> Aetna and Phoenix-based hospital network Banner Health are boosting their accountable care organization with a "technology stack" and improved coordination of care, reported FierceMobileHealthcare. Improvements include using the Aetna-owned mobile app iTriage to allow patients to pre-register for appointments via smartphone. Article
> Arizona regulators want authority to review insurers' individual health insurance rate hikes. Instead of deferring to the federal government's review, the Arizona Department of Insurance wants to scrutinize rate hike requests of more than 10 percent, reported the Arizona Daily Star. Article
> The Maryland State Medical Society wants legislation passed to prevent insurers from using "tricks," that are still legal in the state, such as prior authorization and step therapy, reported Insurance & Financial Advisor. Article
> Health Care Service Corp., the parent of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and other Blues plans, paid CEO Patricia Hemingway Hall more than $12.9 million in 2011, a 61 percent raise from the prior year, according to Crain's Chicago Business. Her total compensation included an $11.8 million bonus, a 69 percent above her 2010 bonus of $7 million. In addition, the company's 10 highest-paid executives collectively earned $41.7 million, which is 65 percent more than the $25.3 million they were paid in 2010. Article
> And Finally… Want to change yourself? Pick up a good novel. Article