Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
Two timely topics are in the news; the likelihood of cuts in the additional payments for Medicare Advantage programs and reductions in Medicare reimbursement rates for physicians. The juxtaposition is just too…obvious to pass without comment.
Read More...A study just released by the Commonwealth Fund supports my contention that in comparison to the other health care reform measures now in Congress, Pres. Bush’s health care reform plan would have minimal impact on health care costs and the … Continue reading Bush v Wyden v. Americare
Read More...The Bush health care reform (his words, not mine) package was supposed to be revenue neutral. Then, it was going to result in an increase in Federal tax revenue of half a trillion dollars over ten years. Now, it looks … Continue reading Taxes and health care reform
Read More...Actions, or lack thereof, speak louder than State of the Union addresses. From California HealthLine comes the news that the Administration has failed to comply with its legal obligation to respond to the Citizen’s Health Care Working Group.
Read More...It looks like NY Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) has done in two months what his predecessor couldn’t do in two terms – reform the New York workers comp system. If early reports bear out, this will be a huge win … Continue reading New York’s Workers Comp reform
Read More...URAC, the accreditation body that seems to be into every aspect of managed care, is now looking to certify PBMs. In a presentation at the PBMI conference in Phoenix last week, a representative provided an overview of the process, modules, … Continue reading URAC’s foray into pharmacy benefit management
Read More...How drugs make it on to formularies has always puzzled me. After listening to a talk on the process, I’m even more mystified.
Read More...There hasn’t been much in the popular press about consumer-directed health care of late. What a relief. That doesn’t mean we can bury the idea, as economists and policy makers of a libertarian bent are going to keep returning to … Continue reading health care consumerism update
Read More...Timing is everything; Coventry’s fourth quarter financials release came on the heels of the Concentra acquisition announcement, allowing the observer to compare results to prognostications.
Read More...As part of the Concentra acquisition, First Health will own a large field case management force. From all indications, Coventry (FH’s parent company) has wanted to get into the case management business for some time – it generates steady fees, … Continue reading UPDATE – The monster in the basement – case managers at First Health
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