Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda

Nov
30

The work comp rumor mill

There’s been a lot of news, non-news, and rumor about deals and transactions and changes in the work comp managed care industry floating around out there. As usual, for some of the rumors there’s a little basis in fact and none at all for others. Here’s a compendium of the more solid stuff.

Continue reading The work comp rumor mill


Nov
27

What insurance people are really like

Non-insurance folks, especially those who aren’t happy with their insurance for whatever reason, or those seeking to write best-selling books (John Grisham, for one), use some pretty strong adjectives describing the heartless penny-pinching mean-spirited folk who are “the insurance company”.
While I don’t doubt that a few individuals and insurance companies really are cold-hearted emotionless drones, I’ve met very few that fit that description.
This was brought to mind recently while listening in on a meeting at an insurance company.

Continue reading What insurance people are really like


Nov
20

Steve Cavanaugh’s passing

Steve Cavanaugh, former, and highly-respected head of the Louisiana Workers Comp Corp, passed away last week.
While I only know Mr. Cavanaugh by reputation, by all accounts he was an insightful, innovative, and effective leader. After leaving the LWCC, Cavanaugh had begun working to build a new insurance carrier in Texas. He succumbed to pancreatic cancer last week at the age of 55.
Thanks to Workers Comp Executive for the notice.


Nov
20

First Health’s new WC president

First Health has a leader for the workers comp business. After a search lasting almost two years, Coventry found the new leader right inside the parent company.
Jim McGarry will be the new President of the Workers Comp division, effectiv 11/17/06. His COO will be Steve Rodriguez, ex-SVP and head claims exec at CNA. McGarry, who is located in Irving Texas, is reporting to CEO and Chairman Dale Wolf.
More details to follow…


Nov
17

Wal-mart’s rapidly growing $4 plan

Wal-mart’s $4 generic program is growing – more stores, more states, and more scripts are now covered. The latest information has the giant retailer’s cheap program operating in over 3000 in-store pharmacies in 32 states. And, the list of drugs has expanded to include 331 prescriptions.
I’ve received some flak from readers who seem to object to my past posts questioning why Wal-mart is doing this.

Continue reading Wal-mart’s rapidly growing $4 plan


Nov
16

Noe’s new home

I just can’t stop myself.
The Ohio Bureau of Workers Comp scandal is so big, so juicy, so full of great stories and bizarre twists and turns and corruption and lying and deceit and, well, we could be talking mini-series here!
The latest news is Tommy Noe, coin dealer, real estate developer, and scam artist extraordinaire, will not be needing either of his waterfront homes, at least not for ten years. Tommy may have thought he would be living in luxury courtesy of the state; while he will be living off the taxpayers, the accomodations will be somewhat more spartan.
It could have been worse; they could have re-opened Alcatraz for him and his co-conspirators…


Joe Paduda is the principal of Health Strategy Associates

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A national consulting firm specializing in managed care for workers’ compensation, group health and auto, and health care cost containment. We serve insurers, employers and health care providers.

 

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