gt california
ALSO NOTED: Walgreens opens Milwaukee retail clinics; CA counties plan disease mgmt pilot; and much more...
> Chain drug store operator Walgreens plans to open 10 to 15 retail clinics in the Milwaukee area over the next 12 months. The Walgreens offering will compete with Aurora Health Care's QuickCare clinics. Article
> California's Los Angeles and Alameda counties have contracted with McKesson to run a pilot disease management program. McKesson will work Medi-Cal patients, who …
... Read more...ALSO NOTED: First-year cancer costs high; Nemours dumps BCBS of Florida; and much more...
> In 2005, cancer patients spent roughly $2.3 billion in traveling to, waiting for and getting care in the first year of diagnosis--a number which only climbs as the disease progresses. Article
> Pediatric physician group Nemours has dumped its contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, leaving thousands of BCBS of Florida enrollees with higher bills for …
... Read more...ALSO NOTED: UK doctor salaries boosted by P4P; NJ may expand MH benefits; and much more...
> U.K. general practitioners got a 30 percent annual salary boost this year, spurred by pay for performance incentives. Article
> A bill traveling through the New Jersey legislature would expand the mental health and substance abuse benefits state insurers must provide. Article
> A family has sued the …
... Read more...ALSO NOTED: Medcor won't enter retail clinic business; Hospitals deals with Munchausen by proxy cases; and much more...
> Despite its potential, clinic operator Medcor isn't hot after the walk-in retail clinic business. Here's why. Article
> How one hospital is dealing with cases of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Letter
> Interested in leaving medicine for a big, fat consulting paycheck? You, …
... Read more...ALSO NOTED: Delays for Mass. uninsured; Calif. prison health too expensive; and much more...
> More than 100,000 uninsured workers will be unable to sign up for new subsidized health plans in Massachusetts by the nominal October 1 deadline, because there hasn't been enough time to get systems in place since the universal coverage law was passed in April. The delay bodes ill for full implementation of the law by July 1, 2007. Story
> California taxpayers …
... Read more...ALSO NOTED: Wellpoint announces 360 Health; Memorial Hermann expands upward; and much more...
> Wellpoint announces 360 Health, which it claims is "the industry's first program to integrate all care management programs and tools into a centralized, consumer-friendly resource that assists members in navigating the healthcare system, using their health benefits and providing information to help them to access comprehensive and appropriate care." The service includes the opportunity for members to compile a personal health record. Other insurers, including Aetna, have announced …
... Read more...ALSO NOTED: St. Luke's to continue care for heart patient; CIGNA shares drop on Q1 numbers; and much more...
> Officials at St. Luke's Episcopal in Houston said they will continue to provide care to a terminally ill heart patient. Pro-life groups had protested the hospital's decision to withhold treatment. Article
> University Hospitals Health System of Cleveland has changed names. The provider will be known as Case Medical Center. …
... Read more...ALSO NOTED: U.S. death rate falls; Calif. HIV law goes into effect; and much more...
> The U.S. death rate fell by nearly 50,000 as deaths from cancer, heart disease and stroke all dropped. Surprised officials are calling the turnaround "remarkable." Article
> California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed into law a bill requiring name-based HIV reporting in the state. The new law goes into effect today. …
... Read more...ALSO NOTED: Group estimates EMR market worth $8.4 billion over next 4 years; Crawford to take lobbying job; and much more...
> Laura Landro examines a new Medicare health-support pilot program that will study the impact of better care coordination for patients with multiple chronic conditions. Healthways, Aetna, Cigna and Health Dialog are participants. Article (WSJ sub. req.)
> Nuance Communications makes a play for the healthcare dictation and transcription services market, …
... Read more...ALSO NOTED: Starbucks spends more on healthcare than coffee; Calif. to ban junk food in schools; and much more...
> Starbucks has always taken pride in the health coverage it offers workers. The company now spends more on healthcare costs than it does on coffee. Story
> California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to sign the nation's toughest legislation against junk food in schools. …
... Read more...