Timely Health Plan News and Commmentary.
Sunshine Health, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, completed the final stages of implementation of the Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) program in 9 of 11 regions and the Child Welfare (Foster Care) program statewide on August 1st. Additionally, … [Continue reading]
To meet increasing employer demand to have additional benefits delivered via an exchange platform, Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON) today announced it is expanding the coverage options … [Continue reading]
According to AAHomecare, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is changing the way it deals with medical equipment repairs. In response to complaints from patients across the nation, CMS has admitted that patients are having trouble … [Continue reading]
MagMutual Insurance Company, the Southeast's policyholder-owned professional liability insurer, has promoted Mike Beckett to regional vice president for Georgia. He will lead the sales and policyholder services across the company's first and largest … [Continue reading]
The Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) and Marcum LLP announced HealthPlanOne has been named to the Marcum Tech Top 40 (TT40) list of fastest growing technology companies in Connecticut for the fifth consecutive year. The recognition is based both … [Continue reading]
According to HealthPocket, HealthPocket found that among 2015 Obamacare metal plans whose rate filings have been made public, platinum plans incurred the lowest average out-of-pocket costs for the five common specialty drugs used in the … [Continue reading]
Marc Serchia, 56, is waiting on a miracle, and if the doctors are correct he doesn't have much more time. At the age of 39, Marc suffered a massive heart attack, faced a 5-hour surgery to repair blocked arteries, and died on the surgical table six … [Continue reading]
US News & World Report is out with their rankings of the best hospitals according to their own survey. For the first time, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, claimed the No. 1 spot, followed by Massachusetts General Hospital and Johns Hopkins … [Continue reading]
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) is confirming that a man is being treated for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital in Orlando, Florida. This is the second case that has been confirmed in the United States, another case … [Continue reading]
Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) and AstraZeneca recently announced that the Phase 3 AMAGINE-1TM study evaluating brodalumab in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis met all primary and secondary endpoints for both evaluated doses. Brodalumab is the … [Continue reading]
Eisai Inc. will add more than 200 new contract sales representatives to its Metabolic Business Unit, bringing the total sales force for BELVIQ® to approximately 600, triple the size from when the FDA-approved prescription therapy for chronic weight … [Continue reading]
In honor of National Women's Health Week (May 11-17), Women's Health Magazine, the fastest-growing international women's lifestyle and wellness magazine, is teaming up with the Emmy®-winning daytime syndicated series, The Doctors (check local … [Continue reading]
CSL Limited (ASX:CSL), parent company of CSL Behring which is based in King of Prussia, PA, recently opened the CSL Behring Biotechnology Manufacturing Facility in Melbourne, Australia. The new facility, located adjacent to the site's manufacturing … [Continue reading]
More than 15 million American adults and five million children over the age of five suffer from high discomfort or exhibit needle-phobic behavior when faced with getting a blood draw or injection, according to results from a new study, with the … [Continue reading]
There are several companies who will have their representatives present at the 32nd annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. J.P. Morgan's 32nd Annual Healthcare Conference will be held January 13-16, 2014 in San Francisco, California. Endo … [Continue reading]
WebMD Health Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD), the leading source of health information, has acquired Avado, Inc., a developer of cloud-based patient relationship management (PRM) tools and technologies that enable better communication between consumers and … [Continue reading]
InspireMD, Inc. ("InspireMD" or the "Company") (NYSE MKT: NSPR), a leader in embolic protection stents, recently announced new 12-month results from the MASTER (MGuard for Acute ST Elevation Reperfusion) trial demonstrating that the MGuard … [Continue reading]
Morgan & Morgan is investigating whether or not Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Ariad" or the "Company") (ARIA) and certain of its officers violated the federal securities laws when making statements to investors regarding its experimental drug … [Continue reading]
ICU Eyewear, a pioneer in sustainable and fashionable eyewear, is now a corporate sponsor of the Seva Foundation in concordance with World Sight Day on Oct. 10 th, 2013. ICU's support of the Seva Foundation will provide aid to two programs, including … [Continue reading]
B. Braun Medical Inc. (B.Braun) will launch Contiplex® C, its revolutionary, one-step, echogenic catheter-over-needle system and unveil Contiplex Echo, its echogenic, styleted catheter, both designed for Continuous Peripheral Nerve Blocks (CPNB) at … [Continue reading]
Akeso Care Management®, Inc. (ACM®), announced today that it has been awarded Health Utilization Management Accreditation by URAC, a Washington, DC-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care … [Continue reading]
America's changing healthcare industry is beginning to reshape the non-physician healthcare work force, with certain jobs evaporating while others are blooming, according to results of the 2013 Staff Salary Survey by Physicians Practice , America's … [Continue reading]
GlaxoSmithKline is set to open its new double LEED® platinum certified facility in Philadelphia's Navy Yard Corporate Center this Saturday, ushering in a new era of how people work in Philadelphia. The 208,000 square foot building at Five … [Continue reading]
Human beings have been laughing for as long as we have been human. In fact, recent evidence suggests that apes and other animals also laugh in their own way. And although humor is experienced across all ages and cultures, scientists are still not in … [Continue reading]
Most people think of a treadmill as an exercise device. In reality treadmills were invented over 4,000 years ago and used animal and human power to perform labor intensive tasks like drawing water and grinding grain. For an overview of the history of … [Continue reading]
MetroHealth System has signed a multi-year agreement with Press Ganey to provide improvement solutions for its medical center, rehabilitation hospital, outpatient surgery center and network of 16 health centers. More than 500 primary care and … [Continue reading]
The Emirates Group comprised of Emirates airline and dnata, which has multiple business interests in the aviation, travel, tourism and leisure industries (Emirates Group), chose ESKADENIA Software Medical Insurance System to run the medical … [Continue reading]
Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANTH) today announced that it intends to offer and sell shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering. The Company expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an … [Continue reading]
Uroplasty, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPI), a medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets innovative proprietary products to treat voiding dysfunctions, today reported financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 ended December 31, … [Continue reading]
The Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York today approved Montefiore Medical Center's bid to acquire the facilities of New York Westchester Square Medical Center (NYWSMC), a Bronx, N.Y., neighborhood hospital that has operated under … [Continue reading]
A federal lawsuit filed by prominent Delaware Valley cardiologist Nicholas L. DePace, M.D., sparked a multi-year investigation by the United States Department of Justice and the New Jersey Attorney General's Office that has resulted in New-Jersey … [Continue reading]
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), a pro-life legal organization that focuses on constitutional law, today filed its fourth direct challenge to the mandate of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the basis that the … [Continue reading]
The Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY) approach to deciding which treatments are available on health services - used by the UK and generating much interest across Europe - is dangerously flawed and should be abandoned, according a European Commission … [Continue reading]
ESKADENIA Software has successfully deployed its comprehensive package of General Insurance and Financial Insurance Systems at the short-term insurance operation of Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited in short period of time. ESKADENIA … [Continue reading]
The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) today sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging both chambers to reject a proposal to pay for Stafford student loan subsidies with reductions in the … [Continue reading]
Enterologics, Inc., (OTCBB: ELGO.OB) a biotechnology company, is dedicated to the development of live biotherapeutic products for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders that it believes are poorly addressed by current therapies. Key examples include … [Continue reading]
Buying health insurance coverage is a big decision. It's complex, it's costly, and it could have big monetary implications. Similar to a lot of other things, it's simpler if you break up the job into lesser tasks and find your way out through … [Continue reading]
Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) today announced that it has received a contract to provide IT managed services to a new client, the American Red Cross, a leading provider of humanitarian services. The contract has a potential value of approximately … [Continue reading]
At a Capitol Hill briefing today, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) highlighted the innovative collaborations among Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, local providers and patients to help improve care delivery through … [Continue reading]
Registered Nurses from two Baystate Health System bargaining units will take action Saturday morning outside the Democratic State Convention in Springfield. The nurses will be joined by labor and community supporters. Convention delegates will be … [Continue reading]
Solta Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLTM), the pioneer in fractional resurfacing and a global market leader in aesthetic treatments, has announced the availability of the Fraxel re:pair SST Laser Platform in the United States. The updated platform addresses … [Continue reading]
Three dedicated leaders in health education will be honored by The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) as the 2012 Champions of Health Professions Diversity for their successful efforts to improve the health and wellness of California's most … [Continue reading]
A great deal has been learned in the decade since the first results from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) were published on July 9, 2002. The WHI was the largest and longest trial of postmenopausal women using hormone therapy (HT). The 27,000 … [Continue reading]
A new nationwide poll finds that heavy majorities of voters across party lines believe that the legal system is increasing health care costs. The survey also found that 66 percent of voters favor taking medical claims out of the current legal system … [Continue reading]
When it comes to how Idaho cares for its elderly and disabled, the state is ahead of the curve in some areas and right behind the eight ball in others, according to a new AARP report taking an in-depth review of long-term care services and supports … [Continue reading]
As Michigan continues to make economic progress, many residents still live without health insurance – with more than one million Michigan residents currently uninsured. Many of these people rely on locally-operated, nonprofit clinics as access points … [Continue reading]
As America's bishops and Catholic organizations around the country file lawsuits to protect their First Amendment rights from the government's health care mandate, a new survey finds that a significant majority of Americans support the right to opt … [Continue reading]
The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF) and Discovery Education, in partnership with Sports Authority, today awarded schools in South Carolina, Arizona and Illinois with $50,000 in prizes as the winners of the 2012 Find Your Balance … [Continue reading]
A new Consumer Reports poll shows overwhelming public support for strong medical device safety oversight. The poll was released just as House and Senate Committees have issued draft legislation to reauthorize the statute governing medical devices … [Continue reading]
The S&P Healthcare Economic Composite Index indicates that the average per capita cost of healthcare services covered by commercial insurance and Medicare programs increased by 5.21% over the 12-months ending January 2012. This was a decline from the … [Continue reading]
Mevion Medical Systems, a radiation therapy company dedicated to advancing the treatment of cancer, has received CE Marking certification for the MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System. This important commercial milestone indicates that Mevion has … [Continue reading]
Unilife Corporation ("Unilife" or "Company") (NASDAQ: UNIS; ASX: UNS) has released its investor relations app, now available for free at the App Store™ on the iPhone®. The Unilife investor relations app for iPhone allows users to navigate the … [Continue reading]
HealthSouth Corporation (NYSE:HLS) today announced that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $16.25 per share on its 6.5% Series A Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, payable on April 16, 2012, to holders of record … [Continue reading]
Earlier today the federal district court denied our motion for a preliminary injunction against the DEA's immediate suspension of our license to ship controlled substances from our Lakeland, Fla., distribution center. We disagree with this decision … [Continue reading]
Crothall Healthcare announced the name change of its operating division from Clinical Equipment Services to Clinical Equipment Solutions (CES). The new name emphasizes Crothall's intent to focus management and oversight resources on the entire cycle … [Continue reading]
Today, the Health Council of Canada releases Turning what we know into action: A commentary on the National Symposium on Patient Engagement , calling for the inclusion of the patient voice when designing, planning and delivering health care services … [Continue reading]
Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisors, LLC (MCRA), a leading independently-operated medical technology consulting firm focused exclusively on serving the worldwide neuro-musculoskeletal industry, announced today that Joseph "Chip" Thomas, … [Continue reading]
Researchers led by a senior investigator at Hofstra-North Shore LIJ School of Medicine and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have released initial findings from a first-of-a-kind clinical trial in adaptive radiotherapy (ART) for head and … [Continue reading]
All major surgical operations present both benefits and risks. The key to mitigating those risks is choosing a team of surgeons with a proven track record of safety. Dr. Feiz & Associates is a widely respected source for weight loss in Los Angeles , … [Continue reading]
The United States health care system is undergoing many notable changes. Among them are the incentives for hospitals to implement electronic health records (EHRs) by 2015. The purpose of this legislation is not to simply move a patient’s data from a … [Continue reading]
Chief Medical Information Officers (CMIOs) are playing increasingly key roles in their healthcare organizations with EMR projects and the move toward ACOs and most expect to receive a raise and a bonus this year, according to the CMIO Compensation … [Continue reading]
NTC welcomed two members to its full-time staff, David Ferguson and Maureen Kvam. They bring a wealth of knowledge to NTC and will form the basis of an entirely new department, the Business Development Team. This new department will be responsible … [Continue reading]
The national headquarters of Susan G. Komen reversed its decision regarding funding to Planned Parenthood. The organization apologized to the American public for decisions that cast doubt upon their commitment to their mission of saving … [Continue reading]
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, health insurance companies in Arizona are pursuing double-digit premium increases for more than 30 insurance health plans in the state. Officials from AARP Arizona are weighing-in … [Continue reading]
Citing the significant quality of life benefits that oral chemotherapy drugs can provide over intravenously (IV) administered chemotherapy, Maryland's cancer community, patient advocacy representatives and patients themselves called on the state … [Continue reading]
In the current environment, medical education groups are faced with the challenge of holding down costs while adding new programs and expanding into emerging markets. As a result, pharmaceutical and medical device leaders are beginning to leverage … [Continue reading]
On Feb. 3, 2012, Cardinal Health was granted a temporary restraining order against the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) immediate suspension order of its Lakeland, Fla. DEA registration. U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia … [Continue reading]
In 1962, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital opened its doors amid an emotionally charged debate regarding how to treat childhood cancer. At that time, few children with the most common form of childhood cancer survived, and many physicians … [Continue reading]
The Obama administration, to justify its widely criticized mandate for contraception and sterilization coverage in private health plans, has posted a set of false and misleading claims on the White House blog ("Health Reform, Preventive Services, and … [Continue reading]
Argos Therapeutics Inc. recently announced that updated results from an open label Phase 2 study of its Arcelis™ immunotherapy, AGS-003, in combination with sunitinib in patients with unfavorable risk, metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), had … [Continue reading]
Currently, there are more than 112,000 patients on the national organ transplant waiting list. These candidates often endure difficult yet necessary life-sustaining treatments while waiting for potential organ matches. Nineteen people die every day … [Continue reading]
A burgeoning market for healthcare peripherals and increasing smartphone processing power will result in the number of patients monitored by mobile networks to rise to 3 million by 2016, finds Juniper Research’s latest report on the mHealth sector. … [Continue reading]
The TIGR system was recently named one of the top 10 technologies of 2011 for empowering patients and their families through the recovery process. With “meaningful use” and patient satisfaction policies changing hospital reimbursements, hospitals … [Continue reading]
How many people do you know who have been affected by heart disease or stroke? How many have been your family members? Fifty-five-year-old Gail had lost nearly everyone in her family to cardiovascular disease and when she lost her father, too, she … [Continue reading]
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed what they believe to be the first clinical application of a new imaging technique to diagnose brain tumors. The unique test could preclude the need for surgery in patients whose tumors are … [Continue reading]
TeleHealth Services, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare-grade televisions and interactive patient engagement solutions, is partnering with Piedmont Healthcare (PHC) in implementing a comprehensive, customized patient-centered environment … [Continue reading]
While only one person could be named the official winner of the 25th Annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon, all who showed up to Zuma Beach left with a sense of victory as the competition raised more than $1.1 million for Children's Hospital Los Angeles. … [Continue reading]
Are you currently cut out for caregiving? Is Alzheimer’s disease within your midst, prodding ideas on how very best to soothe your degenerating mother or father? Whether or not the latter resides with you, or at assisted-living or nursing residences, … [Continue reading]
Among the issues that is essential to think about whenever you leave company America for your freedom of one's personal company is inexpensive wellness insurance coverage. Actually, the reason most often cited for NOT taking the plunge into … [Continue reading]
Giselle Singh is a 28 year-old single mom who struggled with her weight for years, trying nearly every weight-loss approach including dieting, exercise and weight-loss pills before changing her life with the Lap-Band® procedure. "Starting at … [Continue reading]
LUNGevity Foundation applauds the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recent approval of XALKORI® (crizotinib) to treat lung cancer. The drug, introduced by Pfizer, Inc. showed such promise in early trials that it was given "fast track" status by … [Continue reading]
"In preparation for Hurricane Irene and for the safety of Duane Reade's associates and customers, Duane Reade stores will begin closing at noon on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Selected locations will remain open until 9pm ET and all store locations … [Continue reading]
Saying the nation's Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) sector has contributed substantially to advancing well being care reform and deficit reduction in the encounter of serious state Medicaid funding pressures along with other main budgetary problems, … [Continue reading]
TeleHealth Services, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare-grade televisions and interactive patient education solutions, today announced a master agreement with Sentara Healthcare as part of the health system’s strategy to advance the patient … [Continue reading]
StreetDirectory.com has a great article about the unwiring of the healthcare industry. "Visit any hospital in Asia and you will see physicians walking along corridors of white anesthetized rooms visiting patients while holding flipcharts, … [Continue reading]
This afternoon, the Virginia Autism Project joined families and communities in Virginia in applauding Governor Robert McDonnell in signing Home Bill 2467 and Senate Bill 1062, which will become law effective January 1, 2012. This new law … [Continue reading]
Travel Insurance is insurance that's intended to cover medical expenses and monetary (such as cash invested in nonrefundable pre-payments) along with other losses incurred whilst traveling, either within one's own country, or … [Continue reading]
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized an Order that settles charges that NBTY, NatureSmart, and Rexall Sundown made false and unsupported claims that their Disney and Marvel Heroes line of children’s multivitamins contained a significant amount … [Continue reading]
The U.S. Department of Justice, via a request by the FTC, has asked a federal district court to impose civil penalties upon an herbal products company named "Daniel Chapter One (DCO)" and its principal, James Feijo, for allegedly violating an FTC … [Continue reading]
According to a new study by researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital and CVS Caremark, "Dispense as Written" Prescriptions costs the health care system up to $7.7 billion annually. About 5 percent of prescriptions … [Continue reading]
Topamax (topiramate), when taken by pregnant women, greatly increases the risk that their babies will develop birth defects, like cleft lips and cleft palates, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned recently. Alternative medications have lower … [Continue reading]
TeleHealth Services, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare grade televisions and interactive patient education solutions, today announced an extended partnership with Beloit Health System. Building upon a service relationship that TeleHealth … [Continue reading]
The alluring prize of the $25,000 marketing program awaits a health care organization through a unique initiative provided by the Stevens & Tate Marketing agency. Via its “Lend-A-Hand Marketing Giveaway” contest, the agency will blend its marketing … [Continue reading]
TeleHealth Solutions, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare-grade televisions and interactive patient training solutions, lately told Well being Plan Information that it has partnered with Nash Well being Care Methods as part of the hospital’s … [Continue reading]
-- Circadian and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center ("Cincinnati Children's") commences offering of first blood test diagnostic for LAM - a serious lung disease that is often undiagnosed. -- Number of tests expected to exceed 25,000 … [Continue reading]
SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following a recent recall of potentially contaminated non-sterile alcohol prep pads, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today reminded health care professionals about the safe use of … [Continue reading]
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Just as Blue Shield policyholders, nurses and consumer advocates arrived at Blue Shield's San Francisco headquarters today, the company announced it would delay its massive rate hikes by 60 days. … [Continue reading]
If you're a lady along with your mother had a stroke, you might have a risk of heart attack in addition to a higher threat of stroke, in accordance to new research on family members history and heart disease published within the American Heart … [Continue reading]
SOURCE: Company Nurse The Expanded Nurse Call Center Will Address Growing Number of Public and Private Employers Who Want to Make the "Right Call" for Their Injured … [Continue reading]
SOURCE: Metropolitan Anesthesia Consultants Healthcare Executive to Lead Operations and Business Development at Leading Physician-Only Anesthesia Group DALLAS, … [Continue reading]