Catastrophic plans not always the least expensive exchange option; Wellness program didn't lower costs;

News From Around the Web:

> Catastrophic policies offered throughout Florida, Illinois and Texas don't have the lowest premiums of plans sold on the health insurance exchange as expected, reported Crain's Chicago Business. Article

> The White House still cannot provide key demographic data about consumers who have enrolled in plans available through health insurance exchanges. But White House spokesperson Jay Carney said Monday the Obama administration will make the information "available as soon as possible," reported The Hill's Healthwatch. Article

> A wellness program that has been in place for more than seven years at PepsiCo hasn't actually lowered health costs, despite encouraging employees to adopt healthier habits, Reuters reported. Article

Health Providers News:

> New legislation has been introduced in the House that would make HealthCare.gov more secure. Article

Health IT News:

> The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has issued a proposed rule to ease HIPAA regulations preventing states from reporting to a database of people prohibited from owning guns for mental health reasons. Article

> Researchers at Cleveland Clinic have developed a new online tool that allows physicians to quickly predict the risk of colorectal cancer in individuals. Article

And Finally... Beards can make good nests. Article