Horizon's OMNIA Could Change Maternity Patterns in New Jersey
November 30th 2015Two separate lawsuits have challenged the health insurance plan, which seeks to give some hospitals lower reimbursements in exchange for directing large numbers of patients their way. After business hours, the attorney for a group of hospitals said regulators declined to stay their approval of the tiered network.
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Pharmaceutical Advertising Increased Prescription Drug Utilization, Study Reports
November 30th 2015Relaxed direct-to-consumer advertising restrictions for drugs by the FDA in 1997 has precipitated an increase in prescription drug utilization, not just among Medicare enrollees, but also among non-elderly users.
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What We're Reading: Spanish HealthCare.gov Lags in Sign-ups
November 30th 2015What we're reading, November 30, 2015: the Spanish language HealthCare.gov is lagging in sign-ups; the overall federal insurance exchange has fewer preferred provider organizations; and many Americans don't understand why they need the flu vaccine.
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This Week in Managed Care: November 28, 2015
November 28th 2015This week in managed care, CMS proposed changes to the health insurance marketplaces for 2017, AJMC highlights 5 takeaways from the HHS Pharmaceutical Forum, CVS chose to cover just 1 PCSK9, and industry reacts to FDA regulating diagnostic tests.
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At Thanksgiving, Take Time to Collect Family Medical History
November 25th 2015Waiting until there's a cancer diagnosis or other crisis is not the time to be taking the family's medical history. Testing companies and genetic counselors encourage families to share information when they are all in one place.
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What We're Reading: Coke Interfered With Work of Anti-Obesity Group
November 25th 2015What we're reading, November 25, 2015: UnitedHealthcare's decision on healthcare exchange participation, Democratic Presidential candidate's health plan, and conflict of interest between soda company and anti-obesity research group.
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Drinking Patterns More Alike Between Men and Women, NIH Reports
November 25th 2015The study was released Thanksgiving week. The Wednesday before the holiday has become one of the most dangerous nights of the year, with the number of violations for driving under the influence higher than Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.
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What We're Reading: Hospitals Can Save More Money With Private Rooms
November 25th 2015What we're reading, November 25, 2015: hospitals can save money in the long run by preventing hospital-acquired infections with private rooms; Arizona's co-op plans to close December 31; and study finds testing prison inmates for hepatitis C is extremely cost-effective.
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Americans' Satisfaction With Healthcare Quality, Cost, and Coverage No Better Than Before the ACA
November 24th 2015Despite changes to the United States healthcare system, Americans' overall satisfaction with the total cost they pay for healthcare has been stable over the past 14 years, according to a Gallup survey, which also found little changes in satisfaction with healthcare quality and coverage.
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ACP Recommendations on Concierge, Other Direct Patient-Contracting Practices
November 24th 2015Physician interest in concierge and other direct patient contracting practices is driven by frustration with reimbursement and billing hassles and a desire to spend more time with patients, but there is limited evidence on these practices' impact on cost, quality, and access to care.
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Most in US Report Personal Connection to Painkiller Abuse
November 24th 2015The Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll periodically gauges public opinion on important health issues. It found 56% of Americans had some connection to the painkiller epidemic and 16% knew someone who had died.
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CVS Strikes Deal for Repatha Only; 18,000 Enroll in Long-term Praluent CV Outcomes Trial
November 24th 2015Terms of the deal with the second-largest pharmacy benefit manager were not disclosed. Pricing for the PCSK9 inhibitor class has been a source of controversy since the cholesterol-fighting drugs were approved this summer.
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