News From Around the Web:
> Blue Shield of California might take over a three-year contract for Los Angeles city workers currently held by Anthem Blue Cross, the Los Angeles Times reported. The city council approved the switch, but Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa must still sign off on the deal. Article
> Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina launched a new tool to help consumers understand how their insurance coverage might change under the health reform law, reported the Winston-Salem Journal. Called Blue Map, the tool describes several regulatory issues, including essential health benefits, eligibility requirements to keep current plans, premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. Article
Health Provider News:
> Almost 82 percent of unscheduled hospital admissions come through the emergency department, a large increase from the last decade when only 64 percent of unscheduled admissions came through the ED. Article
> If pediatric doctors maintained longer office hours, they could reduce emergency department use. Article
Health IT News:
> A new proposed rule would give health insurance exchanges one hour to report security incidents upon discovery of a breach. Article
> Twitter combined with mobile devices are a more effective method for capturing real-time food consumption and diet-related behavior. Article
And Finally... Shock therapy to boost attractiveness? Article