News From Around the Web
> Blue Care Network sold a surplus note to Blue Cross Complete, a Medicaid HMO which it owns. The $30 million note, sold at a 1.51 percent interest rate, serves as a subordinated security that pays interest at the end of a designated period and will keep the HMO financially solvent and in accordance with Michigan's reserve requirements, Crain's reported. Article
> The number of employers contributing to employee health savings accounts (HSA) decreased in 2014, the first time since 2009, and worker contributions to their own HSAs also dropped slightly in 2014, according to a recent report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Report (pdf)
> Despite big increases in revenue and membership, Independence Health Group, Independence Blue Cross's parent company, dropped its net income 52 percent to $69.2 billion in 2014. Officials cite the Affordable Care Act as the main reason for the drop. IBC President and CEO Daniel J. Hilferty remains optimistic, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported. Article
Health IT News
> Hospitals and health system CIOs both stressed the need for patient identifiers in comments sent late last week to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT on its draft roadmap. Article
> In an effort to look at the severity of cyberthreats in healthcare, HITRUST will perform a comprehensive study to better understand the magnitude and reasons behind attacks on the industry. Article
And finally… Dallas Museum of Art's newest exhibit. Article