Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
A few weeks ago I wrote about the big profits hospitals get from workers comp, and closed with the observation that comp payers are overpaying hospitals. The question is why? Glad you asked. Since OUCH (predecessor organization to First Health, … Continue reading Comp networks and hospital costs
Read More...I think I’ve figured out why analysts have been unable to accurately forecast health plan financials – they don’t know what questions to ask. That’s the only conclusion I can draw after listening to the latest earnings call from Coventry … Continue reading Coventry earnings call – the analysts blew it
Read More...It is Friday the 13th. That legendary day of mythical fears, the bane of the superstitious, the day of bad luck and portentous omens. A fitting day indeed to tell an all-too-real horror story. We’ll begin with the dry, dull, … Continue reading It’s time to regain control
Read More...Friend and colleague Peter Rousmaniere recently attended the NCCI conference and was kind enough to provide a comprehensive report. Here it is, and thank Peter when you see him.
Read More...I had a chance to spend more time with the Medcor folks this morning at RIMS, and liked what I saw. They’ve been doing the combo first report of injury (or most of it)/nurse triage/network direction work for ten years … Continue reading Medcor’s value
Read More...The periphery of the trade show floor at RIMS is where you’ll find innovators – new companies, with new ideas and concepts, new solutions to old problems, all described by their owners, founders, and top execs. To give credit where … Continue reading Where innovation can be found
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.
Read More...The private equity and venture capital folks have been prowling around the WC managed care world for a couple of years now, looking for opportunities to invest their hard-solicited cash. Firms have invested in PBMs (MSC and Cypress Care), bill … Continue reading So, you want to invest in workers comp managed care?
Read More...The US is either in a recession or about to be. What does that mean for workers’ comp? Broadly speaking, there are no studies that indicate WC costs decline as a result of recessions; in general costs tend to increase. … Continue reading What does the recession mean for workers comp?
Read More...I have long assumed individuals working at employers that do not offer health insurance are more likely to file workers comp claims. With the number of employers offering health insurance declining, a logical corollary is more claims will be filed. … Continue reading The correlation between health insurance and work comp claims
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