Tennessee Blues CEO says reform will lead to 'cost explosion;' Missouri exchange lacks three big insurers;

News From Around the Web:

> Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee CEO Bill Gracey says health reform will lead to a "cost explosion" because the law only addresses the issue of medical access, not costs, reported the Nashville Business Journal. Article

> The federally-run exchange in Missouri won't include plans from the three largest insurers operating in the state--UnitedHealth, Cigna and Assurant Health, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Article

Health Provider News:

> The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said nine Pioneer accountable care organizations are leaving the experimental program. Seven of the ACOs didn't produce savings and intend to apply to the alternative ACO model, the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Article

> Although physician practice acquisition continues to grow, partnerships aren't always beneficial to hospitals or physicians. Doctors often are disillusioned about how much their practices are worth when selling to a hospital or health system. Article

Health IT News:

> The American Hospital Association and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association have assured Congress that its members are on track to implement ICD-10 on time. Article

> Some hospital employees in Los Angeles have been fired after snooping into one celebrity's medical file. Article

And Finally... They may be slimy, but the Japanese say they give good facials. Article