News From Around the Web:
> Humana's chief financial officer, James Bloem, will retire at the end of the year. After working for the insurer for the last 12 years, Bloem will help Humana find his successor, Fox Business reported. Article
> Harvard Pilgrim Health Care recently launched an online tool that helps its members research costs of certain procedures and services. The tool also lets members compare providers' prices and keep track of their deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, reported the Worcester Business Journal. Article
Provider News:
> Board members at two California hospitals recently defended paying their top executives annual salaries of roughly $800,000 each. Article
> Incentivizing doctors leads to better patient engagement and a more open dialogue, according to panelists at an Institute of Medicine workshop. Article
Health IT News:
> Low-income patients of public health clinics want to communicate with their doctors online, even though these "safety-net" facilities don't usually offer such patient portals or secure messaging. Article
> Mobile apps to self-monitor exercise and diet are more effective than traditional weight loss methods. Article
And Finally… Do low expectations result in longer lives? Article