> UnitedHealth has created a new claims submission website allowing physicians to file claims in real time. The health plan says the system can confirm patient costs within 10 seconds. Article [1]
> A group of California lawmakers and consumer advocates are pushing for state regulation of medical insurance rates, similar to rules that already govern auto insurance. Article [2]
> Medicare plans to pass out $30 million to states to develop programs to counsel beneficiaries. Article [3]
> Military officials are considering closing Walter Reed Army Medical Center as soon as possible, rather than waiting until 2011 as planned. Article [4]
> Analysts are predicting that the HIV medication market will grow to $10.6 billion by 2015, driven partly by new drugs such as Pfizer's CCR5 inhibitor [5] Celsentri and Merck's integrase inhibitor Isentress. Article [6]
> The U.S. Senate has passed two bills that would increase federal funding of stem cell research. Report [7]
And Finally... They don't come better connected than Tenet's newest board member. Article [8]
Links:
[1] http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2007/04/09/daily31.html?b=1176091200^1446091
[2] http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-health12apr12,1,7828674.story
[3] http://www.upi.com/Health_Business/Briefing/2007/04/11/medicare_gives_30m_for_senior_counseling/
[4] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/11/AR2007041101234.html
[5] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/new-hiv-drugs-offer-breakthrough-therapies/2007-02-28
[6] http://www.upi.com/Health_Business/Analysis/2007/04/11/analysis_hiv_market_to_top_10_billion/
[7] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/senate-backs-two-bills-to-fund-stem-cell-research/2007-04-12
[8] http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2007/04/09/daily30.html?b=1176091200^1446386