MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'hmo'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:19:27 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130865&cid=t_110745_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fpartners-health-care-acquiring-neighborhood-health-plan-800-pound-gorilla-and-fig-leaf Partners Health Care (the dominant provider network in Greater Boston) and Neighborhood Health Plan (a local mostly-Medicaid HMO) just announced that the former intends to acquire the latter, and maintain it as a separate operating entity.  No money will change hands between the parties, but an unspecified amount of money will be given by Partners as grants to community health centers where NHP members receive much of their health care services. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130865 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:19:17 +0100 5130865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008200&cid=t_110745_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-massachusetts-experiment-analyzed-provider-payments-based-on-their-negotiating-strength-not-quality-of-care%2F2011.07.06 Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley released her office’s second annual report, An Examination of Health Care Cost Trends and Drivers (PDF; see also press release), which contains a wealth of critical data analysis — and also highlights how little we know about certain things — providing some important context for the discussion of the proposed Part III of Massachusetts health reform, a bill filed by Governor Patrick which would create all-payor ACOs and a system of global payments. At this late date, few would argue against a move a way from fee-for-service reimbursement for health care, or adding quality metrics to the mix, and tying financial rewards to providers to their performance measured against these metrics.  (Consider the Massachusetts Blue Cross Blu... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008200 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:00:08 +0100 5008200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4615377&cid=t_110745_136_f&fid=39025&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Feverythingchangesbook%2F%7E3%2F0IrLIYCjmKw%2Faffordable-care-act-on-year-anniversary Everything Changes is throwing a 1-year-old birthday party for the Affordable Care Act. Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t know what’s in the bill – you’re not alone. Our big, broken health care system needed a fabulous new makeover; the changes are welcome, yet complex. I’ve made a cliff notes version of the main parts of the bill, broken into four bite-sized categories. I’ll be posting new categories all this week. Today’s is Freedom to Access Care. Please read, check back, and share the info with your friends and families so we can all better understand and celebrate our new healthcare freedoms and rights. PART 1:  FREEDOM TO ACCESS CARE! Caps No more caps. Insurers can’t set dollar limits on your lifetime benefits coverage, no exceptions. Annual benefits caps ... Everything Changes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4615377 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:44:06 +0100 4615377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139235&cid=t_110745_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-your-health-insurance-can-save-your-life%2F2010.11.05 The Sacramento Bee recently ran the following opinion piece of mine below. A couple of additional comments not published follow. Enjoy.  ********* Viewpoints: Choice of health plan can be a lifesaver It’s that time of year when most of us pick a health insurance plan based simply on cost. It’s a belief that is often perpetuated by friends, family, and advice dispensed by many articles in magazines and newspapers. As a practicing primary care doctor, I can tell you that the advice is frankly wrong. Health insurance isn’t a commodity like auto insurance. It’s not just about the price. They aren’t all equally good at keeping you healthy and well. The recent annual report by the National Committee of Quality Assurance, which has been evaluating health plans for twenty years, contin... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139235 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:00:00 +0100 4139235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828357&cid=t_110745_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Flina-miles%2Flinda-miles-dr-rhonda-savage-on-dental-benefit-plans%2F TWO SIDES OF THE MANAGEMENT COIN: DENTAL BENEFIT PLANS STAFF’S VIEWPOINT: BY: Linda Miles, CMC DOCTOR’S VIEPOINT: BY: Rhonda Savage, DDS Dental insurance can be a frustrating topic for dentists and dental team members. In this article, we’ll review common concerns from both sides, then present an end-of-the-year insurance benefits template that you can use for your insurance patients. Staff’s Viewpoint “There are just too many insurance plans to keep track of. Why don’t the patients understand their dental benefits?” “I get so weary trying to explain these benefits.” “It is so time-consuming to do pre-authorizations, and 80% of the patients still say ‘no’ to treatment after we wait for weeks to get the responses back. What a waste of time!” “Doc... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828357 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:03:02 +0100 2828357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1664354&cid=t_110745_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F349618567%2F Here’s a familiar one for parents of autistic kids: Doctors and Patients, Now At Odds, the July 29th New York Times’s trumpets. Jim and I  do have our arsenal of just really terrible, not happening, not helpful, stories with pediatricians, child psychiatrists, neurologists, an immunologist, the psychologist who was on the team that diagnosed Charlie, and the ENT who told not-quite-2-year-old Charlie “adios.” Then there’s been the pediatric neurologist we drive almost two hours a couple times a year to see. He listens, he observes, he and Jim and I have a conversation (he inevitably mentions his own kids), he fiddles and gets distracted and asks questions and we get distracted; he makes a passing comment that’s just enough outside the box so we know that... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1664354 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:56:17 +0100 1664354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1411868&cid=t_110745_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fgenetic-information-nondiscrimination-act-passed%2F This bill has been 10 years in the making, but last week all the time and effort from those that support the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act paid off. I have written extensively about BRCA genetic testing for breast cancer and how it saved my sister’s life and helped me to decide on a prophylactic mastectomy. I have also encouraged other survivors to get tested. One of the major stumbling blocks for many (justifiably) was the genuine concern that knowing they had a predisposition to breast cancer would also mark them for discrimination from health insurance companies and employers. That fear, my dear friends, is no longer a threat. The passing of this bill means that employers cannot ask for this information, and neither can health insurance providers. In the recent past, if yo... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1411868 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:21:21 +0100 1411868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1335413&cid=t_110745_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fwho-will-fix-healthcare-and-heal-our-nation%2F There is no doubt that Barack Obama is a charismatic and inspirational political candidate. I like him as much as the next person and the media has swayed me into viewing him as a formidable presidential candidate. I am inclined however to quote a popular line from a ’70s commercial given by a little old lady; “Where’s the beef?” Although his speeches are exhilarating and eloquently delivered, there still for me is little substance in his policies. This election has to be about the people. I agree the economy, the war and immigration are all major platforms for this presidential race but the people of America at their healthiest and most vibrant will together affect these issues if the right policies are in place. I am a subscriber to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. If you are ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1335413 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:23:53 +0100 1335413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1300456&cid=t_110745_113_f&fid=35744&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fe-CareManagement%2F%7E3%2F250829885%2F Aetna recently made another big announcement relating to their PHR.  While the concept of what they’re doing is very appealing, it strikes me that health plans in general face an uphill battle in getting consumers to adopt and use personal health records (PHRs). I’ll describe 4 factors behind my thinking: Lack of Trust Lack of Access to Clinical Data Lack of Permission Lack of Convenience in Consumer Workflow (more…) Share This Related posts (and # of comments) A First Comparison of Google Health and MS HealthVault (5) Four Misconceptions About HealthVault and the Emerging Personal Health Information Ecosystem (PHI-Ecosystem) (7) Connecting the Dots…Google Health Promises to Create AND Dominate Next Generation PHRs (44) Birth Announcement: th... e-CareManagement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1300456 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:53:02 +0100 1300456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1298804&cid=t_110745_113_f&fid=35744&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fe-CareManagement%2F%7E3%2F250451981%2F About three weeks ago Cain Brothers Investment Bankers released a report that foreshadowed the collapse of HMO stock prices that has occurred over the past few days.  The report was entitled: FAREWELL TO A TIME OF PLENTY? Health Plan Strategies for Growth in a More Challenging Market.  Here are a few highlights from the report: (more…) Share This Related posts (and # of comments) Resources (1) e-Newsletter archives (0) Disease Management and the Medicare Health Support (MHS) Project: “Houston, we have a problem.” (4) The Medical Home: Advancing, But Still Many Questions (1) Medicare Health Support: “Do not go gentle into that good night” (0) (Source: e-CareManagement) e-CareManagement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1298804 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:03:04 +0100 1298804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1256388&cid=t_110745_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fhillary-clinton-will-address-healthcare-in-america%2F This is an amazing time in American politics. The increase in participation in these recent primaries is unprecedented. For breast cancer survivors and advocates this is an important time in American politics as well. Right up front I am going to tell you that I don’t get to vote this year. That privilege is for US Citizens only, and the process of becoming a citizen is quite long. However, the outcome of this year’s presidential election affects me and my family as much as any other living here in the United States of America. I don’t have to tell you how important the healthcare issue is for the upcoming election. Even the American Medical Association has sponsored an ad to stimulate interest in this issue and the need to give all Americans access to healthcare. There can be no dou... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1256388 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:14:59 +0100 1256388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1236380&cid=t_110745_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Ffighting-to-keep-what-you-dont-really-have-in-us-healthcare%2F This past week, I have been reviewing benefit packages from both my husbands company and the one I work for. Like most people living in America, health benefits are a big part of how we select employment. My husband’s company has a great health care plan but the monthly co-pay for a family is at least 30 percent higher than the one through my company. The last company I worked for charged me a $500.00 monthly copay. I have discovered in speaking to many, many people about the plans that they get from their companies, that anywhere between $300.00 and $600.00 is considered quite reasonable these days for employee co-pay on family benefits. That is for a PPO plan which took me a while to understand gives me the best choices in care; only it costs me an additional amount if I choose a docto... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1236380 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:32:53 +0100 1236380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1113414&cid=t_110745_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomensbioethics.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fin-case-of-nataline-sarkisyan.html (Source: Women's Bioethics Blog) Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1113414 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 15:42:00 +0100 1113414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=601907&cid=t_110745_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F10%2Fmichael-moore-will-take-hmos-to-task-in-sicko%2F Say what you will about Michael Moore, there's little debate that the guy knows how to make a documentary. Being a filmmaker myself (though I have only worked with narrative projects, not documentaries), I can only imagine the amount of pre-production effort he must go through to eventually pull-off his theater of involuntary candor. Talk around his soon-to-be-released new documentary Sicko, which focuses on the ills of the health care system in the U.S., has already turned, well, Michael Moore-ish; to the point where threats from the U.S. Government have been made for violations of the trade embargo with Cuba. Um....What? My response was just that after taking a cursory look at an article on Yahoo. But, upon further examination, I found that Moore flew 10 workers, all of whom had worked i... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=601907 Thu, 10 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 601907 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=530565&cid=t_110745_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F107624663%2F Back in September a new study found that older dads are more likely to have an autistic child—-now, another study suggests that older mothers are also more likely to have autistic children. The study was conducted by researchers at Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research in Oakland, California. Under lead author, epidemiologist Lisa Croen, the data of 132,844 single births at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Northern California from 1995 to 1999 were analyzed. 593 autism diagnoses were found, of which 277 (47%) were autism diagnoses and 316 (53%) were PDD-NOS or Asperger’s diagnoses. Women had a 30% greater risk of having a child with autism if they were 40 and older (compared with women aged 25-29), athough the “increased risk” (to cite an April 2nd USA Today ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=530565 Mon, 09 Apr 2007 03:51:23 +0100 530565