The American Council of the Blind commends U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) on the introduction of H.R. 3457, which calls for the Controller General of the United States to investigate the government’s systemic failure to provide materials in accessible formats for recipients of Medicare and Medicaid. [Read more…]

Avella just announced that it has launched a new e-commerce platform designed to streamline ordering compounded preparations. This easy-to-use, secure and intuitive web-based portal gives ophthalmology providers the ability to save payment information and easily order or re-order with customized shipping method. It also provides access to ordering history and invoices at a glance. [Read more…]

Wellthy Therapeutics, a Digital Therapeutics company based out of Mumbai, is one of the five companies selected, and the only Healthcare company to enrol into Swiss Re InsurTech Accelerator programme this year. Wellthy’s artificial intelligence powered mobile intervention focuses on reversing and controlling diabetes through integrated care. Wellthy facilitates behavioural change and enables on demand care to improve health through a clinically proven policyholder centric tool, while reducing risk for health and life insurers. [Read more…]

Springbuk, the leading employer-facing health intelligence platform, continues to show strong growth of its business-to-business software. With the introduction of more than 300 new employer customers in the second quarter, Springbuk now has over 900 employers on the analytics platform. [Read more…]

Sempre Health, the leading solution for behavior-based healthcare pricing, officially launched health plan partnerships today to empower consumers to lower their own medication costs. Sempre works with health plans and pharma manufacturers to dynamically adjust a patient’s co-payment based on individual adherence and behavior, seamlessly at the point of fill. [Read more…]

Missouri Care, Inc., a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), announced today that it has signed an agreement with SSM Health that provides in-network coverage to Missouri Care’s MO HealthNet Managed Care (Medicaid) members. This agreement includes access to academic medical centers, community hospitals, physicians, urgent care centers, ambulatory care centers and other services and facilities owned by or affiliated with SSM Health. [Read more…]

A young Ohio father and his baby boy who battled brain cancer at the same time are among the 22 million Americans at risk of losing health insurance if a bill being considered by the United States Senate becomes law. The family is featured in a new video released today urging lawmakers to vote no. [Read more…]

A comprehensive program announced today by pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime), which serves 14 Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans nationally, identifies members who are at risk of controlled substance misuse and gets them into programs that can help reduce their risk. Prime’s “Controlled Substance Management Program” combines existing and new offerings into a multi-layered program to help address the national epidemic. [Read more…]

Last year the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services issued a report about Americans’ concerns and actions related to long-term care (LTC), also referred to as long-term services and supports (LTSS). [Read more…]

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced sales of $18.8 billion for the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 1.9% as compared to the second quarter of 2016. Operational sales results increased 2.9% and the negative impact of currency was 1.0%. Domestic sales increased 1.6%. International sales increased 2.3%, reflecting operational growth of 4.4% and a negative currency impact of 2.1%. Excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, on an operational basis, worldwide sales increased 0.5%, domestic sales decreased 1.0% and international sales increased 2.0%.* [Read more…]

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has issued a statement deeply critical of the draft health care legislation introduced yesterday in the Senate, known as the Better Care Reconciliation Act, or BCRA. ACEP’s president, Dr. Rebecca Parker, said: [Read more…]

The American Diabetes Association has grave concerns about the impact the draft Senate health care bill will have on people with diabetes. Individuals with diabetes need access to continuous health care to effectively manage their disease and to prevent dangerous and costly complications. The proposed legislation could significantly limit access to care and yield increased costs for people with diabetes, and particularly for older Americans, who are at greater risk for diabetes. The bill also does not guarantee comprehensive coverage. [Read more…]

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wisc., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The accolades continue to accrue for SKYGEN USA. The company, which is dedicated to transforming the delivery of health benefits through innovative, technology-enabled solutions that drive down the cost of care while ensuring healthier outcomes for all Americans, announced today that it has been ranked number 86 on the prestigious 2017 Healthcare Informatics (HCI) 100 list. [Read more…]

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — CAHU is dismayed that the California State Senate saw fit to pass the $400 billion per year tax plan to pay for universal single payer legislation, SB 562 (Lara/Atkins). [Read more…]

American Well announced today that its clinical partner, Online Care Group, is open and available for telehealth visits in Texas, following the historic signing of Bill SB107 into law by Governor Abbott on May 27. This bill embraces telehealth, holding medical professionals using telehealth to the same standard of care as those in a traditional medical practice and paving the way for more expansive use of high-quality telehealth services. [Read more…]

TORONTO, May 16, 2017 /CNW/ – Alternate Health Corp. (CSE:AHG, OTC:AHGIF), a diverse healthcare company revolutionizing patient care and research through compliance and technology in the emerging medical cannabis industry, announced today the completion of its initial study to demonstrate the effectiveness of cannabinoid in treating chronic post-Zika virus symptoms. [Read more…]

Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, has released the 2017 Milliman Medical Index (MMI), which measures the cost of healthcare for a typical American family of four receiving coverage from an employer-sponsored preferred provider plan (PPO). In 2017, costs for this family will increase by 4.3%—which marks the lowest rate of increase in the history of this study—though the total dollar increase of $1,118 is consistent with the last decade of healthcare cost increases. [Read more…]

More Americans now have health insurance than ever before, but that doesn’t mean there are fewer gaps in the screening, monitoring, and management of healthcare and chronic disease. Most health plan members believe their plan’s communications are impersonal and centered around bills rather than healthcare guidance. The majority of members are either disconnected from or rarely visit their health plans on social media and member portals. Additionally, many members feel they are missing valuable support from their plans around digital health data and price transparency. The findings are based on a survey of 750 insured consumers who have sponsored health insurance. The results are now available in the 2017 HealthMine Health Intelligence Report: Communication and Digital Healthcare Tools. [Read more…]

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Reba Mathew Pharm.D., R.Ph has joined the firm’s Employee Benefits Consulting Practice as Pharmacy Practice Director. [Read more…]

The growing global market presence of SCIO Health Analytics™ is featured in healthcare technology consulting firm Signify Research’s most recent market report, “Population Health Management IT – North America – 2017.” [Read more…]

Aflac will partner with Tough Mudder Inc., the leading active lifestyle brand and media company, as the “Official Supplemental Insurance Provider” for Tough Mudder’s 2017 events season. The partnership includes the introduction of the Aflac Small Business Challenge designed for teams participating in Tough Mudder events on behalf of small businesses. [Read more…]

xG Health Solutions, powered by Geisinger®, and Casenet, through a strategic alliance, will deliver evidence-based assessment and care plan content to the health plan market. Through this partnership, xG’s Intelligent Care Management™ evidence-based content will be available in Casenet’s TruCare GuidedCare product. The clinical content is based on nationally-recognized practice guidelines and standards of care, including assessments and care plans for 45 conditions that are most commonly addressed in care management programs. [Read more…]

DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading independent medical group and a leading global provider of kidney care services has been certified as a “Freedom-Centered Workplace” by WorldBlu. This is the tenth consecutive year the company has been recognized on the list, formerly known as “most democratic” workplaces.

Organizations become eligible for a spot on the WorldBlu List of Most Freedom-Centered Workplaces™ after teammates complete The WorldBlu Freedom at Work™ Assessment, a survey evaluating their practice of the WorldBlu 10 Principles of Organizational Democracy™. The assessment was developed based on a decade of research into what makes a successful freedom-centered company. Organizations from the for-profit and non-profit sectors that have been in operation for at least one full year and have five or more employees can apply for the certification.

WellCare of New York, Inc., a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), has signed an agreement with Catholic Health and Catholic Medical Partners, an independent practice association (IPA) that provides in-network coverage to WellCare’s Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and Child Health Plus members. [Read more…]

ProgenyHealth, the only national company focused exclusively on neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) case management, has entered into an agreement with Family Health Network to manage the unique healthcare needs of their premature and medically complex newborn population. ProgenyHealth will provide comprehensive NICU care management services to their Medicaid members for the first year of life. [Read more…]