A study in Health Affairs furthers the view that higher professional labor costs are one source of excess health spending in the United States, but not a major contributor.
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A timely report from Mark Farrah Associates examines enrollment and profits for the largest health plan companies.
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A CMS demonstration for health care focused on intensive care, for Medicare beneficiaries with heavy health needs shows early promise.
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The news is full of speculation regarding large health plans buying each other, which likely wouldn't be good for consumers or shareholders of surviving companies.
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Research published in Health Affairs finds that increased concentration among orthopedic surgeons in a market is associated with higher fees.
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The annual SureScripts National Progress Report gives details on electronic health care transactions, particularly in the pharmacy world.
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A survey from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans examines the effect of the reform law on employment-based health insurance.
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The Society of Actuaries releases a study examining unsatisfied demand for health services among the newly insured, which may impact overall utilization.
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PWC's Health Research Institute gives us its current guess on 2016's medical trend, which it projects to be down slightly from what is being experienced this year, but the reasoning…
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An article in the American Journal of Managed Care contains results of a survey of health plan care management programs.
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A Rand survey gives information on wellness program and associated incentive designs.
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A brief from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examines the impact of the reform law's MLR requirements on insurers.
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As high deductible insurance plans continue to cover more Americans, the Employee Benefit Research Institute gives details on the characteristics of enrollees compared to the population at large.
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A new study of pay-for-performance programs finds modest results overall, but better quality improvement for the initially worst-performing physicians.
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The Altarum Institute's briefs on health spending, health care prices and utilization for May 2015 are available and support the notion that spending growth is accelerating.
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About this Blog
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.