ShapeUp, another of the plethora of companies operating in the health and wellness space, has raised an additional $7.5 million to expand its mobile capabilities in wellness program engagement and operation.
From the we told you so department, early enrollments at the health exchange suggest young people aren't buying, which means an adverse selection shock for the health plans. Now we know why the large insurers very wisely largely stayed out of the exchanges.
In a truly baffling decision, HHS has decided to allow drug manufacturers to offer copay assistance to purchasers of commercial health plans on the health exchanges. The practice raises costs for everyone by encouraging inappropriate use of very expensive drugs.
A Wall Street Journal article notes the difficulties medical device startups are having in finding funding, largely due to more extensive regulation and reimbursement pressures. Innovative treatment development will suffer, as will patients.
Medseek, a provider of software to hospitals and other provider organizations, has acquired SymphonyCare, which offers population health management tools for providers. This acquisition is part of the ongoing trend for HIT vendors to offer broader wellness and care management solutions to providers, particularly those at risk for care costs.
Inventiv has acquired medication adherence firm Catalina Health and will combine it with its Adheris unit to improve patient specific messaging around drug use.
According to the National Federation for Independent Business, 64% of small businesses are continuing to see higher premiums in the wake of the reform law, even after benefit changes, and the increases affect investment and hiring.
According to Levin Associates health care M & A activity was up 16% in the third quarter of 2013 over the second quarter and 20% over the comparable period in 2012. The 267 transactions, however, had a 35% greater value than the prior year third quarter deals. Biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, long-term care and hospitals were very active sub-sectors.
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.
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.