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Preventive care, or a waste of time for docs and patients? Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 9:05PMMedicare officials say some doctors misunderstand the value of the screening tool.
The Not-OK Corral: LRA and Health Insurance Showdowns On the Horizon Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 6:50PMMOUNT CARROLL – During this month’s State’s Attorney and Finance Committee Meeting, the language was tough when it came to the county’s future relationship with the LRA (Local Redevelopment Authority), which has been the subject of increased discussion lately given the fast approaching sunset of that organization and the turning over of the rest of the Savanna Depot by the U.S. Army in 2014 ...
Somerville mayor seeks $7M savings with health insurance changes Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 2:37PMSomerville employees are closer than ever to entering the Group Insurance Commission, creating a windfall of savings that has been described as a silver bullet for the city’s budget woes. Though Somerville was spared a giant increase in the fiscal year 2011 budget, health insurance costs have been a perennial budget buster in the city. Joining the GIC could change all that.
Second opinions on preventative care strategies Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 12:36PMMINNEAPOLIS — Dr. Patricia Lindholm thought it was a great idea this year when Medicare announced it would cover free annual wellness visits for older people. “OK, finally we’re getting Medicare to cover preventive medicine, catch problems while they’re smaller and more treatable,” the Fergus Falls, Minn., family physician said.
Our View: Blue Shield helps autism sufferers Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 4:05AMThe tragic costs of autism are borne by us all in one way or another, but parents carry a heavier bu
State Senate to weigh in on health care dispute Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 11:19PMThe chair of the state Senate Banking and Insurance Committee plans to schedule hearings on the Highmark and UPMC contract impasse to determine "what, if any, regulatory role Pennsylvania has over the battling parties." State Sen. Don White, R-Indiana, announced the plans Monday, the same day state Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield, announced that she was calling for the same.
Court gives preliminary OK to WellPoint settlement Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 6:04PMA California court has granted preliminary approval to a lawsuit settlement over an online security breach of health insurer WellPoint Inc.'s records. AD: Helping the first responders respond 25% faster in the City of Madrid. Helping the first responders respond 25% faster in the City of Madrid. To put emergency responders on the scene as quickly as possible, you need more than fast cars and ...
Health Care Costs: Lack of Use Means Profit for Insurers Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 5:11PM Health care costs are causing Americans with health insurance to act more like people who don't by skipping appointments or suffering chronic problems longer, a recent survey found. The survey by Deloitte Center for Health Solutions conducted in June indicated a quarter of the respondents opted not to see a physician because of economic uncertainty and higher out-of-pocket costs, the ...
Health-insurance change, savings on agenda for Muskegon County committee Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 3:22PMMUSKEGON COUNTY — Muskegon County commissioners will consider Tuesday a change in health-insurance carriers that officials say would save the county millions of dollars over the next three years.
Lack of use means profit for insurers Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 1:56PMWASHINGTON, July 18 (UPI) -- Americans with health insurance are acting more like people who don't by skipping appointments or suffering chronic problems longer, a recent survey found.
Research and Markets: Minnesota Health Market Review 2011 Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 11:54AMDUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2456ce/minnesota_health_m) has announced the addition of the "Minnesota Health Market Review 2011" report to their offering. Minnesota HMOs and health insurers had their most profitable year ever in 2010, with strong margins on Medicaid as well as employer group business ...
More insurers covering use of Uroplasty device Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 10:19AMUroplasty Inc. said Monday two additional private insurance plans will now cover its nerve stimulation device system to treat symptoms of overactive bladder.
Hoveround Launches New Mission Critical Website on the iAPPS Product Suite Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 7:00AMWOBURN, Mass. -- Bridgeline Digital, Inc. , a developer of award-winning web experience management software and interactive technology solutions, announced today it has launched the redesigned website for the Hoveround Corporation , the largest direct-to-consumer power wheelchair manufacturer in the United States.
Two Additional Private Payers Provide Coverage for Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Delivered Using the Uroplasty ... Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 5:30AMUroplasty, Inc. , a medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets innovative proprietary products to treat voiding dysfunctions, today announced that two additional private insurance payers will cover Â posterior tibial nerve stimulation using its Urgent PC Neuromodulation System for the treatment of overactive bladder and associated symptoms. Â Effective August 1, 2011, Health ...
Patient-centered care found to reduce medical costs Sunday, July 17, 2011 @ 11:49PMWhen patients play a more active role in their health, costly and unnecessary tests can be eliminated, a study says.
Big shifts lie ahead for N.J. Medicaid Sunday, July 17, 2011 @ 1:16AMElderly and disabled Medicaid patients and the people who care for them are facing some of the biggest changes in the history of the government insurance program as a result of the new state budget.
Insured, but not getting treatment Saturday, July 16, 2011 @ 9:45PMInsurers see profits jump as patients delay care.
Hires and Promotions (July 16, 2011) Saturday, July 16, 2011 @ 12:17AMMicrosoft's Fargo campus hires five Microsoft in Fargo has hired Chris Mapes as a technical account manager, T.J. Buboltz as a technical account manager and Eric Spooner as a partner technical lead, Kayla Schilling as a senior support engineer and Craig Rennich as a senior support escalation engineer for CSS.
Highmark-UPMC battle could save Erie members money Friday, July 15, 2011 @ 11:12PMYou can hear the smile in Ralph Pontillo's voice as he talks about the rift between Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
EDITORIAL: Some relief for families raising autistic children Friday, July 15, 2011 @ 6:16PMThe tragic costs of autism are borne by us all in one way or another, but parents carry a heavier bu
Deerfield and Lincolnshire calendar - July 15 Friday, July 15, 2011 @ 5:11PMDeadline for items for the Community Calendar is noon Wednesday two weeks before desired publication date. Send information on fund-raisers, clubs, lectures, community events, reunions and support groups to Community Calendar, Pioneer Press, 3701 W. Lake Ave., Glenview IL 60026; fax it to (847) 486-7495; or e-mail it to jmolitor@pioneerlocal.com. There is no charge for ...
2 Calif. insurers to cover therapy for autistic children Friday, July 15, 2011 @ 2:34PMTwo of California's largest health insurers have agreed to pay for costly behavioral therapy for thousands of autistic children - services the companies have long resisted covering.
Honoring Their Service: How The American Legion Reaches Out to Military Families Friday, July 15, 2011 @ 1:09PMWASHINGTON, July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Last November, in a Massachusetts town along the Vermont border, a young mother who had just given birth to her second child was turned out on the streets by her parents. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110715/DC36019 ) The woman's husband was a soldier serving in Afghanistan, and her parents did not ...
News in brief Friday, July 15, 2011 @ 12:13PMFarr to hold town hall meeting HOLLISTER - Congressman Sam Farr will host a town hall meeting in Hollister, July 18, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the San Benito County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 481 Fourth St. The purpose of the town hall it to update constituents on his work in Washington, DC and to hear about issues affecting communities in his district.
Half of all area births Medicaid funded Friday, July 15, 2011 @ 12:04PMOTSEGO COUNTY — More than one in two babies in Northern Michigan were born to mothers on Medicaid, according to a 2011 report by the Michigan League for Human Services.
Anthem, Blue Shield to cover therapy for autistic children Friday, July 15, 2011 @ 8:58AMPressured by state regulators, the health insurers agree to pick up the initial cost of a treatment known as applied behavior analysis. Two of California's largest health insurers have agreed to pay for costly behavioral therapy for thousands of autistic children — services the companies have long resisted covering.
Health care players decry cuts pitched in Washington Friday, July 15, 2011 @ 7:30AMMore than 50 state health care workers, executives, union activists, and lobbyists gathered on Beacon Hill yesterday to protest anticipated federal funding cuts they say would squeeze the state budget and devastate a business sector key to the Massachusetts economy.
CVS Caremark adds Access' MuGard to pharmacy benefit network Friday, July 15, 2011 @ 12:30AMACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary drug-delivery platforms to develop treatments in areas of oncology, cancer supportive care and diabetes, announced that its lead product for oral mucositis, MuGard, has been added to CVS Caremark's pharmacy benefit network.
State roundup: Model insurance brings 'modest' savings Friday, July 15, 2011 @ 12:16AMBlue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' alternative quality contract, which Governor Deval Patrick has held up as a potential model for controlling health care costs, produced "modest" savings in its first year while yielding improved quality of care in some areas, according to a new study in this week's New England Journal of Medicine.
Editorial: Relief for families raising autistic kids Thursday, July 14, 2011 @ 10:11PMThe tragic costs of autism are borne by us all in one way or another, but especially by their parents.
Federal Judge in Detroit Declares Case Against Blue Cross, Over its Denial of ABA Therapy for Children with Autism ... Thursday, July 14, 2011 @ 9:08PMDETROIT, July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a case brought by families having a child with autism spectrum disorder against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III, today entered an Order granting Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification. The families filed suit against Blue Cross over its policy of denying applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to children with autism ...
Happenings Wednesday, July 13, 2011 @ 2:15AMWEDNESDAY, JULY 13
Flagler County officials tout wellness incentives Wednesday, July 13, 2011 @ 12:39AMFlagler County employees won't be asked to contribute anything more for medical insurance this year and may benefit if they participate in wellness programs designed, ultimately, to improve the overall health of employees while reducing the county's health-care costs.
Making Good: Your Treasure Valley business community: accomplishments and promotions. Tuesday, July 12, 2011 @ 10:47PMVicki Stieha has been appointed director of the Foundational Studies Program at Boise State University. Stieha is interim director of general education at Northern Kentucky University. She will join Boise State in August.
Capital BlueCross Receives Inaugural National Award for Developing Oncology Case Management Program Tuesday, July 12, 2011 @ 1:07PMCapital BlueCross recently received an inaugural national award for its new Oncology Case Management Program. Presented by the Case Management Society of America , the Case Management Practice Improvement Award honors an organization that demonstrates innovation in the advancement of case management practice and/or improved client outcomes.
A.M. Best Upgrades Issuer Credit Rating of South Dakota State Medical Holding Company, Inc. Tuesday, July 12, 2011 @ 10:28AMOLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “bb+” from “bb” and affirmed the financial strength rating of B (Fair) of South Dakota State Medical Holding Company, Inc. d/b/a DAKOTACARE (DAKOTACARE) (Sioux Falls, SD). The outlook for both ratings has been revised to positive from stable. The ICR upgrade and revised outlook reflects the significant ...
Some Dentists Reluctant to Treat Kids on Medicaid: Study Monday, July 11, 2011 @ 4:30PMMONDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- Undercover research in Illinois reveals that dentists are far more willing to provide emergency care to children with private insurance than to kids with public insurance such as Medicaid.
Excellus Requests Rate Changes Monday, July 11, 2011 @ 12:59PMSome community rated plans will see increases if the state signs off on the rate change request.
New health claims fee might impact consumers Monday, July 11, 2011 @ 8:17AM• The 1 percent fee would apply to about $37.5 billion of the $81.1 billion in annual health care expenditures in Michigan.
Global payment alone won't solve Massachusetts' health market woes, report says Sunday, July 10, 2011 @ 11:38PMThe state attorney general finds that consumers don't have enough information or incentives to choose high-quality physicians and hospitals.
FROM THE CHAMBER: WOW! Sunday, July 10, 2011 @ 1:10AMThere are some pretty impressive facts about women on the job or as we call them, Women of the World.
Walking away with a smile Saturday, July 9, 2011 @ 11:00PMHundreds of people were served during Friday’s round of the two-day free dental clinic sponsored by the North Carolina Dental Society through its Missions of Mercy program
Consumers likely to feel health claims fee effect Saturday, July 9, 2011 @ 3:27PMMichigan residents with health insurance could get hit this fall with a premium increase tied to a new assessment on health insurance claims.
Police Log July 7 Saturday, July 9, 2011 @ 12:51AMAbington Disorderly conduct … Francis X. McCaughey, 33, of Penn Avenue, Ardsley, was charged with disorderly conduct June 30 at 4:56 p.m., police said. Police found a small amount of marijuana in McCaughey’s possession at a car stop, according to police.
Around Your Town: 07/09/11 Friday, July 8, 2011 @ 11:40PMSpencer G. Kerr, 11, helps with the Boy Scouts of America Troop 445 service project at the Sierra Vista United Methodist Church on Friday. The troop stayed for one week at the church and is returning a favor. (Beatrice Richardson • Herald/Review) Friends of Rick and Jona Schlosser are hosting a potluck benefit on their behalf from noon until 5 p.m. today at the Fireside Lounge, 2092 N. Highway ...
Categories Friday, July 8, 2011 @ 11:19PMAn obsessive compulsive disorder support group meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays (except holidays) in Conference Room B in St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing, 2209 Genesee St., Utica. For information...
Tentative Agreement Reached With HealthNow New York, Inc., (dba Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Western New York) Friday, July 8, 2011 @ 2:56PM390 Employees to Return to Work - Subcontracting Issue Resolved BUFFALO, N.Y., July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, Local 212 in Buffalo, New York and HealthNow New York, Inc., dba Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Western New York (BCBS of WNY), have reached a tentative three-year agreement. The agreement ends a lengthy lockout ...
Tentative Agreement Reached At HealthNow Friday, July 8, 2011 @ 11:42AMHealthNow, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Local 212 of the OPEIU union issued releases that a tentative agreement has been reached for unionized workers.
Saginaw physicians utilize e-prescriptions to increase patient safety, convenience Friday, July 8, 2011 @ 9:24AMTo refill a patient’s medication, Dr. Lekha Richardson sat at her computer and clicked a few times. That was all.
Dispatches Thursday, July 7, 2011 @ 11:19PMThe town's Democratic Committee nominated Kim Monaghan-Derrig on Thursday night as its candidate in a special election next month to fill a vacancy in Maine House District 121.