Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
The single most valuable governmental agency is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. AHRQ’s latest published research is the report on health care quality in all 50 states and DC. Measurements of over 100 indicators in 14 areas, the … Continue reading Rankings of state health care quality
Read More...Concentra (CISI) announced today that it has received a subpoena from the New York State Attorney General requesting “documents and information regarding CISI’s relationships with third party administrators and health care providers in connection with the NYAG’s review of contractual … Continue reading Concentra receives subpoena
Read More...Over the last year or so, there has been quite a bit of speculation, especially in the workers comp arena, about First Health’s future. Consulting clients in particular were unsure of the future direction of the company, as it seemed … Continue reading What happened to First Health?
Read More...Weiss Ratings (yes, I’m a big fan) released an analysis of recent changes to employees’ health plans, and there is a notable lack of innovation. According to Weiss, “Higher prescription drug co-pays were cited by 34.3 percent of consumers polled, … Continue reading Innovation in cost control?
Read More...Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry introduced a Workers Com reform program that calls for significant changes in the state’s workers’ comp laws. Interestingly, the governor linked the WC reform to his efforts to reduce uninsurance in the state. According to the … Continue reading Oklahoma WC initiative
Read More...Bob Laszewski of Health Policy and Strategy Associates (no affiliation with HSA) notes that CMS’ latest health care cost report includes the following: “in 2002, the percentage of health insurance premiums spent on profit and admin expense was 12.8%; in … Continue reading Private insurer profits
Read More...The Agency for Healthcare Reseach and Quality (AHRQ), recently published a study examining hospital admission patterns. The study indicates that a significant percentage of admits could have been eliminated if the patient had received appropriate care earlier. It will be … Continue reading Avoidable hospital admissions
Read More...Health care cost increases, which appeared to be moderating last year, appear to be stepping on the accelerator again. The Center for Studying Health System Change’s recent analysis indicates that health care costs continue to grow much faster than either … Continue reading Health care costs back on the rise…
Read More...The ongoing investigations into broker and insurer malfeasance continue to send shockwaves throughout the insurance industry. And, these investigations are causing those doing business outside the “broker-insurer-underwriter” world to revisit what have been long-established “ways of doing business.” While Mr. … Continue reading Sham bids and contingent commissions aren’t the only questionable practices
Read More...The Workers’ Compensation Research Institute is one of the leading research organizations focused on WC. Their annual conference in Cambridge MA just concluded, and once again WCRI produced some interesting and thought-provoking studies. This year’s conference used a slightly different … Continue reading WCRI Annual Conference
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