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| April 1, 2008 |
Data will drive chronic care management improvements
Patients with chronic conditions who see multiple specialists complain that their care is not centrally managed. "Although focusing on the patient may seem like a rudimentary health care objective, the building blocks for patient-centric care delivery have only recently been put in place," says Eric Chetwynd, product marketing director for Care and Health Management Solutions, Ingenix.
He suggests a system in which the patient, along with the patient's doctors, nurses and pharmacists, all have access to the same information. "Your doctor should have access to the same basic data about you that the nurse at your health plan would have or that your pharmacist would have," he says.
Continue reading this story online.
Steve Case, Andy Slavitt to keynote the 2008 Ingenix Health Care Technology Conference
Join us in Orlando May 13 to 15 to learn how consumer engagement and technology are transforming health care. On Wednesday, May 14, we kick off the conference with a keynote session by AOL co-founder Steve Case on how shifting power and providing information to consumers can help improve the system. That idea is at the heart of Revolution Health, the company Case launched to promote greater choice, control and convenience for consumers. On Thursday, Ingenix CEO Andrew Slavitt will offer his perspective on how innovative technology, quality data and sound methodologies provide the transparency and information that helps achieve higher quality care. Find out more about these provocative keynotes here. Blank (3/18)
Survey: Cost, productivity top reasons to offer on-site care
A survey of employers offering on-site care clinics found that enhancing productivity and cutting medical costs were the prime movers for both early and recent adopters. The most widely offered services included immunizations and health screenings. Business Insurance (3/20)
More employers embrace use of consumer-directed health plans
Consumer-directed health plans are being offered by more employers, and a recent survey indicates the number of workers enrolled in them has doubled in the last two years. About 47% of large U.S. employers offer CDHPs, according to the survey, up from 33% in 2006, while more than half said they will offer one by next year. Healthcare Finance News (3/14)
Texas employers given access to more employee health data
The Texas Legislature now allows employers to be informed by insurers about employees whose bills topped $15,000 in the previous year. Names are withheld, but the data include diagnoses, treatment plans and other information. Houston Chronicle (3/15)
Survey finds employers taking a bigger interest in Rx costs
Drug benefit costs to employers increased at a higher rate than overall medical costs in 2007, and employers are responding by getting more involved in workers' compliance and cost savings. A new survey showed most employers are using tiered co-payments, while some encourage use of mail-order plans and generic drugs. Healthcare Finance News (3/25)
Other News
Kansas hospitals join trend toward more automation
In an effort to improve care and decrease human error, some Kansas hospitals are among those making the change to robots to test blood samples and barcode scanners to check drug dosages. While the initial investment is very costly, there is the promise of future savings in time and money. The Wichita Eagle (Kan.) (3/23)
Banner hospitals use cameras, telemedicine to monitor ICUs
Banner Health has a telemedicine center staffed by nurses and physicians who provide backup monitoring via cameras and monitors installed in several of the Banner hospitals' ICUs. "We are there as a second set of eyes and ears," says the director of the remote system. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (3/18)
Non-patient programs can help hospitals increase revenue
As payments from government and private insurers decline, some hospitals find that non-patient programs can help them increase revenues. Such offerings as cafeterias, on-site pharmacies or providing laundry services for affiliates can bring in extra revenue to help the bottom line. American City Business Journals/The Business Review (3/14)
RFID equipment-tracking capabilities save hospitals from overbuying
A North Carolina company is bringing its RFID equipment tracking system to hospitals across the U.S. When RadarFind tested its system at one North Carolina hospital last year, an administrator estimated that the facility saved $300,000 on the purchase of IV pumps alone by being better able to track the pumps. American City Business Journals/Triangle Business Journal (3/21)
Study: Patient safety measures could save hospitals millions
Thomson Healthcare ranked 100 top-performing hospitals and found that if all hospitals in the U.S. performed at the same level on eight patient safety measures, they would have saved more than 7,900 lives and cut $253 million in costs from 2001 through 2005, the period the study examined. Healthcare IT News (3/17)
Virginia hospital gets grant for EHR pilot program
One Virginia hospital will use a $150,000 grant from the governor's office for an electronic health record pilot program. The program, a first for the state, will work to make EHRs easier to access for physicians who treat cardiac patients. WSLS-TV (Roanoke, Va.) (3/17)
Other News
Ill. Blues commit to wellness
Health Care Service Corp., the Chicago-based parent of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, has incorporated the word "wellness" into its mission statement. The move is expected to reflect a more proactive approach, with more wellness initiatives included in basic benefit plans. Chicago Tribune (3/19)
S.C. Blues ally with overseas hospitals for medical tourism
A South Carolina insurer is forging links with accredited foreign hospitals to promote medical tourism. David Boucher, assistant vice president of health care services at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of South Carolina, has made connections with hospitals in Singapore, Thailand, Ireland, Turkey and Costa Rica. Bloomberg Businessweek (3/17)
Health plans look to train patients on taking biologic drugs
As expensive new biologic drugs arrive on the scene, some payers are looking for ways to ensure that patients are trained to use them properly. Up-front effective training can mitigate patient risks, says the CEO of ActiveCare Network. Atlantic Information Services (3/14)
More powerful Web-based PHRs to give consumers more control
The personal health record is beginning to live up to its promise, as some larger payers are offering them as Web-based tools for their members. PHRs are expected to vitalize consumer-directed plans as financial information is fully integrated. Atlantic Information Services (3/17)
Insurers filling void for consumer pricing information
While many hospitals report the rates they charge for procedures, consumers get little benefit from the numbers, since they don't reflect prices negotiated with insurance companies. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and other insurance companies are stepping forward to offer more useful pricing information on Web sites so patients can make better cost estimates. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (3/24)
Other News
Pharmaceutical companies come together to explore diabetes treatments
Genetic research suggests that diabetes may be caused by complex interactions between a number of genes, leading to many more subtypes than Type 1 and Type 2. In the first meeting of its kind, the NIH and 20 pharmaceutical companies came together to explore new treatments. "We're trying to inspire some really creative thinking," said an NIH official. Yahoo!/Associated Press (3/17)
Scientists: Genetic advances lead to new therapies
Scientists gathered recently to say rapid advances in genetic research are opening the door to future treatments for such disparate problems as heart disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. "Genetics and genomics are giving us a better biological understanding and then we can start to develop therapies," said one doctor. Forbes (3/18)
Smart pill monitors compliance, body's responses
To combat drug compliance problems, one California firm is developing a pill and monitor system that records when a drug is taken and how the body responds. Proteus Biomedical's Raisin system sends a signal when a pill is ingested, and a patch worn on the body collects data. MIT Technology Review (3/2008)
Opinion: California needs to encourage search for new antibiotics
The life science industry in California has the potential to fill the need for new antibiotics, say two CEOs, and changes in the state's current tax laws could help encourage small biotech firms to pursue development of these drugs. San Francisco Chronicle (3/18)
System to send doctors important drug messages via e-mail
To speed doctor notification and avoid message misplacement, a nonprofit group will send e-mail alerts of drug warnings and label changes to physicians. To avoid cluttering inboxes, the e-mails will be targeted by specialty to doctors who have opted into the program. The Wall Street Journal (free content) (3/25)
Firm creates HIPAA-compliant text-messaging system
A new text-messaging system will enable health care professionals to securely text each other about patients' conditions from their mobile devices. SquareLoop's Mobile Alert Network offers HIPAA-compliant encryption and is expected to be available in June. HealthImaging.com (3/20)
iPhone software may make it doctors' mobile device of choice
With the ease of use and multifunctionality that made it a hit among consumers, Apple's iPhone may soon be joining doctors on their bedside rounds. Apple released a software development kit, and some predict this may soon lead to more use of electronic health records and clinical decision support systems. Silicon.com (U.K.) (3/17)
Concierge service gives physicians more time with patients
In a new trend to counteract managed care, some doctors are switching to "concierge service" wherein they see fewer patients but are able to spend more time with them. They charge an annual retainer and in return patients have much more access to them. The Washington Post (3/18)
Doctors' group negotiates price, contract deal with EHR vendors
The Ohio State Medical Association has negotiated a deal with EHR vendors to secure its members preferred prices. OSMA hopes the deal, which includes specific contract terms for all members, will make adoption of EHRs easier. Health Data Management (3/13)
Other News
FDA unveils new state-of-the-art safety testing facilities
The FDA recently gave reporters a tour of its new high-tech laboratories that will test medical product safety. The $1.1 billion project, to be completed in 2012, will investigate such things as whether iPods cause interference with pacemakers. The Sun (Baltimore) (3/18)
Ohio HIE wins grants for e-Rx, disease registry
The HealthBridge community health information exchange has been awarded grant money to implement electronic prescribing and create a disease registry. Based in Cincinnati, the HIE will gather diabetes quality-of-care data. Healthcare IT News (3/18)
FCC grant to develop telemedicine in Southwest
The Federal Communications Commission has given a $15.5 million grant to help build and operate a telehealth network in the Southwest. The network will include more than 500 sites, mainly in New Mexico and Arizona, along with Indian Health Service sites in several other states. Yahoo!/Associated Press (3/19)
FDA to post full-time regulators in China
The FDA announced plans to station eight full-time regulators in China. "Our efforts to fill permanent FDA positions in China are a significant step toward ensuring access to safe food, drugs and medical devices in the global market," said an FDA official. The Washington Post (3/14)
New Jersey proposes coverage for all uninsured residents
New Jersey legislators proposed a plan to require all state residents to be covered by health insurance by 2011. The Garden State, which currently has about 1.4 million uninsured residents, is only the fourth state to propose mandatory coverage. The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.) (3/16)
Other News
Conn. bill to disallow credit score use by auto insurers tanks
A bill that would have stopped insurers from using credit scores to set rates for Connecticut drivers has died in committee. An insurer group was pleased by the move, saying credit rating is a good predictor of driving risk. Insurance Journal (3/19)
$185 million profit reported by W.Va. workers' comp insurer
BrickStreet Insurance reported it more than doubled its profit from running West Virginia's workers' compensation program. In its second year in business, it increased earnings from $70.7 million to $185 million. Insurance Journal (3/24)
Wyoming to review state's workers' comp program
Wyoming's Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee will review the state's workers' compensation program, focusing on a current cash reserve of $925 million and formulas used to compute benefits. Insurance Journal (3/21)
Massachusetts to weigh 2.3% workers' comp rate increase
A public hearing has been set for a request that Massachusetts increase workers' compensation rates by an average 2.3%. The April 3 hearing will consider the request, made by the Workers Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts. Insurance Journal (3/19)
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