Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
On a plane yesterday I engaged in a brief conversation with a professional woman (accountant) working for ING Insurance about health care. An opinionated person, she was quick to tell me that employer-based health care was the only solution and … Continue reading The health care consumer/voter
Read More...Well, our officials in Washington have lost their minds. How else to explain the requirement by Medicare officials that the new Medicare Part D programs “”offer a surprisingly generous array of prescription drug choices”? Pharmaceutical firms are likely ecstatic about … Continue reading Part D Prescription – budget buster?
Read More...Legislation has been introduced in the US Senate that would prevent pharmaceutical companies from including the cost of advertising in calculating drug prices for governmental programs. Moreover, the legislation also requires that the HHS and Veterans Affairs Departments “negotiate reduced … Continue reading Federal government and pharma pricing
Read More...In a refreshing acknowledgement of reality, a top Federal official noted that “if there’s one thing that can bankrupt the country, it is health care. It is out of control.” US Comptroller David Walker made this statement while referring to … Continue reading Bush official states health care crisis could bankrupt the country
Read More...So-called “specialty hospitals“, facilities typically owned by for-profit firms and/or practicing physicians, have been the subject of much debate by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Now, it looks like CMS will continue their ban on new facilities … Continue reading Ambulatory Surgical Centers’ future
Read More...Gary Schwitzer has posted a quick item in his blog providing more detail about the financial benefits to physicians of “leasing” imaging services. For those who missed the article in the Wall Street Journal, Schwitzer’s blog has a link and … Continue reading More on cheating docs
Read More...More from the “group health” side of the Coventry call… In general, a very strong quarter for one of the mid-tier players in managed care. Loss ratios were down, medical trend slightly decreased, and efforts are underway to address some … Continue reading Coventry call
Read More...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...Two reports on so-called “specialty hospitals” were released yesterday in hearings on Capitol Hill. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) report calls for an extension of the ban on construction of new specialty hospitals. For those who have not been … Continue reading Ban on specialty hospitals may be extended
Read More...A new study indicates HMO enrollment in New England has declined over the past year. HealthLeaders-Interstudy (here’s hoping the new company gets a new name shortly)’s just-released New England Health Plan Analysis indicates that all states save New Hampshire experienced … Continue reading HMO enrollment drops in New England
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