Health plan costs - managed care (BenefitsLink.com)Headlines re Health plan costs - managed care, gathered by BenefitsLink.comSummary of the Colorado Managed Care Review 2007- (Found July 5, 2008 ) Excerpt: "This is the 14th edition of Allan Baumgarten's annual analysis of trends and issues in the Colorado health care market. Baumgarten, an independent analyst and researcher on health finance in local markets has published his Colorado market study since 1994 He also publishes annual market reports in California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin. A new Arizona study will be published in 2008." (Allan Baumgarten)http://www.allanbaumgarten.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=dsp_report&state=co Guidance Overview HMO Loses Third Party Beneficiary Contract Dispute With Health Care Providers- (Found July 5, 2008 ) Excerpt: "In this health care provider versus HMO dispute, the providers chalked up a win. Having successfully moved for remand following the HMO's attempt to convert the payment controversy into an ERISA action, the HMO asserted ERISA preemption as an affirmative defense. The trial court, and subsequently, the appellate court, found this defense unavailing." (Health Plan Law blog by Attorney Roy F. Harmon III)http://healthplanlaw.com/?p=604 Shepherding Major Health System Reforms: A Conversation With German Health Minister Ulla Schmidt (PDF)- (Found July 5, 2008 ) 10 pages. Excerpt: "During her tenure with the German health ministry, Ulla Schmidt has overseen major system reforms, balancing social solidarity with fiscal responsibility." (Health Affairs)http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/reprint/hlthaff.27.3.w204v1.pdf A Living Model of Managed Competition: A Conversation With Dutch Health Minister Ab Klink (PDF)- (Found July 5, 2008 ) 8 pages. Excerpt: "The Dutch government's centrist approach to health reform with an individual insurance mandate could provide another model for U.S. reform efforts." (Health Affairs)http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/reprint/hlthaff.27.3.w196v1.pdf 'Medical Home' Concept Embraced by IBM and Other Employers- (Found July 5, 2008 ) Excerpt: "The hallmarks of a 'medical home' are an ongoing relationship with a doctor; a team approach to delivering comprehensive, coordinated care that is integrated across the health care system; the use of tools, such as electronic medical records, to ensure that care is delivered safely and prevents redundancy and medical errors; and expanded access, including evening and weekend office hours and the use of e-mail and telephone consultations . . . ." (Financial Week; free...http://www.financialweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080312/REG/446511355/-1/FWDailyA... Opinion Bars to Managed Care Lawsuits - A Historic Review- (Found July 5, 2008 ) Excerpt: "Historically, managed care companies have been afforded immunity from negligence and malpractice lawsuits. Several state and federal bars, including ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), have insulated managed care companies from liability relating to the treatment of patients. Likewise, managed care companies have historically been immune from malpractice committed by a health care member of its panel of providers." (The Executive Post Healthcare...http://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2008/03/12/bars-to-managed-care-lawsuits/ Proposal Could Lift Fee Limits Imposed on HMOs by State of California- (Found July 5, 2008 ) Excerpt: "The way that state regulators levy penalties and fees on HMOs is coming under intense scrutiny in the Capitol. And now one Democratic senator is trying to remove what is effectively a limit on fines against health providers." (Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights)http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/healthcare/nw/?postId=9246 Health Insurance & Managed Care Compilation of Statistics and Articles Updated March 3- (Found July 5, 2008 ) Excerpt: "For most Americans, market-based health insurance remains the predominant form of health coverage." (National Conference of State Legislatures)http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/healthmc.htm Adviser Sheds Light on PBM Conflicts of Interest- (Found July 5, 2008 ) Excerpt: "Fiduciaries could be breaching their responsibilities under ERISA if the revenue streams going to PBMs are not fully understood by the sponsor. Which begs the question: do your clients know about all the money you're making from their PBM relationship" (Employee Benefit Adviser)http://eba.benefitnews.com/asset/article/537651/adviser-sheds-light-pbm-conflicts-interest... Conversations on The Changing Face Of Managed Care: Insights from Managed Care Magazine's Podcast Series (PDF)- (Found July 5, 2008 ) 34 pages. Articles include 'Seeing Through Transparency from the Employer's Perspective,' 'Electronic Health Information,' 'The Future of Disease Management' and 'Consumer-Directed Health Plans." (Managed Care)http://www.managedcaremag.com/supplements/0709_podcast/0709_podcast.pdf |