News From Around the Web
> A newly released app from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) lets users search for NCQA-accredited plans and NCQA-recognized clinicians and physician in practice up to 100 miles of their location. It also provides in-depth data on insurance plans offered by employers, Medicare and Medicaid and online marketplace exchanges. Article
> A two-year-old class action lawsuit alleging Nike and Apple misled consumers in advertising regarding the capabilities of the Nike+ FuelBand has been settled, according to a MacRumors report. Consumers who bought the wristband in the past three years are eligible for a $15 payment or $25 gift card. Article
Healthcare News
> Hospitals can improve patient outcomes, teamwork and surgeons' compliance with care quality standards using a performance assessment common among Fortune 500 companies, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Article
> A new study presents some troubling findings when it comes to the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs in hospitals across the country. The antibiotic-resistant bacteria, once thought to be less "fit" than other strains, in fact survive better and cause more deadly infections, according to the findings. Article
Payer News
> The federal government could save anywhere between $15.2 billion and $16 billion annually if it negotiated Medicare Part D prescription prices with drug makers, suggests a paper published by Carleton University and Public Citizen. As the paper's authors point out, the high levels of deductibles and out-of-pocket copayments are the main reason why so many Americans cannot afford to fill their prescriptions. Article
And Finally… Snakes had feet?! Article