100 Highmark workers in Pennsylvania laid off; UHC, Carolinas Healthcare System failed to reach new agreement;

News From Around the Web

> Nearly 100 Highmark workers in Pennsylvania lost their jobs Friday as the state's largest insurer continues to cut costs, reported Trib Live. The layoffs intend to help Highmark remain competitive and meet the organization's financial and operational goals. Article

> In a bizarre Supreme Court case last week, the high court discussed the metaphysical status of a fish, and whether it is, in fact, "a tangible object," reported Bloomberg. How does this relate to the ACA? In the case pertaining to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Court decided that a tangible object--the phrase being called into question--needed to be read in context of the entire statute. The same argument will be made Wednesday as the Court hears the King v. Burwell oral arguments. Article

> UnitedHealth and Carolinas Healthcare System were unable to reach a new contract over the weekend, leaving some 80,000 UHC members to pay out-of-network costs if they want to see a doctor within the Carolinas system, reported WSOCTV.com. Article

Practice Management News

> Despite lingering challenges, most providers plan to take advantage of Medicare's new code for chronic care management, according to preliminary results of a survey conducted by population health technology developer Kryptiq. Article

> Physician health programs across the country have been busier in recent years treating doctors for problems such as substance abuse, impairment, physical illness and burnout. In part, the increase is due to an effect similar to global warming, Steven Adelman, M.D., a psychiatrist, addiction medicine physician, and director of Massachusetts Physician Health Services, told Medscape. Article

And finally … Because it's Monday, you should probably make these bacon crackers. Article