News From Around the Web
> Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota recently named Jay Matushak as its new senior vice president and chief financial officer. Matushak joins BCBSMN after having worked with UnitedHealth Group for 14 years. Announcement
> The uninsured rate for Americans ages 50 to 64 dropped from 11.6 percent in December 2013 to 8 percent in December 2014, according to a recent study from AARP. The 27 states that expanded Medicaid experienced the greatest drop in uninsured. Study (.pdf)
> Premium averages varied greatly for non-smokers enrolled in exchange-only health plans as opposed to those in on- and off-exchange plans, according to a recent study from Health Pocket. For instance, the monthly average premium for non-smokers ages 30 to 39 in exchange-only silver plans was $317, while the average for on- and off-exchanges was $297. Study
Health Finance News
> Florida Gov. Rick Scott has asked for financial information from most of the hospitals in the Sunshine State, and many of them are telling them to go look it up himself, according to the Jacksonville Business Journal. Article
> Is it truly possible for hospitals to become more productive, providing patients with better care for less money? Apparently yes, according to recent research that examined productivity growth in U.S. hospitals that treated Medicare patients who had a heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia during 2002-2011. Article
And finally … Selfie phenomenon reaches elephants. Article