> The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has completely revamped its Medicare marketing guidelines for Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans, prescription drug plans and Section 1876 cost plans, according to Transmittal 93. Transmittal
> Most people (96 percent) who think they are "well" or "adequately" insured also are somewhat to very satisfied with their health plans, according to a new telephone survey conducted by the consulting firm Deloitte LLP. However, 61 percent of people in employer-sponsored health plans expect their benefits to be reduced, and 32 percent expect their health coverage to be discontinued altogether. Survey results
> Gateway Health Plan, a Medicaid managed care plan based in Pittsburgh, will stop providing healthcare coverage in 17 Pennsylvania counties in September due to unsustainable Medicaid reimbursement rates, reports the Pittsburgh Business Times. Article
> Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama in Birmingham will end its Alabama Child Caring health insurance program on Jan. 1, 2011, saying that the expansion of Alabama's Medicaid program has made its own safety-net program superfluous. Press release
> Sanford Health Plan in Sioux Fall, S.D., has received approval from state regulators to sell group insurance coverage in North Dakota, reports InForum. Article
> NHealth claimed that health reform was forcing the startup health insurer to close up shop, igniting a political firestorm. However, Richmond-based nHealth lost millions long before the health reform legislation was signed into law this spring, reports Richmond BizSense. Article
> BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina in Columbia will automatically enroll members with diabetes or congestive heart failure who are seen by the Palmetto Health Family Medicine Center in a year-long patient-centered medical home pilot project. Press release
And Finally... A "communication breakdown" at a fast food drive-thru? How could that be? Article