News From Around the Web:
> Health Net plans has been creating low-cost, narrow-network plans it intends to offer on health insurance exchanges in 13 regions in California as well as Oregon, LifeHealthPro reported. Article
> Minnesota regulators want insurers to voluntarily disclose their premiums for plans sold on the state's health insurance exchange by Sept. 6, even though the new marketplace doesn't open for enrollment until Oct. 1, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported. Article
> Humana said its senior vice president and chief strategy and corporate development officer is leaving the company. As of Aug. 1, Paul Kusserow will give up his title; however, he could continue as a Humana employee for up to nine months, according to Business First. Article
Health Provider News:
> U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asked a group of female bloggers to help educate the public about new benefits under the reform law. Article
> Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center agreed to pay $5.3 million to settle allegations that it submitted improper Medicare claims for inpatient admissions that should have been billed as observation services, the U.S. Department of Justice announced. Article
Health IT News:
> Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are urging the federal government to make the Medicare claims database open and freely accessible to the public. Article
> Recently introduced legislation calls for a one-year delay in the launch of the controversial data hub that will connect state health insurance exchanges with federal agencies. Article
And Finally... It's too loud in here ... for the fish. Article