ARLINGTON, Va., March 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico signed legislation capping monthly copayments for insulin at $25, making New Mexico the third state to enact a co-pay cap—with the lowest dollar amount for a co-pay cap introduced at the state level to date. Insulin affordability is a critical issue facing millions of Americans, with the price of insulin nearly tripling between 2002 and 2013. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) applauds Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and bill sponsors Senator Daniel A. Ivey-Soto and Representative Micaela Lara Cadena for their leadership on this urgently needed legislation to provide relief from the burden of high insulin costs for people living with diabetes in New Mexico. [Read more…]

BOSTON and SAN FRANCISCO, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Edgewood Healthcare Advisors, a division of EPIC, announced today that Matthew LeBlanc has been named Healthcare Practice Leader for the Eastern Region reporting to Susan Tewhill, National Healthcare Practice Leader for Edgewood Healthcare Advisors. [Read more…]

CHICAGO, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Hub International Limited (Hub), a leading global insurance brokerage, announced today that it has acquired LSM Insurance Services Ltd. (LSM). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Markham, Ontario, Canada, LSM is a leading online provider of life and health insurance solutions. The LSM team has a combined 100 years of experience in the life insurance industry. LSM specializes in the hard-to-insure market and helps find affordable life insurance solutions for clients with health issues. Lorne Marr, Owner and Director of LSM, will join Hub Financial Inc., a subsidiary of Hub.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us,” said Mr. Marr. “We look forward to helping Hub Financial build the most robust lead generation program in the industry.”

Hub combines extensive sales training and coaching with industry-leading back office support and exceptional technology to provide financial advisors and insurance brokers, with access to development tools and education while maintaining their independence and self-governance. With offices in 15 cities across Canada, Hub Financial Inc. is one of Canada’s largest distributors of life insurance and investment solutions to advisors with the convenience of local support and the security of national scope and size.

About Hub’s M&A Activities
Hub International Limited is committed to growing organically and through acquisitions to expand its geographic footprint and strengthen industry and product expertise. For more information on the Hub M&A experience, visit WeAreHub.com.

About Hub International
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Hub International Limited is a leading full-service global insurance broker providing property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits, investment and risk management products and services. With more than 12,000 employees in offices located throughout North America, Hub’s vast network of specialists provides peace of mind on what matters most by protecting clients through unrelenting advocacy and tailored insurance solutions. For more information, please visit www.hubinternational.com.

SOURCE Hub International Limited

HARTFORD, Conn., March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation recently announced that nominations are open for its Healthy Food, Healthy Community Award, which will recognize one non-profit organization in Connecticut that is making an impact by connecting healthy food to families. The non-profit will be awarded $5,000 by the Foundation. [Read more…]

TAMPA, Fla., March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Peerfit, the digital health company that works with employers and insurance carriers to fully fund fitness experiences for their employees and members, announced today that Ulya Khan, a former Tivity Health Chief Operating and Product Officer and industry veteran, has joined its board of directors. [Read more…]

SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH), a leading private online health insurance exchange, today announced that Scott Flanders, Chief Executive Officer will present at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 10:15 a.m. E.T. This event will be held at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. [Read more…]

CHICAGO, Feb. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), the largest customer-owned health insurer in U.S., has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the 2020 World’s Most Ethical Companies®. [Read more…]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) released today new research which shows the significant financial costs facing consumers treated for five serious conditions while enrolled in short-term health plans: lymphoma, heart attack, lung cancer, diabetes and mental health hospitalizations. [Read more…]

ATLANTA, Feb. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Lawrence Thompson, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer at Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions (AMPS) has been selected to moderate the opening keynote, “Election 2020: The Future of Health Care in America,” on February 25, 2020, at the HCAA Executive Forum at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. [Read more…]

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — UnityPoint Accountable Care (UAC) is announcing more than $9.5 million in shared savings based on quality and cost performance in the Medicare Next Generation Accountable Care Organization Model. As a subsidiary of UnityPoint Health and one of the largest accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the nation, UAC saw total shared savings of $9,534,791.31 for the 2018 calendar year. [Read more…]

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH), a leading private online health insurance exchange, announces today its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. [Read more…]

SUNRISE, Fla., Feb. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — A bullying prevention initiative designed to promote inclusion among students was celebrated at three Florida schools this month with the help of Sunshine Health. The schools included Skyway Elementary and Twin Lakes Elementary in Miami, and J.E.B. Stuart Middle in Jacksonville.

Representatives from Sunshine Health hosted an assembly at each school in honor of National No One Eats Alone® Day, created by the non-profit Beyond Differences™. More than 750 students participated in activities designed to teach them about social isolation and the negative impact it can have on a student’s health and academic performance. The students engaged in a simple act of kindness at lunch – making sure no one is eating alone by sitting with students they didn’t know. They were given icebreaker topics to spur conversations and highlight their commonalities.

Social isolation affects millions of students and has been identified as a precursor to bullying, self-harm and community violence. Students have shown that if they are given the tools, they will stand up for others as empathetic and caring activists, not passive bystanders.

“We recognize the negative impacts bullying and social isolation can have on a child’s overall health,” said Chris Coffey, CEO of Sunshine Health. “We are proud to partner with Beyond Differences to celebrate No One Eats Alone Day and raise awareness about social issues impacting the health of our children.”

“Social isolation is a preventable public health problem,” said Laura Talmus, co-founder and executive director of Beyond Differences. “We’ve learned through teachers and families that No One Eats Alone Day is a powerful step and positive initiative that can change the culture in schools to be a more welcoming place for all.”

The three Florida schools joined more than 2,500 schools across the country to celebrate No One Eats Alone Day. The initiative reached more than 1 million students in all 50 states. No One Eats Alone Day is sponsored by the Centene Charitable Foundation.

About Sunshine Health

Headquartered in Sunrise, Fla., Sunshine Health is among the largest healthcare plans in Florida. Offering coordinated care and a network of support for more than 1 million members, Sunshine Health is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. Sunshine Health is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Sunshine Health offers government-sponsored managed care through Medicaid, Long Term Care, Ambetter (Marketplace) and Allwell (Medicare). Additionally, we offer a specialty Medicaid health plan for

children in or adopted from Florida’s Child Welfare system. For more information, visit SunshineHealth.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SunHealthFL.

SOURCE Sunshine Health

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today it will present at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference, to be held at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, March 10-12, 2020. [Read more…]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Global law firm Ropes & Gray today announced the arrival of three health care lawyers – J. Harold Richards, Michael J. McDougall and Alex J. Talley – who join the firm in Washington, D.C. as counsel. Their arrival follows that of Stephanie Webster, one of the nation’s top health care lawyers and appellate litigators, who recently joined the firm as a partner in Washington, D.C. [Read more…]

NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY), one of New York’s largest primary and specialty care practices and part of the EmblemHealth family of companies, today announced the opening of an innovative, employee-focused medical office at its 55 Water Street headquarters in New York City. [Read more…]

ATLANTA, Feb. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Aetna, a CVS Health company (NYSE: CVS), is now offering fully insured and self-insured health care network options to its Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Exclusive Product Organization (EPO) product portfolios through Aetna Whole HealthSM – Atlanta. [Read more…]

BURLINGTON, Mass. and MANCHESTER, N.H., Feb. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Groups Recover Together has announced an executed agreement with AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire that will allow its members to receive care from any of Groups’ eight locations throughout the state. AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire, is a managed care organization (MCO) that began serving New Hampshire Medicaid enrollees in September 2019 and is part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies. [Read more…]

SEATTLE, Feb. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Accolade, a personalized health and benefits solution for employers, health plans and their members, welcomes ServiceNow Chief Talent Officer Pat Wadors to its board of directors. Putting people first is at the core of Accolade’s strategy and Pat Wadors’ personal and professional passion, and drove her interest in joining the Accolade board of directors. [Read more…]

Is Small Business Health Insurance Plans Difficult to Understand? Dangers

Many entrepreneurs think small business health insurance plans are complicated and expensive. But is this really true? Let’s have a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with them. [Read more…]

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Nov. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) partnered with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Earthquake Country Alliance, PrepItForward and the Inland Empire Disabilities Collaborative to host the first public Disability & Access and Functional Needs (DAFN) Preparedness Academy on November 6, 2019. The preparedness academy aimed to meet a state initiative to improve inclusivity of preparedness, response and recovery capabilities for all throughout the Inland Empire, regardless of ability. [Read more…]

ALHAMBRA, Calif., Nov. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc. (“ApolloMed” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: AMEH), an integrated population health management company, announced its consolidated financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 today. [Read more…]

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Today, New York Edge, the largest provider of afterschool programs in the metropolitan region, announced a partnership with Fidelis Care, a leading health plan providing quality, affordable coverage for more than 1.7 million New Yorkers. Through the partnership, a variety of health and wellness programs will be provided to New York Edge students and their families during the 2019-2020 academic year. [Read more…]

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) is offering a number of new plan options to its already extensive, high-quality, low-cost Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan offerings during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) running now through Dec. 7, 2019. [Read more…]

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Results from a new survey released today by eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) (eHealth.com) show that consumers not receiving government subsidies to lower their premiums are more likely to switch health plans during the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) current open enrollment period. [Read more…]

TORONTO, April 3, 2019 /CNW/ — Chubb is now providing expanded insurance coverage through its Private Equity+SM offering to address the unique risks of Canadian private equity firms. Designed as a comprehensive solution, these extended offerings help transfer and mitigate many of the private equity firms’ most significant liabilities by combining four management liability coverages including management (Directors and Officers), outside directorship, professional services (Errors and Omissions), and Employment Practices Liability in one policy. [Read more…]

CHICAGO, April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Eighteen months after launching its revolutionary employer analytics and reporting solution, Blue Health Intelligence® (BHI®) is providing healthcare insights for millions of individuals who receive health benefits through their employers. The solution, Whyzen Analytics, also has increased operational efficiencies and value by providing more actionable population health information to four large regional health plans. [Read more…]

BOISE, Idaho, April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — VisitPay announced that Henry Ford Health System will implement its financial platform, which helps patients meet their medical billing obligations and provide health systems with capabilities to boost patient satisfaction and yield. [Read more…]

BOISE, Idaho, April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — VisitPay announced that patients who use the company’s revolutionary patient financial engagement platform give their health system’s billing and payment experience an average Net Promoter Score® (NPS) of +50. [Read more…]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. and TAMPA, Fla., April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — This April, in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, WellCare of Kentucky, a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) company, sponsored Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky’s (PCAK) 2019 Community Awards. The event provided community organizations with resources and tools to host awareness events around the Commonwealth. After overwhelmingly positive responses to the 2018 sponsorship and an increase in applications received, WellCare doubled the sponsorship to $10,000 for 2019, helping PCAK to further community support statewide. [Read more…]

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (“WellCare”) (NYSE: WCG) today announced that it has entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for its Revolving Credit Facility (“Credit Agreement”). The company plans on using this upsized facility to support its long-term growth plans, including, but not limited to, its pending acquisition of Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Inc., Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. and MeridianRx, LLC (“Meridian”), as well as for general corporate purposes. [Read more…]

Symbility Solutions (TSX.V: SY) (“Symbility”), a global software company focused on modernizing the insurance industry, is pleased to announce that they have signed a multi-year agreement with Ageas Insurance Limited. Ageas is a recognized leader in the United Kingdom insurance sector for the exceptionali customer experience delivered to their policyholders. [Read more…]

Beacon Health Options (Beacon), the nation’s premier behavioral health management company, has announced that Mental Health News Education (MHNE) has presented its 2018 Leadership Award to Beacon Mid-Atlantic Market President Jim Spink. The MHNE Leadership Award recognizes Mr. Spink for his more than two decades of championing treatment services and public policy that advance the quality of life of individuals and families living with mental illness, substance use disorder and autism spectrum disorder. [Read more…]

Infinisource Benefit Services will be on display with its innovative benefits administration products at the upcoming Coastal Empire Association of Health Underwriters Symposium & Exhibitor Fair. The event will take place at The Hyatt Regency Savannah in Savannah, Georgia on April 25. The 14th annual occurrence of this event offers health insurance professionals in Georgia with the opportunity to participate in continuing education, receive updates on the industry, and meet carrier partners. [Read more…]

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is examining the growing issues related to opioid use in America through a three-part series, On Opioids. This series is aimed at exploring three viewpoints on issues surrounding opioid use and workers compensation: those of doctors, insurers, and regulators. NCCI has posted its first article of the series—On Opioids: The Doctors’ Perspectives—on ncci.com. [Read more…]

Florida Blue, a leading health insurer in Florida, has partnered with Welltok, a leading enterprise Software as a Service company for consumer health. The partnership provides Florida Blue members with access to a unique digital health and wellbeing program designed to help individuals become and stay healthy. [Read more…]

Avella will distribute naloxone, a powerful therapy used to treat opioid overdoses, as part of an innovative new program designed to improve access to the drug. The program allows individuals and family members in certain states to simply contact the pharmacy and order the drug by phone, with no physician prescription needed. In these circumstances, one of Avella’s pharmacists will actually supply the prescription if they determine that EVZIO® (naloxone HCl injection) or another naloxone therapy is appropriate. [Read more…]

One quarter (25%) of U.S. employees surveyed have worked with an executive who became severely ill and whose illness affected the company. This finding of the HealthMine 2018 Rising Risk Survey highlights the need for companies to do a better job of identifying key employees who are at-risk for a chronic illness. Once risks are identified, plan members can engage in personalized health actions to help ward off disease. In addition, companies can implement contingency and succession plans should these employees suddenly become sick. [Read more…]

The healthcare industry has been slow to adopt new technologies, including the cloud. However, industry-wide demand to use health data to improve system efficiency, deliver value-based care and enable productive collaborations is driving investment in cloud solutions. [Read more…]

Change Healthcare and Zebra Medical Vision today announced an agreement to create solutions that deliver artificial intelligence solutions to complex radiology reporting environments. Change Healthcare’s proven radiology solutions, along with Zebra Medical Vision’s algorithms, will benefit radiologists and other imaging specialists by improving the efficiency of routine tasks and the effectiveness of workflow in the radiologist reading environment. [Read more…]

Deloitte, a leader in life sciences and health care consulting services, announced today that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Life Sciences Competency status. This designation recognizes Deloitte for its ability to build successful life sciences solutions on AWS to help customers conduct drug discovery, manage clinical trials, engage in manufacturing and distribution activities, and conduct research and development of novel genetic-based treatments and companion diagnostics. [Read more…]

Majorly, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) occurs in adults, however, it sometimes occurs in children as well. However, targeted drugs called Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) have been effective in providing long-term survival rates. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved dasatinib (Sprycel) for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia in children. As the chronic myeloid leukemia is more aggressive in younger patients, the approval of drugs can help in effective treatment. [Read more…]

MyDx, Inc. (OTC: MYDX), a science and technology company and creator of MyDx® (My Diagnostic), the first multi-use handheld chemical analyzer designed for Cannabis professionals and retail consumers to correlate the chemical profile of cannabis with how it makes them feel and which ailments it alleviates, today announced it filed patents on its revolutionary, second smart device — The ECOSmartPenTM — and is now accepting Pre-Orders. [Read more…]

WellCare of Nebraska, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), announced today that its medical director, Dr. Stephen Lazoritz, has received a governor appointment to the newly established Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council. [Read more…]

Research and knowledge on the effects of nut consumption on human health has increased in recent years, suggesting that nut consumption may play a key role in the prevention of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), among others. [Read more…]

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center of Omaha, one of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals for Cardiology and Heart Surgery, have signed a 10-year, strategic partnership to help drive innovation in pediatric care. Working together, Philips and Children’s will look to identify opportunities to enhance the quality and cost effectiveness of patient services, including focusing on connected solutions in diagnostic imaging, patient monitoring, respiratory solutions and clinical informatics. [Read more…]

Regentis Biomaterials announced today the start of its Phase III pivotal clinical trial of GelrinC for the treatment of focal knee cartilage defects with successful surgery on three patients in the U.S. and Denmark. These procedures are part of a Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical study to compare GelrinC to microfracture, the current standard of care treatment. The clinical study will be used to support a Pre-market Approval Application (PMA) which will allow Regentis to market GelrinC in the U.S. [Read more…]

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC. (Upsher-Smith) today announced the launch of KLOR-CON® Powder (Potassium Chloride) for oral solution, 20 mEq. The Company received approval of an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this product, which will be marketed and distributed by Upsher-Smith. Sandoz, Inc. will continue as the licensed marketer and distributor in the U.S. for the balance of the KLOR-CON® line of potassium products. [Read more…]

WellCare of Nebraska, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), has announced that its medical director, Dr. Stephen Lazoritz, has received a governor appointment to the newly established Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council. [Read more…]

Fullerton Healthcare Corporation Limited (“Fullerton Health” or the “Group”), a leading provider of corporate healthcare solutions across Asia Pacific, today announced a significant investment from Ping An Capital Co., Ltd. (“Ping An Capital”), the core equity investment platform of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd (“Ping An of China”). [Read more…]

Amendola Communications has added population health technology pioneer HealthBI to its customer family. Amendola will be a key player in HealthBI’s plans for rapid growth in 2018, promoting solutions that are already the most widely deployed of their kind while expanding awareness of the company as a visionary thought leader in value-based and integrated care. [Read more…]

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) and the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NYCHCC) announced today that WellCare of New York was awarded the inaugural Anthony Chiarelli Employment Engagement Award in honor of its “successful practices [that] have provided compelling results on the value of diversity in corporate America.” [Read more…]

Effective today, regulation reforms from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandate a new process for surveying the policies and procedures of nursing facilities across the U.S. [Read more…]

Kaiser Permanente researchers in Washington analyzed information from medical visits, keeping private the information that could help identify any of the 22,000 patients in the study. Published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, “Frequency of Cannabis Use among Primary Care Patients in Washington State” is among the first U.S. studies to evaluate the population-based prevalence of patient-reported cannabis use among primary care patients, particularly in a state where nonmedical use is legal. [Read more…]

CareSource and Baptist Health have reached an agreement to provide quality access to health care for consumers in Kentucky and southern Indiana through the Health Insurance Marketplace. [Read more…]

The Arkansas Department of Insurance announced today that ForeverCare, Inc. is certified and licensed as a PASSE (Provider-owned Arkansas Shared Saving Entity) to provide access to healthcare for Medicaid eligible residents of Arkansas. ForeverCare, along with three other provider-led health plans, will deliver access to healthcare through the PASSE model of care, which is unique to Arkansas and provides coordination of physical health, behavioral health and home and community services to vulnerable Arkansans who qualify for these services due to specific health conditions. Care coordination is increasingly important to Medicaid programs and has shown success in improving health outcomes of individuals while reducing costs. ForeverCare is comprised of six partner organizations that represent over 300 years of experience and success in delivering high quality healthcare to deserving Arkansans. [Read more…]

Sixty-five percent (65%) of respondents would be interested if their employer offered easy and affordable access to genetic testing for health purposes, and the results were private and only shared between the employee and their doctor. Twenty-six (26%) percent want genetic testing but only if it is free, and 9% would have no interest in an employer offer of access to genetic testing. Further, 52% of respondents are willing to pay up to $250 for genetic testing. [Read more…]

Receiving a Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau is an honor to selected businesses. Recently, Combined Insurance, a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health and life insurance products, and a Chubb company, received a 2017 Honorable Mention Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. [Read more…]

Yolanda Jimenez-Colón, who leads Latino Relations for Gateway Health’s Community Engagement & Growth Department, has been selected as one of 50 of the Most Influential Latinos in the Delaware Valley. Ms. Jimenez-Colón will be recognized for her commitment and contributions to the Delaware Valley’s Latino community at a ceremony to be held from 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday, November 17 at the National Museum of Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia. The awards ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. [Read more…]

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) released the following statement on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Medicare Parts C and D proposed rule: [Read more…]

Tufts Health Plan today announced it is rated 5 out of 5 – the highest rating possible – by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) on its annual rating of private health insurance plans.* It is the only health plan in the nation to receive the 5 out of 5 rating for both its HMO and PPO products.* Only three other plans in the country, from a pool of nearly 500 -earned a rating of “5.” Its Massachusetts PPO is the only PPO plan in the country to receive a 5 out of 5 rating. [Read more…]

Using real care and cost data over an extended period of time that mimics real world experiences and shows optimization across health care markets. What if workers and dependents could right-fit their own benefits using the power of such analytics? It would revolutionize shopping for health coverage – especially for large companies with up to several thousand workers. [Read more…]

Pat Geraghty, CEO of Florida Blue, the leading health insurer in Florida, today announced that the company will donate $1 million to support relief and recovery efforts across the state in the wake of Hurricane Irma. [Read more…]

Tampa-based WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), a leading provider of Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans throughout the country, today announced that, after activating its emergency business continuity plan ahead of Hurricane Irma’s arrival in Florida, its Tampa-area facilities remain operational and the company is facing minimal interruption in business in serving its 4.4 million members. [Read more…]

A Trump administration agency proposal to cut Medicare drug payments to hospitals serving poor and rural Americans is counterproductive and would actually reduce access to care, a group of over 1,300 hospitals says in comments submitted today to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). [Read more…]

Hurricane Irma is expected to cause catastrophic destruction across Puerto Rico, Florida, and possibly other states, even as the Gulf Coast is working to recover from Hurricane Harvey. Many healthcare facilities and pharmacies are already unavailable for extended periods, and others soon will be. As the waters subside, patients in affected areas may be displaced, many care locations will be temporarily closed, and prescribing patterns could be disrupted due to evacuations, power outages, and massive flooding across the region. [Read more…]

For nearly two decades, New Life Agency has been committed to providing the best value and service in the Assisted Reproduction Insurance industry. Today, New Life Agency announces a powerful three-way partnership designed to deliver substantial savings on today’s expensive fertility medications. [Read more…]

While Middle American men and women share similar feelings of financial security, women are more likely to worry about their personal finances and with good reason: they are three times more likely to say they cannot afford to save for retirement, according to a new study from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual). [Read more…]

While a narrow majority of 1,033 physicians surveyed by Merritt Hawkins strongly (42%) or somewhat (14%) support a “single payer healthcare system” in the U.S., more than 90% of 1,208 persons responding to an internet survey by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons said they were opposed. [Read more…]

Hurricane Harvey has struck a significant blow to the Houston, Texas metro area, home to the sixth largest import terminal in the world, as well as all of the shipping lanes in the Gulf Coast area. Given the strong economic linkages between the gulf coast and the country as a whole, Harvey is a disaster that will impact the U.S. economy far beyond that of the gulf coast. [Read more…]

As Hurricane Irma heads toward Florida, residents are preparing for its impact. Anxiety is running high for many in the path of this very strong storm. [Read more…]

Unaffordable medical expenses are often the first consequence when a critical illness such as cancer or heart disease strikes, so FTLife has responded by launching the MediSave Medical Account. This helps customers prepare for the possibility that serious illness could strike a breadwinner, or other family member, at any time. [Read more…]

The Corporate Whistleblower Center says, “We are urging a medical doctor, a nurse or a manager at a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, a rehab center, a dialysis center or a company providing hospice services to call us anytime at 866-714-6466 if they can prove their employer is involved in significant Medicare overbilling. One of our top targets are healthcare companies that are gouging Medicare with unnecessary medical procedures, or medical treatments that never took place. Recently a small group of whistleblowers with this exact type of information received a $3.6-million-dollar reward.”

http://CorporateWhistleblower.Com

According to the Corporate Whistleblower Center, “We are convinced there probably a more than a few people in every state that could be millionaires based on their inside information about Medicare fraud and healthcare companies ripping off the federal government. If you possess this type of information please call us at 866-714-6466. Why sit on a winning lotto ticket without ever knowing what it could be worth?”

Rise People, a new digital HR and group health insurance platform, has announced that Brigitte Parent, formerly SVP of Group Benefits at Sun Life Financial Canada, has joined its advisory board.<--more-->

Parent, named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network, brings extensive strategic group and individual insurance experience to Rise.

Having joined Sun Life in 1995, Parent has extensive experience as a senior leader for both its Canadian and global businesses. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice-President of Group Benefits. Parent was also Senior Vice-President of Individual Insurance and Wealth for Canada where she was responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of insurance and wealth management products and solutions.

In 2015, Parent was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by The Women’s Executive Network, where she received the RBC Champions Award to recognize the difference she has made in helping advance women in the Canadian workplace.

KEPRO announced today that the Division of TennCare, the state of Tennessee’s Medicaid program, has awarded the contract for the management of its toll-free call center to support TennCare members to KEPRO.

KEPRO will manage the toll-free call center that allows TennCare’s members to file medical issues or appeals by phone. The call center currently receives an average of 2,500 calls per week.

The registered nurses of Berkshire Medical Center, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, have filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against BMC citing management’s months long refusal to provide information necessary to negotiate over health insurance, which is a mandatory subject of bargaining under federal labor law. [Read more…]

Today, ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company and ISMIE Indemnity announced entry into Pennsylvania. The companies will offer occurrence and claims made medical liability coverage for individual health professionals, groups and health care facilities. [Read more…]

The American Council of the Blind commends U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) on the introduction of H.R. 3457, which calls for the Controller General of the United States to investigate the government’s systemic failure to provide materials in accessible formats for recipients of Medicare and Medicaid. [Read more…]

Avella just announced that it has launched a new e-commerce platform designed to streamline ordering compounded preparations. This easy-to-use, secure and intuitive web-based portal gives ophthalmology providers the ability to save payment information and easily order or re-order with customized shipping method. It also provides access to ordering history and invoices at a glance. [Read more…]

Wellthy Therapeutics, a Digital Therapeutics company based out of Mumbai, is one of the five companies selected, and the only Healthcare company to enrol into Swiss Re InsurTech Accelerator programme this year. Wellthy’s artificial intelligence powered mobile intervention focuses on reversing and controlling diabetes through integrated care. Wellthy facilitates behavioural change and enables on demand care to improve health through a clinically proven policyholder centric tool, while reducing risk for health and life insurers. [Read more…]

Springbuk, the leading employer-facing health intelligence platform, continues to show strong growth of its business-to-business software. With the introduction of more than 300 new employer customers in the second quarter, Springbuk now has over 900 employers on the analytics platform. [Read more…]

Sempre Health, the leading solution for behavior-based healthcare pricing, officially launched health plan partnerships today to empower consumers to lower their own medication costs. Sempre works with health plans and pharma manufacturers to dynamically adjust a patient’s co-payment based on individual adherence and behavior, seamlessly at the point of fill. [Read more…]

Missouri Care, Inc., a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), announced today that it has signed an agreement with SSM Health that provides in-network coverage to Missouri Care’s MO HealthNet Managed Care (Medicaid) members. This agreement includes access to academic medical centers, community hospitals, physicians, urgent care centers, ambulatory care centers and other services and facilities owned by or affiliated with SSM Health. [Read more…]

A young Ohio father and his baby boy who battled brain cancer at the same time are among the 22 million Americans at risk of losing health insurance if a bill being considered by the United States Senate becomes law. The family is featured in a new video released today urging lawmakers to vote no. [Read more…]

A comprehensive program announced today by pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime), which serves 14 Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans nationally, identifies members who are at risk of controlled substance misuse and gets them into programs that can help reduce their risk. Prime’s “Controlled Substance Management Program” combines existing and new offerings into a multi-layered program to help address the national epidemic. [Read more…]

Last year the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services issued a report about Americans’ concerns and actions related to long-term care (LTC), also referred to as long-term services and supports (LTSS). [Read more…]

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced sales of $18.8 billion for the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 1.9% as compared to the second quarter of 2016. Operational sales results increased 2.9% and the negative impact of currency was 1.0%. Domestic sales increased 1.6%. International sales increased 2.3%, reflecting operational growth of 4.4% and a negative currency impact of 2.1%. Excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, on an operational basis, worldwide sales increased 0.5%, domestic sales decreased 1.0% and international sales increased 2.0%.* [Read more…]

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has issued a statement deeply critical of the draft health care legislation introduced yesterday in the Senate, known as the Better Care Reconciliation Act, or BCRA. ACEP’s president, Dr. Rebecca Parker, said: [Read more…]

The American Diabetes Association has grave concerns about the impact the draft Senate health care bill will have on people with diabetes. Individuals with diabetes need access to continuous health care to effectively manage their disease and to prevent dangerous and costly complications. The proposed legislation could significantly limit access to care and yield increased costs for people with diabetes, and particularly for older Americans, who are at greater risk for diabetes. The bill also does not guarantee comprehensive coverage. [Read more…]

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wisc., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The accolades continue to accrue for SKYGEN USA. The company, which is dedicated to transforming the delivery of health benefits through innovative, technology-enabled solutions that drive down the cost of care while ensuring healthier outcomes for all Americans, announced today that it has been ranked number 86 on the prestigious 2017 Healthcare Informatics (HCI) 100 list. [Read more…]

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — CAHU is dismayed that the California State Senate saw fit to pass the $400 billion per year tax plan to pay for universal single payer legislation, SB 562 (Lara/Atkins). [Read more…]