News From Around the Web
> The new Aetna Abilities plan is designed for employers with return-to-work programs and strong commitments to employee health. Under the program, employees are eligible to receive customized action plan based on their circumstances, which include a change in their ability to work, illness or pregnancy. The options include stay-at-work or return-to-work plans. Announcement
> Massachusetts' four largest nonprofit health insurers--Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts Health Plan and Fallon Health--said last week that large taxes and fees related to the ACA are to blame for a combined loss of $124 million in operations during the first quarter of 2015, reported the Boston Globe. Article
> Health insurance brokers appear to be more optimistic than last year, according to a recent survey from Oliver Wyman. Of those questioned, only one-third expect their commissions to fall this year, compared to a half almost a year ago. Survey
Health Provider News
> An advisory panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urged the agency to better protect patients from specialized medical scopes linked to recent superbug outbreaks. Article
> Post-discharge care is a major priority for the healthcare industry, but normally it focuses on patients who are at high risk due to factors such as chronic conditions. When community violence hospitalizes--and continues to pose a risk to--a patient population, the solution is more complicated. Article
And finally … Beaver leaves hardware store empty-handed. Article