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The next makeover

By Shawn Rhea
October 19, 2009
Elliot Health System President and CEO Doug Dean doesn't tell a happy story about his hospital's foray into the world of managed care some 15 years ago.
... FULL STORY

The fix isn't in

By Jennifer Lubell
September 21, 2009
As members of Congress roll up their sleeves to complete the huge task of reforming the healthcare system, there's little confidence that the final package will contain a permanent fix to Medicare's formula that sets payments for physicians.
... FULL STORY

For exchange students

By Rebecca Vesely
August 17, 2009
Answering questions during a webcast earlier this month, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sought to clear up some confusion about how the Obama administration is proposing to reform healthcare. Would consumers continue to have health insurance choices under the proposed system? “No one will be forced into any plan,” Sebelius responded. “A new health insurance exchange will have consumers choosing options.”
... FULL STORY

How will it end?

By Rebecca Vesely
July 20, 2009
At a nationally televised town hall meeting on healthcare reform last month, President Barack Obama was asked whether he would pay out-of-pocket for care if a close family member was extremely ill and the treatment was not covered by insurance.
... FULL STORY

New tourist attractions

By Jennifer Lubell
June 15, 2009
Galichia Heart Hospital in Wichita, Kan., recently decided that it could break into a market monopolized by overseas hospitals—and offer high-quality, more-convenient care to patients. In conducting research of medical tourism options in other countries, “we visited hospitals in Singapore, India and the Philippines—the biggest areas drawing Americans,” says Steve Harris, the 85-bed hospital’s CEO.
... FULL STORY

New gender agenda

By Rebecca Vesely
May 18, 2009
The longstanding practice of gender rating by health insurers—charging women higher rates than men for the same plan—is getting fresh scrutiny as lawmakers work to reshape the health insurance system.
... FULL STORY

Feeling COBRA’s bite

By Rebecca Vesely
May 18, 2009
Listening to health insurers and employers lately, COBRA starts to sound like a fitting name for the federal program that allows laid-off workers to extend their employer-sponsored health benefits. Like the eponymous snake, the COBRA program is lying in wait, ready to strike at profit margins, some health plans are warning.
... FULL STORY

Three flee fee-for-service Medicare

By Rebecca Vesely
May 11, 2009
Three health insurers will no longer offer Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service, or PFFS, plans starting next year, indicating that tighter federal regulations for these controversial plans, which go into effect in 2011, are causing insurers to rethink this line of business.
... FULL STORY

Undercovered exposed

By Rebecca Vesely
April 20, 2009
As attention in Washington turns to healthcare reform, consumer advocates are warning about the growing problem of the underinsured—those with low coverage limit health plans through their employer or on the individual market who continue to struggle with high medical bills and often forgo medical care.
... FULL STORY

Fee-for-service punching bag

By Matthew DoBias
April 13, 2009
It’s no secret that the Obama administration and other Democratic leaders have had their sights set on the Medicare Advantage program for a while now. Few, however, expected them to pounce so quickly.
... FULL STORY
 
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