To support members and the health of local communities during the COVID-19 outbreak, Fidelis Care has expanded access to telehealth services, covering virtual visits with providers from the safety, comfort, and convenience of a member’s home for a $0 copay. [Read more…]

CONCORD, Calif., April 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Nonstop Administration and Insurance Services, Inc. (Nonstop) has announced that they will now sell their flagship product through a channel program to health benefits brokers nationally. Nonstop Wellness is a proprietary employer-sponsored health insurance product that combines an ACA-approved high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a Medical Expense Reimbursement Program (MERP), which eliminates or reduces employee out-of-pocket costs, and potentially reduces health insurance premiums 8-10% on renewal. The results are better employee health benefits for less than a traditional health insurance plan. [Read more…]

According to a new survey of health insurance companies released today by eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) (eHealth.com), nearly all are making changes to help consumers impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus. A strong majority (97%) say they are waiving out-of-pocket costs associated with testing. Sixty percent of insurer respondents say they are currently offering some form of premium deferral program for those impacted by the coronavirus. [Read more…]

NEW YORK, April 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Centivo today launched its new self-funded health plan solution, which is built to save 15 percent or more compared to traditional health plans and is easy to use for the employer and the employee. The solution provides plan options for employees, including low-cost, primary care-based models to help them navigate the health care system and guide patients to the right specialists and facilities. Centivo does this by using advanced analytics to build cost-effective networks directly with high-quality health systems and independent practice partners. The solution will initially be available in three markets — Metro New York, Orlando, and Jacksonville — with additional markets to be added over the course of the year. Centivo also partners with employers and their advisors to implement custom local network solutions in other markets. [Read more…]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation (GuideWell), the parent to a family of forward-thinking companies focused on transforming health care, announced its COVID-19 Health Innovation Collaborative, an initiative that seeks to connect diverse innovative health-technology companies across the U.S. to bring forth solutions that address gaps in response to global health pandemics. [Read more…]

DUBLIN, Calif., March 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ —

WHAT
Webinar: Bridging the Health Coverage Gap

With COVID-19 delivering the U.S. economy a hard hit, along with employees at risk of losing their health coverage, small and medium size businesses need to understand the range of health coverage offerings available to them. TriNet is responding to the growing coverage gap by facilitating access to alternative health plan options in addition to COBRA.

Topics to be discussed include:

Who might be at risk of losing health coverage as a result of the current crisis?
Health plan options for employees who lose coverage
Determining which option might be right for SMB owners and their employees
TriNet resources that can help SMBs navigate their options

WHO
Ed Griese, Senior Vice President of Insurance Services, TriNet
Jeff Smedsrud, Co-Founder Healthcare.com, Founder and CEO Pivot Health

WHEN
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 | 10 – 11 a.m. PT/ 1 – 2 p.m. ET

WHERE
Register here to join TriNet’s continuing conversation about the impact of COVID-19 on SMBs. If unable to attend, register here and TriNet will email a link to the recording

About TriNet
TriNet (NYSE: TNET) provides small and medium size businesses (SMBs) with full-service HR solutions tailored by industry. To free SMBs from HR complexities, TriNet offers access to human capital expertise, benefits, risk mitigation and compliance, payroll and real-time technology. From Main Street to Wall Street, TriNet empowers SMBs to focus on what matters most-growing their business. TriNet, incredible starts here. For more information, visit TriNet.com or follow us on Twitter.

TriNet and the TriNet logo are registered trademarks of TriNet. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE TriNet

NEW YORK, March 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — From 2017 to 2018, telehealth use grew 12 percent and use of retail clinics grew 10 percent, but use of urgent care centers, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and emergency rooms (ERs) all declined, according to newly released findings from FAIR Health. Urgent care center use fell 11 percent, ASC use fell 12 percent and ER use fell 15 percent. These are among the findings in a new FAIR Health white paper containing the third annual edition of FH® Healthcare Indicators and FH® Medical Price Index. [Read more…]

WELLESLEY, Mass., March 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Harvard Pilgrim Health Care today announced it is waiving member cost-sharing related to treatment for COVID-19. The waiver applies to medical costs associated with COVID-19 treatment at in-network facilities and out-of-network emergencies. [Read more…]

ST. LOUIS, April 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Centene (NYSE: CNC) today announced a series of additional measures to support the most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on actions already taken in partnership with the White House Coronavirus Task Force, the Company announced it will cover the cost of COVID-19-related treatments for Medicare, Medicaid and Marketplace members. In order to expedite care and eliminate the administrative burden to providers, the Company is also eliminating the need for providers to collect co-pays and removing authorization requirements for COVID-19 related treatment. [Read more…]

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla., April 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Care Bridge International, a data analytics corporation, today announced a new COVID-19 Calculator that estimates the true exposure of medical treatment and costs related to COVID-19 claims. As a public service during this difficult time, Care Bridge International is offering a FREE interactive tool at https://www.AnalyticPoweredCOVID19.com for businesses who need to understand the average medical costs associated with a COVID-19 diagnosis for a Workers Compensation claim, Group health or General Liability claims or the costs for Medicare beneficiaries. [Read more…]

CLEARWATER, Fla., April 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — AmeriLife Group, LLC (AmeriLife), the national leader in marketing and distributing life, health and retirement solutions, has acquired a majority interest in Jack Schroeder and Associates, LLC (JSA), an insurance marketing organization based in Green Bay, Wisc. [Read more…]

PHILADELPHIA, March 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — HealthVerity, the trusted technology partner to the life sciences and insurance industries, announced today the expansion of its healthcare data ecosystem to include the most comprehensive set of closed pharmacy and medical payer data available in the market. The addition of multiple payer-oriented data sources to HealthVerity Marketplace, the self-service cloud platform for the discovery and linkage of healthcare and consumer data, solidifies HealthVerity as the largest healthcare data ecosystem in the US. [Read more…]

NEW YORK, March 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Corporate Insight, the leading provider of competitive intelligence and user experience research, today announced the release of its new Medicare Monitor. This service benchmarks all aspects of the digital user experience for Medicare plan prospects and members, from account opening and onboarding to the secure customer web and mobile platforms offered by the nation’s leading healthcare insurers. [Read more…]

SAN DIEGO, March 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — MedCrypt Inc., the proactive healthcare security provider, today announced Seth Carmody as the new vice president of regulatory strategy. Prior to MedCrypt, Carmody worked as the cybersecurity program manager in the Office of the Center Director, Emergency Preparedness/Operations & Medical Countermeasures, within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). Carmody brings over eight years of experience in guiding medical device cybersecurity regulatory strategy as well as managing regulatory response to cybersecurity matters. [Read more…]

BOSTON and SAN FRANCISCO, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Edgewood Healthcare Advisors, a division of EPIC, announced today that Matthew LeBlanc has been named Healthcare Practice Leader for the Eastern Region reporting to Susan Tewhill, National Healthcare Practice Leader for Edgewood Healthcare Advisors. [Read more…]

CHICAGO, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Hub International Limited (Hub), a leading global insurance brokerage, announced today that it has acquired LSM Insurance Services Ltd. (LSM). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Markham, Ontario, Canada, LSM is a leading online provider of life and health insurance solutions. The LSM team has a combined 100 years of experience in the life insurance industry. LSM specializes in the hard-to-insure market and helps find affordable life insurance solutions for clients with health issues. Lorne Marr, Owner and Director of LSM, will join Hub Financial Inc., a subsidiary of Hub.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us,” said Mr. Marr. “We look forward to helping Hub Financial build the most robust lead generation program in the industry.”

Hub combines extensive sales training and coaching with industry-leading back office support and exceptional technology to provide financial advisors and insurance brokers, with access to development tools and education while maintaining their independence and self-governance. With offices in 15 cities across Canada, Hub Financial Inc. is one of Canada’s largest distributors of life insurance and investment solutions to advisors with the convenience of local support and the security of national scope and size.

About Hub’s M&A Activities
Hub International Limited is committed to growing organically and through acquisitions to expand its geographic footprint and strengthen industry and product expertise. For more information on the Hub M&A experience, visit WeAreHub.com.

About Hub International
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Hub International Limited is a leading full-service global insurance broker providing property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits, investment and risk management products and services. With more than 12,000 employees in offices located throughout North America, Hub’s vast network of specialists provides peace of mind on what matters most by protecting clients through unrelenting advocacy and tailored insurance solutions. For more information, please visit www.hubinternational.com.

SOURCE Hub International Limited

HARTFORD, Conn., March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation recently announced that nominations are open for its Healthy Food, Healthy Community Award, which will recognize one non-profit organization in Connecticut that is making an impact by connecting healthy food to families. The non-profit will be awarded $5,000 by the Foundation. [Read more…]

TAMPA, Fla., March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Peerfit, the digital health company that works with employers and insurance carriers to fully fund fitness experiences for their employees and members, announced today that Ulya Khan, a former Tivity Health Chief Operating and Product Officer and industry veteran, has joined its board of directors. [Read more…]

SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH), a leading private online health insurance exchange, today announced that Scott Flanders, Chief Executive Officer will present at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 10:15 a.m. E.T. This event will be held at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. [Read more…]

CHICAGO, Feb. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), the largest customer-owned health insurer in U.S., has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the 2020 World’s Most Ethical Companies®. [Read more…]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) released today new research which shows the significant financial costs facing consumers treated for five serious conditions while enrolled in short-term health plans: lymphoma, heart attack, lung cancer, diabetes and mental health hospitalizations. [Read more…]

ATLANTA, Feb. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Lawrence Thompson, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer at Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions (AMPS) has been selected to moderate the opening keynote, “Election 2020: The Future of Health Care in America,” on February 25, 2020, at the HCAA Executive Forum at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. [Read more…]

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — UnityPoint Accountable Care (UAC) is announcing more than $9.5 million in shared savings based on quality and cost performance in the Medicare Next Generation Accountable Care Organization Model. As a subsidiary of UnityPoint Health and one of the largest accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the nation, UAC saw total shared savings of $9,534,791.31 for the 2018 calendar year. [Read more…]

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH), a leading private online health insurance exchange, announces today its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. [Read more…]

SUNRISE, Fla., Feb. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — A bullying prevention initiative designed to promote inclusion among students was celebrated at three Florida schools this month with the help of Sunshine Health. The schools included Skyway Elementary and Twin Lakes Elementary in Miami, and J.E.B. Stuart Middle in Jacksonville.

Representatives from Sunshine Health hosted an assembly at each school in honor of National No One Eats Alone® Day, created by the non-profit Beyond Differences™. More than 750 students participated in activities designed to teach them about social isolation and the negative impact it can have on a student’s health and academic performance. The students engaged in a simple act of kindness at lunch – making sure no one is eating alone by sitting with students they didn’t know. They were given icebreaker topics to spur conversations and highlight their commonalities.

Social isolation affects millions of students and has been identified as a precursor to bullying, self-harm and community violence. Students have shown that if they are given the tools, they will stand up for others as empathetic and caring activists, not passive bystanders.

“We recognize the negative impacts bullying and social isolation can have on a child’s overall health,” said Chris Coffey, CEO of Sunshine Health. “We are proud to partner with Beyond Differences to celebrate No One Eats Alone Day and raise awareness about social issues impacting the health of our children.”

“Social isolation is a preventable public health problem,” said Laura Talmus, co-founder and executive director of Beyond Differences. “We’ve learned through teachers and families that No One Eats Alone Day is a powerful step and positive initiative that can change the culture in schools to be a more welcoming place for all.”

The three Florida schools joined more than 2,500 schools across the country to celebrate No One Eats Alone Day. The initiative reached more than 1 million students in all 50 states. No One Eats Alone Day is sponsored by the Centene Charitable Foundation.

About Sunshine Health

Headquartered in Sunrise, Fla., Sunshine Health is among the largest healthcare plans in Florida. Offering coordinated care and a network of support for more than 1 million members, Sunshine Health is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. Sunshine Health is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Sunshine Health offers government-sponsored managed care through Medicaid, Long Term Care, Ambetter (Marketplace) and Allwell (Medicare). Additionally, we offer a specialty Medicaid health plan for

children in or adopted from Florida’s Child Welfare system. For more information, visit SunshineHealth.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SunHealthFL.

SOURCE Sunshine Health

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today it will present at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference, to be held at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, March 10-12, 2020. [Read more…]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Global law firm Ropes & Gray today announced the arrival of three health care lawyers – J. Harold Richards, Michael J. McDougall and Alex J. Talley – who join the firm in Washington, D.C. as counsel. Their arrival follows that of Stephanie Webster, one of the nation’s top health care lawyers and appellate litigators, who recently joined the firm as a partner in Washington, D.C. [Read more…]

NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY), one of New York’s largest primary and specialty care practices and part of the EmblemHealth family of companies, today announced the opening of an innovative, employee-focused medical office at its 55 Water Street headquarters in New York City. [Read more…]

BURLINGTON, Mass. and MANCHESTER, N.H., Feb. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Groups Recover Together has announced an executed agreement with AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire that will allow its members to receive care from any of Groups’ eight locations throughout the state. AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire, is a managed care organization (MCO) that began serving New Hampshire Medicaid enrollees in September 2019 and is part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies. [Read more…]

SEATTLE, Feb. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Accolade, a personalized health and benefits solution for employers, health plans and their members, welcomes ServiceNow Chief Talent Officer Pat Wadors to its board of directors. Putting people first is at the core of Accolade’s strategy and Pat Wadors’ personal and professional passion, and drove her interest in joining the Accolade board of directors. [Read more…]

Is Small Business Health Insurance Plans Difficult to Understand? Dangers

Many entrepreneurs think small business health insurance plans are complicated and expensive. But is this really true? Let’s have a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with them. [Read more…]

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Nov. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) partnered with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Earthquake Country Alliance, PrepItForward and the Inland Empire Disabilities Collaborative to host the first public Disability & Access and Functional Needs (DAFN) Preparedness Academy on November 6, 2019. The preparedness academy aimed to meet a state initiative to improve inclusivity of preparedness, response and recovery capabilities for all throughout the Inland Empire, regardless of ability. [Read more…]

ALHAMBRA, Calif., Nov. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc. (“ApolloMed” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: AMEH), an integrated population health management company, announced its consolidated financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 today. [Read more…]

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Today, New York Edge, the largest provider of afterschool programs in the metropolitan region, announced a partnership with Fidelis Care, a leading health plan providing quality, affordable coverage for more than 1.7 million New Yorkers. Through the partnership, a variety of health and wellness programs will be provided to New York Edge students and their families during the 2019-2020 academic year. [Read more…]

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) is offering a number of new plan options to its already extensive, high-quality, low-cost Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan offerings during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) running now through Dec. 7, 2019. [Read more…]

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Results from a new survey released today by eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) (eHealth.com) show that consumers not receiving government subsidies to lower their premiums are more likely to switch health plans during the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) current open enrollment period. [Read more…]

TORONTO, April 3, 2019 /CNW/ — Chubb is now providing expanded insurance coverage through its Private Equity+SM offering to address the unique risks of Canadian private equity firms. Designed as a comprehensive solution, these extended offerings help transfer and mitigate many of the private equity firms’ most significant liabilities by combining four management liability coverages including management (Directors and Officers), outside directorship, professional services (Errors and Omissions), and Employment Practices Liability in one policy. [Read more…]

CHICAGO, April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Eighteen months after launching its revolutionary employer analytics and reporting solution, Blue Health Intelligence® (BHI®) is providing healthcare insights for millions of individuals who receive health benefits through their employers. The solution, Whyzen Analytics, also has increased operational efficiencies and value by providing more actionable population health information to four large regional health plans. [Read more…]

BOISE, Idaho, April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — VisitPay announced that Henry Ford Health System will implement its financial platform, which helps patients meet their medical billing obligations and provide health systems with capabilities to boost patient satisfaction and yield. [Read more…]

BOISE, Idaho, April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — VisitPay announced that patients who use the company’s revolutionary patient financial engagement platform give their health system’s billing and payment experience an average Net Promoter Score® (NPS) of +50. [Read more…]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. and TAMPA, Fla., April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — This April, in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, WellCare of Kentucky, a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) company, sponsored Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky’s (PCAK) 2019 Community Awards. The event provided community organizations with resources and tools to host awareness events around the Commonwealth. After overwhelmingly positive responses to the 2018 sponsorship and an increase in applications received, WellCare doubled the sponsorship to $10,000 for 2019, helping PCAK to further community support statewide. [Read more…]

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (“WellCare”) (NYSE: WCG) today announced that it has entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for its Revolving Credit Facility (“Credit Agreement”). The company plans on using this upsized facility to support its long-term growth plans, including, but not limited to, its pending acquisition of Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Inc., Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. and MeridianRx, LLC (“Meridian”), as well as for general corporate purposes. [Read more…]

Symbility Solutions (TSX.V: SY) (“Symbility”), a global software company focused on modernizing the insurance industry, is pleased to announce that they have signed a multi-year agreement with Ageas Insurance Limited. Ageas is a recognized leader in the United Kingdom insurance sector for the exceptionali customer experience delivered to their policyholders. [Read more…]

Beacon Health Options (Beacon), the nation’s premier behavioral health management company, has announced that Mental Health News Education (MHNE) has presented its 2018 Leadership Award to Beacon Mid-Atlantic Market President Jim Spink. The MHNE Leadership Award recognizes Mr. Spink for his more than two decades of championing treatment services and public policy that advance the quality of life of individuals and families living with mental illness, substance use disorder and autism spectrum disorder. [Read more…]

Infinisource Benefit Services will be on display with its innovative benefits administration products at the upcoming Coastal Empire Association of Health Underwriters Symposium & Exhibitor Fair. The event will take place at The Hyatt Regency Savannah in Savannah, Georgia on April 25. The 14th annual occurrence of this event offers health insurance professionals in Georgia with the opportunity to participate in continuing education, receive updates on the industry, and meet carrier partners. [Read more…]

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is examining the growing issues related to opioid use in America through a three-part series, On Opioids. This series is aimed at exploring three viewpoints on issues surrounding opioid use and workers compensation: those of doctors, insurers, and regulators. NCCI has posted its first article of the series—On Opioids: The Doctors’ Perspectives—on ncci.com. [Read more…]

Florida Blue, a leading health insurer in Florida, has partnered with Welltok, a leading enterprise Software as a Service company for consumer health. The partnership provides Florida Blue members with access to a unique digital health and wellbeing program designed to help individuals become and stay healthy. [Read more…]

Avella will distribute naloxone, a powerful therapy used to treat opioid overdoses, as part of an innovative new program designed to improve access to the drug. The program allows individuals and family members in certain states to simply contact the pharmacy and order the drug by phone, with no physician prescription needed. In these circumstances, one of Avella’s pharmacists will actually supply the prescription if they determine that EVZIO® (naloxone HCl injection) or another naloxone therapy is appropriate. [Read more…]

One quarter (25%) of U.S. employees surveyed have worked with an executive who became severely ill and whose illness affected the company. This finding of the HealthMine 2018 Rising Risk Survey highlights the need for companies to do a better job of identifying key employees who are at-risk for a chronic illness. Once risks are identified, plan members can engage in personalized health actions to help ward off disease. In addition, companies can implement contingency and succession plans should these employees suddenly become sick. [Read more…]

The healthcare industry has been slow to adopt new technologies, including the cloud. However, industry-wide demand to use health data to improve system efficiency, deliver value-based care and enable productive collaborations is driving investment in cloud solutions. [Read more…]

Change Healthcare and Zebra Medical Vision today announced an agreement to create solutions that deliver artificial intelligence solutions to complex radiology reporting environments. Change Healthcare’s proven radiology solutions, along with Zebra Medical Vision’s algorithms, will benefit radiologists and other imaging specialists by improving the efficiency of routine tasks and the effectiveness of workflow in the radiologist reading environment. [Read more…]

Deloitte, a leader in life sciences and health care consulting services, announced today that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Life Sciences Competency status. This designation recognizes Deloitte for its ability to build successful life sciences solutions on AWS to help customers conduct drug discovery, manage clinical trials, engage in manufacturing and distribution activities, and conduct research and development of novel genetic-based treatments and companion diagnostics. [Read more…]

Majorly, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) occurs in adults, however, it sometimes occurs in children as well. However, targeted drugs called Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) have been effective in providing long-term survival rates. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved dasatinib (Sprycel) for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia in children. As the chronic myeloid leukemia is more aggressive in younger patients, the approval of drugs can help in effective treatment. [Read more…]

MyDx, Inc. (OTC: MYDX), a science and technology company and creator of MyDx® (My Diagnostic), the first multi-use handheld chemical analyzer designed for Cannabis professionals and retail consumers to correlate the chemical profile of cannabis with how it makes them feel and which ailments it alleviates, today announced it filed patents on its revolutionary, second smart device — The ECOSmartPenTM — and is now accepting Pre-Orders. [Read more…]

WellCare of Nebraska, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), announced today that its medical director, Dr. Stephen Lazoritz, has received a governor appointment to the newly established Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council. [Read more…]

Research and knowledge on the effects of nut consumption on human health has increased in recent years, suggesting that nut consumption may play a key role in the prevention of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), among others. [Read more…]

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center of Omaha, one of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals for Cardiology and Heart Surgery, have signed a 10-year, strategic partnership to help drive innovation in pediatric care. Working together, Philips and Children’s will look to identify opportunities to enhance the quality and cost effectiveness of patient services, including focusing on connected solutions in diagnostic imaging, patient monitoring, respiratory solutions and clinical informatics. [Read more…]

Regentis Biomaterials announced today the start of its Phase III pivotal clinical trial of GelrinC for the treatment of focal knee cartilage defects with successful surgery on three patients in the U.S. and Denmark. These procedures are part of a Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical study to compare GelrinC to microfracture, the current standard of care treatment. The clinical study will be used to support a Pre-market Approval Application (PMA) which will allow Regentis to market GelrinC in the U.S. [Read more…]

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC. (Upsher-Smith) today announced the launch of KLOR-CON® Powder (Potassium Chloride) for oral solution, 20 mEq. The Company received approval of an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this product, which will be marketed and distributed by Upsher-Smith. Sandoz, Inc. will continue as the licensed marketer and distributor in the U.S. for the balance of the KLOR-CON® line of potassium products. [Read more…]

WellCare of Nebraska, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), has announced that its medical director, Dr. Stephen Lazoritz, has received a governor appointment to the newly established Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council. [Read more…]

Fullerton Healthcare Corporation Limited (“Fullerton Health” or the “Group”), a leading provider of corporate healthcare solutions across Asia Pacific, today announced a significant investment from Ping An Capital Co., Ltd. (“Ping An Capital”), the core equity investment platform of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd (“Ping An of China”). [Read more…]

Amendola Communications has added population health technology pioneer HealthBI to its customer family. Amendola will be a key player in HealthBI’s plans for rapid growth in 2018, promoting solutions that are already the most widely deployed of their kind while expanding awareness of the company as a visionary thought leader in value-based and integrated care. [Read more…]

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) and the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NYCHCC) announced today that WellCare of New York was awarded the inaugural Anthony Chiarelli Employment Engagement Award in honor of its “successful practices [that] have provided compelling results on the value of diversity in corporate America.” [Read more…]

Effective today, regulation reforms from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandate a new process for surveying the policies and procedures of nursing facilities across the U.S. [Read more…]

Kaiser Permanente researchers in Washington analyzed information from medical visits, keeping private the information that could help identify any of the 22,000 patients in the study. Published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, “Frequency of Cannabis Use among Primary Care Patients in Washington State” is among the first U.S. studies to evaluate the population-based prevalence of patient-reported cannabis use among primary care patients, particularly in a state where nonmedical use is legal. [Read more…]

CareSource and Baptist Health have reached an agreement to provide quality access to health care for consumers in Kentucky and southern Indiana through the Health Insurance Marketplace. [Read more…]

Sixty-five percent (65%) of respondents would be interested if their employer offered easy and affordable access to genetic testing for health purposes, and the results were private and only shared between the employee and their doctor. Twenty-six (26%) percent want genetic testing but only if it is free, and 9% would have no interest in an employer offer of access to genetic testing. Further, 52% of respondents are willing to pay up to $250 for genetic testing. [Read more…]

Receiving a Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau is an honor to selected businesses. Recently, Combined Insurance, a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health and life insurance products, and a Chubb company, received a 2017 Honorable Mention Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. [Read more…]

Yolanda Jimenez-Colón, who leads Latino Relations for Gateway Health’s Community Engagement & Growth Department, has been selected as one of 50 of the Most Influential Latinos in the Delaware Valley. Ms. Jimenez-Colón will be recognized for her commitment and contributions to the Delaware Valley’s Latino community at a ceremony to be held from 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday, November 17 at the National Museum of Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia. The awards ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. [Read more…]

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) released the following statement on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Medicare Parts C and D proposed rule: [Read more…]

Tufts Health Plan today announced it is rated 5 out of 5 – the highest rating possible – by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) on its annual rating of private health insurance plans.* It is the only health plan in the nation to receive the 5 out of 5 rating for both its HMO and PPO products.* Only three other plans in the country, from a pool of nearly 500 -earned a rating of “5.” Its Massachusetts PPO is the only PPO plan in the country to receive a 5 out of 5 rating. [Read more…]

Using real care and cost data over an extended period of time that mimics real world experiences and shows optimization across health care markets. What if workers and dependents could right-fit their own benefits using the power of such analytics? It would revolutionize shopping for health coverage – especially for large companies with up to several thousand workers. [Read more…]

Pat Geraghty, CEO of Florida Blue, the leading health insurer in Florida, today announced that the company will donate $1 million to support relief and recovery efforts across the state in the wake of Hurricane Irma. [Read more…]

Tampa-based WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), a leading provider of Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans throughout the country, today announced that, after activating its emergency business continuity plan ahead of Hurricane Irma’s arrival in Florida, its Tampa-area facilities remain operational and the company is facing minimal interruption in business in serving its 4.4 million members. [Read more…]

A Trump administration agency proposal to cut Medicare drug payments to hospitals serving poor and rural Americans is counterproductive and would actually reduce access to care, a group of over 1,300 hospitals says in comments submitted today to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). [Read more…]

Hurricane Irma is expected to cause catastrophic destruction across Puerto Rico, Florida, and possibly other states, even as the Gulf Coast is working to recover from Hurricane Harvey. Many healthcare facilities and pharmacies are already unavailable for extended periods, and others soon will be. As the waters subside, patients in affected areas may be displaced, many care locations will be temporarily closed, and prescribing patterns could be disrupted due to evacuations, power outages, and massive flooding across the region. [Read more…]

For nearly two decades, New Life Agency has been committed to providing the best value and service in the Assisted Reproduction Insurance industry. Today, New Life Agency announces a powerful three-way partnership designed to deliver substantial savings on today’s expensive fertility medications. [Read more…]

While Middle American men and women share similar feelings of financial security, women are more likely to worry about their personal finances and with good reason: they are three times more likely to say they cannot afford to save for retirement, according to a new study from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual). [Read more…]

While a narrow majority of 1,033 physicians surveyed by Merritt Hawkins strongly (42%) or somewhat (14%) support a “single payer healthcare system” in the U.S., more than 90% of 1,208 persons responding to an internet survey by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons said they were opposed. [Read more…]

Hurricane Harvey has struck a significant blow to the Houston, Texas metro area, home to the sixth largest import terminal in the world, as well as all of the shipping lanes in the Gulf Coast area. Given the strong economic linkages between the gulf coast and the country as a whole, Harvey is a disaster that will impact the U.S. economy far beyond that of the gulf coast. [Read more…]

As Hurricane Irma heads toward Florida, residents are preparing for its impact. Anxiety is running high for many in the path of this very strong storm. [Read more…]