News From Around the Web:
> Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is launching a new program that pays its members $20 a month if they visit participating fitness centers at least 12 times during the month, reported the Philadelphia Business Journal. Article
> Health Care Service Corp. is dropping plans to build a 100-employee call center in Minnesota as part of its deal to buy Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana because it didn't receive "reasonable assurance" from state regulators that the merger would be approved, reported the Billings Gazette. Article
> Highmark has acquired Triangle Urological Group, the biggest independent medical practice in western Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported. Article
> California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones again slammed Anthem Blue Cross for implementing "excessive and unreasonable" rate hikes on small employers, the Sacramento Business Journal reported. "It's deja vu all over again," Jones told reporters in a media call. "The rate filing data does not support the increase." Article
Health Provider News:
> As hospitals crack down on disruptive workers, healthcare leaders must be armed with information on how to handle disruptive and inappropriate behaviors. Article
> Doctors are increasingly fighting back against negative online reviews, filing lawsuits against patients and their family members who post them. Article
Health IT News:
> A tiny implantable device developed by Swiss scientists is designed to act as a portable, personal blood testing laboratory to provide immediate analysis of substances that can then be transmitted to a doctor over a cellular phone network. Article
> The Obama Administration has officially launched its Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative to study Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Article
And Finally… Be a downer so you can live longer? Article