Trusted PartnerHow brokers can become more relevant in a time when HR Departments are looking for ways to cut costs
Agencies Release Regulations on Preventive Care under the Affordable Care ActOn July 19, 2010 the federal agencies responsible for implementing the Affordable Care Act published interim final regulations interpreting the Act's requirement that certain group health plans cover a specific list of preventive services with no cost sharing
Managing Retiree Health Care CostsThe continuously increasing cost of health care benefits has long challenged many organizations. However, several issues are now converging that make the ability to manage retiree health care costs both critically important and particularly daunting.
What Next? A Call for Real Reform of 'Health' and 'Care' Now that the long-debated health care bill has been passed and signed into law, we must turn our attention to addressing underlying problems of health and care in America.
Status Quo in Health Care Is Not an Option: PwC ReportHealth organizations face more than 60 major regulatory deadlines over the next 10 years to meet the timetable and goals of health reform
Benefitfocus Acquires Benefit Informatics, Inc. to Provide Analytics and Plan Modeling“All Your Benefits. One Place.™” meets “All Your Data. One Place.”
Disparities Remain a Challenge in Health Care Says American College of PhysiciansShared Decision Making: Empowering Patients Health Dialog’s Dr. David Wennberg Champions Informed Patient Choice
Guardian Launches Online Employee Benefits Resource Center New Guardian Website Provides Tools and Information to Help Employers & Brokers Strategize About Employee Benefits. Resources Also Available for Employees to Help Simplify Decisions about Workplace Benefits
R.E. Moulton Launches Unlimited Specific Coverage Reimbursement OptionConnectYourCare Enhances CDH Participant PortalConnectYourCare Enhances CDH Participant Portal with WebMD Health Management Resources and Engagement Services: Innovative Pairing of Consumer-Directed Healthcare Account Information with Health Management Services to Drive Healthcare Consumerism & Better Health Outcomes
Latest Agency Regulations Address the Affordable Care Act’s Rules for Group Health PlansThe Benefits of Digging DeeperUsing Data Mining to Improve Employee Health and Reduce Employer Costs
HM Insurance Group Offers Unlimited Lifetime Maximums For Stop LosThomson Reuters Report Focuses on Capping U.S. Health Care Expenditures, Cutting Costs Report Focus on shifting from a culture of "Sick Care" to true "Health Care"
Health Care Reform: Grandfathered Health Plan RegulationsBy Susan M. Nash, Amy M. Gordon, Jamie A. Weyeneth and Elizabeth A. Savard, McDermott Will & Emery, LLP
Trustmark Offers a Full Range of Critical Illness Insurance Benefits for Spouse and DependentsHealth Incentives Accomplish More: Immediate, Intermediate, Long-term Methods of Incentives ProgramsBy Michael G. Dermer President and CEO, IncentOne
Employees Don't See What They Are Missing Without Vision BenefitsBy Wendy Marshall Assistant Vice President, Corporate Benefits Medstar Health Inc.
COBRA Continues to ChangeBy John Jenkins, President and CEO, Benaissance
Dental Health Linked to Overall HealthBy David Guarrera, DDS
Vice President
MetLife Dental Product Management
Guardian Widens Availability of Critical Illness PlansRecent Enhancements Make The Plan Accessible For More Employers And Employees
Prescription Drug Data Key to Lowering Health CostsThere's a cure for high health costs--and you might say that it comes in pill form
Service Experience More Important than Cost to Overall Employer Satisfaction with Health CarriersEven as health care insurance premiums continue to skyrocket, the service experience has more impact than cost management on overall employer satisfaction with their primary health insurance carrier, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Employer Health Insurance Plan StudySM released June 29.
Medical and Vision Go Together Just Like PB&JNew WellPoint Survey asks Americans about Pairings that Enhance and Simplify their Lives
An Innovative Solution to Rising Healthcare CostsBy Mark S. Gauyna, Principal, Borislow Insurance
Survey Shows Most U.S. Workers Will Continue to Rely On Employer Provided Health BenefitsFive Key Insights Reveal How Employees and Their Dependents View Health Care
Aetna's Quarterly Earnings Exceed ExpectationsHealth insurer Aetna Inc. on July 17 said its second-quarter operating earnings would exceed the current analysts' average forecast of 68 cents per share.
McKesson Launches Personalized Population Health ServiceNew service draws data from multiple sources for personalized care, communications
Reducing Health Care Costs While Improving Employee Well Being By: N. Stephen Ober, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President at Verisk Health
Firms Shift More Health Care Costs to EmployeesBy Jerry Geisel
Care Coaching Shown to Improve Patient Outcomes Health plans with members suffering from both physical and behavioral health conditions can reduce their medical expenses
CVS Caremark Announces Plan To Remove Walgreens From PBM Pharmacy NetworkCVS Caremark Corporation announced June 9 that it will terminate Walgreens' participation in its retail pharmacy networks effective 30 days from today, or as otherwise may be required by applicable law or contract requirements
Disability Insurance Services and Custom Benefit Plans Announce New RelationshipDisability Insurance Services and Custom Benefit Plans have entered into a new strategic relationship to aggressively promote disability insurance.
New Ingenix TrendView Helps Employers Manage Medical CostsEmployers face intense pressure to control their medical costs while offering competitive health benefits that will attract and retain the best talent
BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD LAUNCHES ONLINE CARE AS A CORNERSTONE FOR HEALTHCARE REFORMBLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF WESTERN NEW YORK/BLUESHIELD OF NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK LAUNCH ONLINE CARE AS A CORNERSTONE FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM: On-Demand Health Care Services Arrive In New York State Following Rapid 90-Day Deployment
Milliman Indicates Health Care Costs Increase $1,303 in 2010 for Family of Four Milliman Inc., the global consulting and actuarial firm, announced that average total medical spending for its "typical American family of four" reached $18,074
Reform Changes Lead Employers to Rethink Retiree Prescription BenefitsBig changes may be ahead with the impending changes to the Retiree Drug Subsidy
Survey Shows Gains in CDHPs, Cost-Shifting, Emphasis On WellnessMcGraw Wentworth released the results of its 2010 Southeast Michigan Mid-Market Group Benefits Survey
National Health Options Creates First Private National Healthcare Assistance Program for Employers, New “retail” coverage option includes free pharmacy discount car.
Lighthouse1 Partners with TSYS HealthcareLighthouse1 announced a partnership with TSYS Healthcare to provide an integrated end-to-end healthcare payment solution.
Ceridian Web Forum to Help Employers Sharpen Health Benefits StrategiesMinneapolis, May 19, 2010 - Ceridian Corporation, a leading provider of managed human resource, employee benefits administration, tax filing and payroll outsourcing solutions, announced today it will present a free educational Web forum to help employers better use their health benefits to control future health costs and compliance risks, improve productivity and drive growth.
Engaging Employees Vital to Health Care StrategyTalk Not Cheap at IntelYear-Round, Frank Discussions About Health Plans Spur Increased Use of Consumer Plans
HHS Cracks the Door on the Retiree Reinsurance Money GrabThe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued the first in what promises to be a decades-long series of regulations and other guidance on the new health reform law. The new guidance concerns the temporary $5 billion retiree healthcare reinsurance fund authorized by the health reform legislation.