News From Around the Web:
> Humana paid roughly $323,000 for CEO Bruce Broussard to commute to work using the company aircraft, reported the Associated Press. Article
> A D.C. Superior Court judge has approved AmeriHealth Mercy's purchase of Chartered Health Plan for $5 million, the Washington Business Journal reported. The deal is still contingent upon AmeriHealth winning a contract to compete for the Washington, D.C., Medicaid program. Article
> Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has signed an alternative quality contract with five-hospital system UMass Memorial Health Care, reported the Worcester Business Journal. Article
Provider News:
> When doctors know patients can see how well they deliver on measures of quality care, they are more motivated to work on improving quality, according to a new study published in the journal Health Affairs. Article
> The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is calling on providers to help halt the spread of a deadly bacteria that has proven resistant to last-resort antibiotics. Article
Health IT News
> Three out of four healthcare providers say their ICD-10 implementation process is only 25 percent or less complete and one-third have not yet started the process, according to a study by healthcare consultants Aloft Group. Article
> The AIDS United Foundation has awarded a $525,000 grant to the University of Virginia School of Medicine to develop a smartphone app to help provide critical support to people diagnosed with HIV in rural Virginia. Article
And Finally… Genetic disorders can't fool this female insect. Article