Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
The good folks at CWCI just published a research report (The Cost and Utilization of Compound Drugs, Convenience Packs and Medical Foods in California WC) documenting the rise in spend on medical foods, repackaged drugs, and compound drugs from 2006 … Continue reading Medical foods and workers comp
Read More...Broadspire, one of the largest TPAs in the country, has announced a new network strategy which goes by the acronym BOLD, that is notable as much for what’s missing than what’s present. There’s no mention of Coventry in the list … Continue reading Broadspire’s the first
Read More...As presently conceived, health reform will fail. I’m talking not about the chances of a bill being signed into law but rather what happens when that happy day arrives. I say this with deep regret, as I am an ardent … Continue reading Health reform will fail
Read More...President Obama’s recent visit to Baltimore to speak with (as he said, “not to, but with”) the House Republican Conference was one of the best things to happen in politics in recent memory. Not that there’s a long list. During … Continue reading Obama and the Republicans on health care – the Baltimore dialogue
Read More...Paraphrasing Sen Ron Wyden (D OR) produces the most accurate soundbite description of the House’ health reform bill. Is this the best we can do? If the answer is yes, we’re in deeper trouble than even I thought. I’m really … Continue reading Big on health, light on reform
Read More...The use – and misuse – of technology in medicine is not only a major cost driver, it is also a major cause of unnecessary pain and suffering. Far too many carotid endarterectomies were performed in a misguided effort to … Continue reading Controlling technology, improving health, cutting cost – not as hard as you may think
Read More...The chances of meaningful healthcare reform look increasingly likely. Whether it will be reform we can afford is an entirely different question. We’ll be taking a look at the differences this time around, and today will begin with the role … Continue reading Health reform heats up, and the insurance industry is out in the cold
Read More...The short answer is – it got combined with other sorta-kinda related businesses and put under one boss – Dan Fishbein, MD, in the “New Product Businesses” unit. According to an Aetna Communications staffer; “AWCA is part of the New … Continue reading What happened to Aetna’s work comp division?
Read More...Last week the National Coalition on Benefits went public with their position on health reform – they don’t want any reduction in the role of employers. The NCB’s position was laid out in a letter to Sens. Ron Wyden (D … Continue reading Big employers and health reform – they’re kind of right, but for the wrong reasons
Read More...Because they can. Brand drug prices went up yet again last year, by over 7%. This on the heels of a similar price increase in 2006, which ‘coincidentally’ occurred after Part D went into effect and millions of seniors suddenly … Continue reading Why drug costs are going up.
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