News From Around the Web:
> Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) claimed the reform law's medial-loss ratio could lead to fraudulent activity, reported The Hill's Healthwatch. Because most insurers' anti-fraud efforts are considered administrative expenses, they fall under the MLR's 20 percent of spending. Article
> UnitedHealth and Providence-based health system Lifespan have entered into a "shared savings" program similar to an accountable care organization. The agreement focuses on collaborative care and paying for quality instead of quantity, the Associated Press reported. Article
Provider News:
> Price transparency can educate emergency doctors about costs associated with certain procedures and, as a result, help hospitals address inefficiencies that drive up costs, researchers said. Article
> About 40 percent of doctors aren't willing to participate in accountable care organizations, mostly because they fear ACOs will take away their control of care. Article
Health IT News:
> Developing a computer-based intervention to improve medication adherence among HIV patients becomes more cost-effective the longer patients stay on track and as the number of users grows. Article
> New research finds that using a Nintendo Wii might be a helpful and inexpensive part of supplemental training for young laparoscopic surgeons. Article
And Finally… Put some bacteria on that pimple. Article