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CMS Speaker to speak on PQRS Incentive Program at iPatientCare National User Conference 2015, November 6, 2015

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iPatientCare Announces Great User Engagement at National User Conference 2015, featuring Keynote and Rich Educational Sessions from CMS Speaker, User Panelists, and CEO/CTO/STO

Woodbridge, NJ (PRWEB) October 27, 2015

iPatientCare, Inc., a pioneer in mHealth and cloud-based ambulatory EHR and integrated Practice Management and Patient Engagement solutions, announced today a special session from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) speaker on CMS Incentives at the grand annual event of iPatientCare, namely, National User Conference (NUCON) 2015, on November 6, 2015. iPatientCare’s annual user conferences would focus on education/exhibition/entertainment, involve national participation of iPatientCare users and channel partners, and generate great excitement and applaud for the series of presentations involving sneak preview of the future product releases and fun events engaging the entire iPatientCare community.

Like every year, NUCON 2015 will provide a great opportunity of learning on the latest developments with iPatientCare product suite, and of course, would unite and connect iPatientCare channel partners, end users, certified professionals, business partners, and employees of iPatientCare.

“With the Meaningful Use Final Rule just getting published, most of our users are curious to know what all they need to focus on MU and PQRS reporting for this year which ends in about eight weeks. As a leader in Ambulatory health IT space, we constantly work towards disseminating policy initiatives focusing on reduced costs, improved quality and better outcomes. Meaningful Use (MU) and Physicians Quality Reporting System (PQRS) attract more excitement and attention because they affect ambulatory practices’ bottom line. We welcome Ashley Spence, Communications/Education and Outreach lead for the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program at CMS as a speaker. Ms. Spence’s session will provide an amazing opportunity to NUCON attendees to learn about the incentive programs from CMS by interacting with her and participating in Q&A," said Udayan Mandavia, President/CEO, iPatientCare.

Ashley Spence is currently a Health Insurance Specialist in the Division of Electronic and Clinician Quality. Since joining CMS in 2012, she has served as the Communication/Education and Outreach lead for the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program. In this capacity, Ashley provides leadership and input for various campaigns and product development for the agency. Prior to joining CMS, Ashley worked in communication positions at The Johns Hopkins University and the United States Department of Defense.

“The overwhelming success of NUCONs has encouraged us to come with yet another episode of exciting annual event”, said Kedar Mehta, Chief Technology Officer, iPatientCare. He further added, “We are all set to kick-off the holiday season over wine, cheese and chocolates, special gift pack, breakfast/lunch/pizza/pasta, and a chance to win a cruise to Bahamas at the grand finale.”

About iPatientCare

iPatientCare, Inc. is a privately held medical informatics company based at Woodbridge, New Jersey. The company is known for its pioneering contribution to mHealth and Cloud based unified product suite that include Electronic Health/Medical Record and integrated Practice Management/Billing System, Patient Portal/PHR, Health Information Exchange (HIE), and mobile point-of-care solutions that serve the ambulatory, acute/sub acute, emergency and home health market segments.

iPatientCare EHR 2014 (2.0) has received 2014 Edition Ambulatory Complete EHR certification by ICSA Labs, an Office of the National Coordinator-Authorized Certification Body (ONC-ACB), in accordance with the applicable eligible professional certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Full certification details can be found at ONC Certified Health IT Product List.

iPatientCare Inpatient EHR 2014 (2.0) Received ONC HIT 2014 Edition Complete EHR Certification from ICSA Labs, determines ability to support eligible hospitals with meeting meaningful use stage 1 and stage 2 measures required to qualify for ONC Health IT funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Full certification details can be found at ONC Certified Health IT Product List.

The ONC 2014 Edition criteria support both Stage 1 and 2 Meaningful Use measures required to qualify eligible providers and hospitals for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The company has won numerous awards for its EHR technology and is recognized as an innovator in the field, being a pioneer to offer an EHR technology on a handheld device, an innovative First Responder technology to the US Army for its Theatre Medical Information System, the first to offer a Cloud based EHR product. iPatientCare is recognized as one of the best EHR and Integrated PM System for small and medium sized physicians’ offices; has been awarded most number of industry Awards; and has been recognized as a preferred/MU partner by numerous Regional Extension Centers (REC), hospitals/health systems, and academies.

Visit http://www.iPatientCare.com for more information. Reported by PRWeb 6 hours ago.

NCQA Best-Rated Health Plans Partner With SPH Analytics

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SPHA Clients Represent 20% of Top Rated Plans

Alpharetta, GA (PRWEB) October 27, 2015

SPH Analytics announced today that their clients represent 20 percent of the plans receiving the top 4- to 5-point ratings in the 2015-2016 ratings for private, Medicare, and Medicaid health insurance plans according to reports recently released by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Additionally, more than 50 percent of the private health plans receiving the highest 5-point rating are clients of SPH Analytics.

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of healthcare organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in healthcare.

NCQA’s Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2015–2016 list rated more than 1,300 private, Medicare, and Medicaid health insurance plans based on clinical quality, member satisfaction, and NCQA Accreditation Survey results. NCQA’s ratings classified plans into scores from 1.5 to 5.0, in 0.5 increments, with 5 being the highest performance rating.

Results of the CAHPS® Survey were used as part of the performance measures to rate the health plans. The CAHPS Survey is considered the most comprehensive tool available for assessing member experiences with their health plan. SPH Analytics is an NCQA-Certified Survey Vendor for the CAHPS Survey and has administered the survey to health plans throughout the nation since the program’s inception in 1998.

Healthcare organizations, including many of the highest performing health plans in the nation, partner with SPH Analytics for reliable healthcare survey management, call center support services for patient/member outreach, and powerful analytic technology that empowers healthcare providers to take targeted actions to measurably improve population health and deliver better care.

CAHPS® is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

About SPH Analytics
SPH Analytics (SPHA) is a leader in action analytics, providing best-in-class solutions and transformative technologies for provider, payer, and health networks. By providing powerful applications, analytics, healthcare surveys, call center services, and consulting, SPHA solutions lead the way for the next generation of healthcare. SPHA enables clients to increase member and patient satisfaction, improve population health, drive patient engagement, and reduce overall cost of care. SPHA solutions incorporate an engaging social-media style user experience, optimized for mobility and communication, to measure data, create easy-to-understand analytics, and empower action.

Founded through the merger of Voyance, MDdatacor, Archimedes Clinical Analytics, and The Myers Group, SPH Analytics is based in Alpharetta, GA, with offices in Branford, CT, San Francisco, CA, Nashville, TN, and Duluth, GA. SPH Analytics is a member of the $3 billion Symphony Technology Group.

For more information, call 1-866-460-5681 or visit SPHAnalytics.com. Reported by PRWeb 6 hours ago.

TouchCare adds Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina CEO Brad Wilson to Board of Directors

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TouchCare welcomes two new members to its Board of Directors, former U.S. Senator Joseph Robert “Bob” Kerrey and Brad Wilson, the president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. The two appointments add invaluable experience to the Durham-based mobile health care startup.

Durham, NC (PRWEB) October 27, 2015

TouchCare welcomes two new members to its Board of Directors, former U.S. Senator Joseph Robert “Bob” Kerrey and Brad Wilson, the president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. The two appointments add invaluable experience to the Durham-based mobile health care startup.

TouchCare was founded in 2014 with a simple vision: create the mobile health app where consumers connect to and engage with their own health care providers. The company’s telemedicine app enables convenient, HIPAA-compliant virtual video appointments that can be used within existing doctor-patient relationships. It focuses on maintaining continuity of care by connecting patients to their own physicians who already know their medical history, have earned their trust and are familiar with other medical resources in their market — all of which are shown to greatly improve medical outcomes.

TouchCare also enables peer-to-peer video calls allowing providers to talk face-to-face privately with another doctor, or sit alongside their patient to present their case to a specialist anywhere in the world using the app. The feature expedites connecting specialists while maintaining care continuity.

“Senator Bob Kerrey and Brad Wilson will provide tremendous insight as both government regulation and health care transformation continue to play an important role in the future of telemedicine,” said Damian Gilbert, TouchCare’s founder and CEO. “Both men bring unique perspective and proven strategic leadership that will be instrumental in helping us continue to reach our mission: making TouchCare the mobile health app where consumers connect to and engage with their own health care providers. We are grateful for their desire to serve on TouchCare’s Board and I am confident they will have a significant impact.”

Senator Kerrey is a Managing Director at Allen & Company, and a Board Director of Tenet Health. He is a former member of the elite Navy SEALs, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran and a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. He served as the 35th Governor of Nebraska from 1983 to 1987 and as the U.S. Senator for Nebraska from 1989 to 2001. His political work has earned him national recognition as an advocate for educational technology, fiscal responsibility and health care reform.

“We must modernize health care and provide patients with the tools necessary to best access the highest quality care,” said Senator Kerrey. “We need mobile health options that preserve existing doctor-patient relationships. TouchCare does just that — empowering consumers with an effective, secure, and convenient alternative to some in-office visits. I look forward to working with the company as a member of the Board and helping change the way Americans receive care.”

Wilson, who started his career practicing law and later served as general counsel to North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, joined BCBSNC in 1995. He held a range of senior-level positions before taking on leadership of the organization in 2010. He currently serves as a director of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, America's Health Insurance Plans, BCS Financial Corporation and the Research Triangle Regional Partnership. As president and CEO of the state's largest health insurer, with 3.8 million customers, Wilson is dedicated to improving North Carolina's health care system, making health care more affordable, and helping BCBSNC adapt in a changing health care environment.

“Mobile technology is rapidly changing the way consumers connect to and engage with health care,” Wilson said. “What is difficult for consumers today is the ability to conduct a video appointment with their own provider, in a multitude of use cases. TouchCare’s platform provides an extremely easy way for any provider to offer video appointments to their own patients, using their everyday mobile device, while encouraging and supporting the all-important physician-patient relationship so critical for long term care. Our goal is to make care accessible, affordable and appropriate for all our stakeholders in North Carolina, and taking an active role in guiding TouchCare’s development will help us develop this important market segment.”

The TouchCare app is a free and easy to use solution for any health care provider - from solo practitioners to large clinics or hospitals to improve the quality of care, save time and money, and improve patient satisfaction. Get the TouchCare app with a simple download from the App Store and Google Play, and learn more at: http://www.touchcare.com.

About TouchCare:
TouchCare is simplifying health care and creating a personalized network of patients, providers and institutions. This robust telemedicine solution connects patients to the doctors they know and trust through secure, face-to-face video calls via smartphones or tablets. Some of America's leading medical centers are already using TouchCare to strengthen relationships and reduce costs. For more information, visit: http://www.touchcare.com. Reported by PRWeb 6 hours ago.

2016 Premium Changes Vary Widely From State to State, AIS Research Shows

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California plans have the biggest premium rate increases so far, while New Mexico and Washington plans have lower average rates than last year for individual market silver-level plans, according to the data from Atlantic Information Services’ in Health Insurance Exchange Database: 2016 Plans and Premiums.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 27, 2015

2016 premiums are up substantially, overall, but the situation varies greatly by state and by plan, as health insurers have continued to announce last-minute decisions to enter or exit different state marketplaces, and last-minute market shifts resulting from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) risk-corridor announcement. AIS research reveals that, on average, a 27-year-old individual purchasing a silver-level plan will pay $62.27 per month more in California than in 2015, while in nearby Washington that person will pay $13.29 less than in 2015. These findings were produced from data found in Health Insurance Exchange Database: 2016 Plans and Premiums, an annually updated, comprehensive, comparative database tracking insurer participation, premium rates and exchange enrollment on the public health insurance exchange marketplaces, now available from Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS).

Featuring the latest available 2016 plans and premiums, the database — from the editors of AIS’s Directory of Health Plans — allows market researchers to spot trends, and directly compare today’s marketplaces to 2015 and 2014 plan offerings, and is already loaded with plans and premiums for 14 state-based exchanges. The database provides the latest information on who is offering what types of plans where; the status of the CMS Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE) landscape file; last-minute decisions on entering and exiting state marketplaces; and hard-to-find data on plans offered on state-based exchanges, which are not included in the CMS FFE file.

The Health Insurance Exchange Database includes a CD filled with Excel spreadsheets, plus access to a website that will be updated with the latest premium rates as they become available.

For more information on Health Insurance Exchange Database: 2016 Plans and Premiums, including a full table of contents and a list of data fields, visit https://aishealth.com/marketplace/health-insurance-exchange-database. To access a free interactive demo of 2015 plan data, visit https://aishealthdata.com/pbx.

About Atlantic Information Services
Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is a publishing and information company that has been serving the health care industry for more than 25 years. It develops highly targeted news, data and strategic information for managers in hospitals, health plans, medical group practices, pharmaceutical companies and other health care organizations. AIS products include print and electronic newsletters, websites, looseleafs, books, strategic reports, databases, webinars and conferences. Learn more at http://AISHealth.com. Reported by PRWeb 3 hours ago.

Nationwide® Announces Best Pet Insurance Plan Ever

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BREA, Calif., Oct. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationwide, the first and largest provider of pet health insurance in the United States, introduces Whole Pet with Wellness, the most comprehensive pet insurance product offered in the U.S. The announcement was made today by Scott Liles,... Reported by PR Newswire 37 minutes ago.

Trump Changes Views on Medicare

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GOP candidate Donald Trump did a flip-flop on U.S. health insurance system. Reported by ABCNews.com 1 day ago.

Tufts Health Freedom Plan Receives Approval to Offer Health Insurance to Small Businesses in New Hampshire

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Tufts Health Freedom Plan Receives Approval to Offer Health Insurance to Small Businesses in New Hampshire CONCORD, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tufts Health Freedom Plan announced today approval from the New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID) to begin offering health coverage for small groups. Tufts Health Freedom Plan brings a new suite of tiered and non-tiered commercial plans to New Hampshire, offering small businesses a new and local option to providing high quality, cost-effective access to health care. Tufts Health Freedom Plan is owned by Granite Health, comprising five of New Hampshire’s large Reported by Business Wire 1 day ago.

Companies try to stand out in recruiting MBA talent

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Companies seeking to hire the best MBA graduates are using unusual tactics to differentiate themselves.  -More- 

*Healthcare that's Resourceful*
Answering employees' healthcare questions takes up valuable time. RightOpt^®, a private health insurance exchange from Buck Consultants at Xerox, makes understanding benefits easier for employees. So HR can spend less time answering questions and more time focused on strategy. *>Discover more* Reported by SmartBrief 23 hours ago.

ObamaCare premiums, penalties rising as open enrollment begins

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Most ObamaCare customers will find they have to pay more for coverage in 2016 than they did this year, as they begin to select health insurance plans this weekend. Reported by FOXNews.com 22 hours ago.

Aetna Introduces Health Insurance Options for Small Businesses in Colorado

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Aetna Introduces Health Insurance Options for Small Businesses in Colorado DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aetna announces the introduction of a new suite of health plans designed for small employers in Colorado. Reported by Business Wire 22 hours ago.

Boehner Wins Repeal Of Obamacare Provision You Never Knew Existed

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Monday night’s spending agreement between the White House and Congress would repeal part of the Affordable Care Act. But the provision is a narrow one that few people knew existed and even fewer supported enthusiastically.

The Obama administration had stalled writing the rules that would have put it into effect and, with no signs of imminent action, most Washington insiders figured it was only a matter of time before Congress took it off the books anyway.

For better or worse, or maybe a bit of both, the provision was the regulatory equivalent of a dead man walking.

The clause -- which policy nerds will find in Section 1511 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, right under the heading “Employer Responsibilities” -- calls for automatic enrollment by large employers. If the administration fully implemented the provision, all companies that have more than 200 full-time employees and offer job-based insurance would sign up their workers for coverage.

Workers would have the right to decline coverage or select alternative policies, but they’d have to take the initiative to do so -- in other words, they’d have opt-out coverage rather than opt-in. Automatic enrollment is a textbook example of the kind of “nudging” many economists believe is the most effective way of changing behavior to achieve public policy goals. In this case, the hope was to increase the number of people who have health insurance.

But the provision was unpopular almost from the get-go. Conservatives and employer groups complained that it would be difficult to implement and create unnecessary hassle. Some of the loudest cries came from the restaurant and retail industries -- which, perhaps, were less than enthusiastic about having to cover more of their workers.Liberals had worries of their own. Although they supported the concept of automatic enrollment, they worried that some low-wage workers would unwittingly end up in plans that either cost too much or covered too little, at least relative to their incomes. (The high cost of employer insurance is a big reason why many low-wage workers turn down coverage now. It’s a problem most liberals are eager to address.)The Department of Labor and Department of Justice were supposed to come together and, by 2014, finish writing regulations implement this provision. Maybe officials were struggling to compose the regulation in a way that avoided adverse consequences, maybe pressure from employers and their allies was intense -- or perhaps it was some combination of the two -- but their deadline came and went.

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) last year introduced a bill to repeal the automatic enrollment provision, while a pair of Republicans in the House proposed a bill of their own. Interest groups representing employers and benefit managers quickly endorsed both.

This week's agreement effectively turns those proposals into law. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it will eventually mean that 750,000 fewer workers enroll in insurance from their employers. A small portion of these people will find alternative coverage, either by enrolling in Medicaid or purchasing subsidized coverage on one of the new health care marketplaces. The rest, CBO predicts, will remain uninsured.

CBO expects the shift will also affect the federal budget. Government revenue should rise because money that goes to employer health coverage is exempt from taxes -- and now, thanks to the agreement, more of that money will remain as regular wages, which are taxed. Government spending will also rise, because, again, a small portion of the people not enrolling in employer plans will now go to Medicaid or the subsidized marketplaces, where they’ll receive some form of financial assistance from the government.

Overall, the CBO says, the deficit should increase by less than $1 billion a year and by a little less than $8 billion over the next decade. How much those numbers mean in the context of the law, which is insuring many millions and has an annual price tag in the hundreds of billions of dollars, ultimately depends upon whom you ask.

On Tuesday, for example, House Speaker John Boehner celebrated the agreement, putting in the context of other efforts to chip away at the Democrats’ signature health care law.

“By eliminating the law’s auto-enrollment mandate that forces workers to automatically enroll into employer-sponsored health care coverage that they may not want or need, we will repeal another major piece of Obamacare,” he said at a press conference.

But most Democrats didn’t seem overly upset about the sacrifice, and said as much to reporters when speaking on background.

As one senior Democratic aide told The Huffington Post, “It’s an open secret that this provision wasn’t going to be implemented, so a Republican-added provision to this deal making doubly sure [that the provision never takes effect] will hardly have any effect on the long-term success of the ACA.”

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 21 hours ago.

IBM Providing Employees With Free or Reduced Cost Apple Watch as Part of Health Insurance Plan

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Extending its partnership with Apple, IBM is now planning to provide its employees with free or discounted Apple Watch models as part of a "Commit to Health" initiative that will see the Apple Watch distributed to employees under their health insurance plans.

Based on the health plan an IBM employee chooses, they can either get a subsidy that covers the full cost of an Apple Watch or the option to purchase an Apple Watch at a reduced price. IBM is likely hoping its employees will take advantage of the Apple Watch's fitness tracking capabilities, racking up steps and meeting exercise goals to stay healthy.

IBM had a similar program that saw employees provided with Fitbit activity trackers, but it is not clear if the Apple Watch is supplementing this program or replacing it. With the Fitbit program, exercising and taking steps let employees accumulate points that were able to be redeemed for merchandise or charitable donations.
Several health insurance companies and businesses have teamed up to adopt similar programs in an effort to cut down on healthcare costs, incentivizing exercise and activity with lower premiums and other rewards. Fitbit, for example, works with a large number of companies to incorporate activity tracking into corporate wellness programs.

Most of these programs existed before the Apple Watch launched, but the Apple Watch itself has proven to be a highly useful tool that motivates wearers to exercise, and it's possible additional companies could follow in IBM's footsteps in the future.

The Apple Watch encourages users to stand up once per hour, exercise, and burn calories to achieve goals. Many early Apple Watch adopters have said the device has motivated them to make better lifestyle choices, increasing their daily activity. Jim Dalrymple of The Loop, for example, credits HealthKit and the Apple Watch for his weight loss of 40 pounds.

(Thanks, Eric!)*Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories*
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• Beats Pill+ Speaker Launches Alongside New Colors for Solo2 Headphones Reported by MacRumours.com 19 hours ago.

Colorado health exchange gets permanent CEO, raises subsidies for 2016

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Kevin Patterson, former interim CEO for Connect for Health Colorado, now has his job full-time. And he has some work to do. The Colorado Health Insurance Exchange Oversight Committee, a frequent critic of the state-chartered exchange, agreed enough with the work Patterson has done since taking over temporarily in April that it voted unanimously Tuesday to give him the job permanently. Patterson will oversee an organization that sold insurance policies to nearly 155,000 people but has ambitious… Reported by bizjournals 17 hours ago.

Repeal the 'Cadillac Tax' to Protect Quality Health Benefits

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Since the Affordable Care Act became law in 2010, our nation has expanded health insurance coverage to millions of American families who previously lacked coverage. As a member of Congress, I gladly supported the law, which banned the practice of denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, closed the prescription drug "donut hole" for seniors, and created subsidies for affordable coverage.

During the debate over this landmark law, economists advanced a controversial tax provision known as the "Cadillac tax," by billing it as a cost-containment strategy. The proposal would tax health insurance premiums over a set threshold, limiting health care spending by discouraging lavish health insurance plans enjoyed by the top one percent -- CEOs and highly-paid executives. In reality, the tax will punish working families, older workers, and women -- particularly those who live in more expensive regions of our country.

I am leading a bipartisan coalition of legislators, in partnership with an unprecedented breadth of allies in the business, labor, and health policy communities, to repeal this flawed section of the law -- leaving intact the beneficial structure that has accomplished so much.

In the five years since I initially led opposition to the Cadillac tax, the true impacts of this unfair provision on older workers, women, and families in high-cost regions have become clearer. Top actuarial firms including TowersWatson have concluded that these factors, not generosity of health benefits, play a much larger role in determining the cost of health insurance premiums.

Fundamentally, the tax on high-cost health plans will degrade the quality of insurance plans available to employees of all stripes -- teachers, emergency personnel, factory workers, and a myriad of others who may have negotiated for better health insurance plans by forgoing wage increases in the past. More than 70 percent of employers polled recently confirmed that they were already seeking out alternative coverage options -- lower quality plans with sharply higher out-of-pocket costs -- to avoid incurring the tax in 2018.

Because the Cadillac tax will undercut benefits and punish employees who participate in FSA and HSA plans -- those contributions count toward the threshold -- patients will bear more upfront costs when they seek out medical care. That means more patients will forgo primary care, routine checkups, and treatment at the first signs of illness.

A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research confirms that consumers faced with higher deductibles will seek less health care of all kinds, including medically necessary care. Doctors at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, Connecticut highlighted this challenge for patients during my recent visit to the Women's Health Center. They have seen a significant percentage of patients whose mammograms (which are cost-free under Affordable Care Act changes) detected potentially cancerous tumors fail to return for additional diagnostics, citing the costs associated with the testing. Clearly, the Affordable Care Act was intended to expand access to cancer screenings and preventive treatment for women -- not to shift more patients to high-deductible plans that require greater out-of-pocket spending.

Since patients generally are not medical professionals -- and the health care market is opaque to consumers seeking price information for particular services and treatments -- they are ill equipped to determine the value of health care services. If the goal of the Cadillac tax is to reduce superfluous health care spending, as its proponents assert, then it will also reduce necessary health care spending, which leads to poorer outcomes for patients.

The Affordable Care Act has made great strides in rewarding health care providers for value, rather than quantity, of care. As a result, providers are seeking to contain costs while improving outcomes for patients. The Cadillac tax would disincentivize valuable care, as consumers are forced to decide whether or not to make a costly visit to the doctor. The tax is a blunt, indiscriminate instrument that must be repealed as soon as possible before it reduces access to necessary care, and damages the important progress we have made in reducing uninsured rates and intelligently bending the cost curve of health care spending.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 15 hours ago.

Repeal the "Cadillac tax" to protect quality health benefits

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Since the Affordable Care Act became law in 2010, our nation has expanded health insurance coverage to millions of American families who previously lacked coverage. As a member of Congress, I gladly supported the law, which banned the practice of denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, closed the prescription drug 'donut hole' for seniors, and created subsidies for affordable coverage.

During the debate over this landmark law, economists advanced a controversial tax provision known as the "Cadillac tax," by billing it as a cost-containment strategy. The proposal would tax health insurance premiums over a set threshold, limiting health care spending by discouraging lavish health insurance plans enjoyed by the top one percent--CEOs and highly-paid executives. In reality, the tax will punish working families, older workers, and women--particularly those who live in more expensive regions of our country.

I am leading a bipartisan coalition of legislators, in partnership with an unprecedented breadth of allies in the business, labor, and health policy communities, to repeal this flawed section of the law--leaving intact the beneficial structure that has accomplished so much. .

In the five years since I initially led opposition to the Cadillac tax, the true impacts of this unfair provision on older workers, women, and families in high-cost regions have become clearer. Top actuarial firms including TowersWatson have concluded that these factors, not generosity of health benefits, play a much larger role in determining the cost of health insurance premiums.

Fundamentally, the tax on high-cost health plans will degrade the quality of insurance plans available to employees of all stripes--teachers, emergency personnel, factory workers, and a myriad of others who may have negotiated for better health insurance plans by forgoing wage increases in the past. More than 70 percent of employers polled recently confirmed that they were already seeking out alternative coverage options--lower quality plans with sharply higher out-of-pocket costs--to avoid incurring the tax in 2018.

Because the Cadillac tax will undercut benefits and punish employees who participate in FSA and HSA plans--those contributions count toward the threshold--patients will bear more up-front costs when they seek out medical care. That means more patients will forgo primary care, routine checkups, and treatment at the first signs of illness.

A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research confirms that consumers faced with higher deductibles will seek less health care of all kinds, including medically necessary care. Doctors at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, Connecticut highlighted this challenge for patients during my recent visit to the Women's Health Center. They have seen a significant percentage of patients whose mammograms (which are cost-free under Affordable Care Act changes) detected potentially cancerous tumors fail to return for additional diagnostics, citing the costs associated with the testing. Clearly, the Affordable Care Act was intended to expand access to cancer screenings and preventive treatment for women--not to shift more patients to high-deductible plans that require greater out-of-pocket spending.

Since patients generally are not medical professionals--and the health care market is opaque to consumers seeking price information for particular services and treatments--they are ill equipped to determine the value of health care services. If the goal of the Cadillac tax is to reduce superfluous health care spending, as its proponents assert, then it will also reduce necessary health care spending, which leads to poorer outcomes for patients.

The Affordable Care Act has made great strides in rewarding health care providers for value, rather than quantity, of care. As a result, providers are seeking to contain costs while improving outcomes for patients. The Cadillac tax would disincentivize valuable care, as consumers are forced to decide whether or not to make a costly visit to the doctor. The tax is a blunt, indiscriminate instrument that must be repealed as soon as possible before it reduces access to necessary care, and damages the important progress we have made in reducing uninsured rates and intelligently bending the cost curve of health care spending.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 17 hours ago.

N.J. Obamacare policies for 2016: 'an interesting mixed bag'

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People who want to buy their health insurance through the federal exchange will be able to choose from between 40 and 59 policies, depending on where they live. Reported by NJ.com 16 hours ago.

Medicaid Move Looms Large for Kasich

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The Ohio governor is under pressure to deliver a breakout performance in Wednesday’s Republican debate in Colorado, where his expansion of health insurance for the poor might come up again. Reported by Wall Street Journal 11 hours ago.

India Network Appeals to Members to Help a Visiting Family with More Than $200,000 in Medical Bills

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India Network is issuing an appeal to all members of the community to help an Indian family stuck with a huge medical bill for a stroke while visiting Canada. A special page has been setup to facilitate online donations.

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) October 28, 2015

India Network Foundation, sponsor of award-winning visitor health insurance plans with pre-existing conditions for all age groups, today issued an appeal to help a family in need. Ashish Thakkar invited his parents to his home in Canada to witness the birth of their first grandchild in August 2015. He did not purchased any kind of health insurance plan for his parents before their arrival. A day before the baby was born; his mother suffered a massive stroke and was admitted to a Winnipeg hospital.

Ashish Thakur brought his parents to Canada but did not purchase any kind of medical insurance for his parent’s. He counted on their good health and good luck instead of visitors health insurance, like many young professionals in North America. His mother was hit with a massive stroke just one day before the arrival of her first grandchild. The new parents have appealed to community to help them with the resulting medical bills. India Network extends best wishes for speedy recovery of Mrs. Manjula Thakkar and seeks to help the family financially with this appeal.

India Network members may donate to this cause from our India Network Foundation secure server. Please donate generously to help this young family as the bills are piling up and expected to reach more than $200,000. Every day in the hospital is likely to cost on average $2600, and Mrs. Manjula has a long road ahead to recover from the stroke. All donations to the India Network Foundation are eligible for tax-exemption in the US or Canada (Check with your tax advisor).

Dr. KV Rao, President of India Network Foundation said that the very purpose for which India Network Foundation started was to help in these sorts of situations with an affordable health insurance plan for all visitors that would cover pre-existing conditions such as a stroke. However, many young professionals inviting their parents, in-laws, and grandparents do not take insurance needs seriously. It is a false assurance to think that parents, in their seventies or older, are of great health and do not need any medical coverage. Visitor medical insurance should be an essential part of a travel program for all visitors. We highly recommend that every visitor visiting United States or Canada to take advantage of pre-existing coverage plans offered by India network. If premium assistance is required, India Network Foundation will be happy to assist for economically challenged families.

About India Network Foundation

India Network Foundation, established as a US non-profit organization, has been helping the Asian Indian community in North America with programs and grants to academics from India for more than two decades. India Network Foundation sponsors visitor health insurance to students, temporary workers (H1 visa holders) and their families.

About India Network Health Insurance

India Network Services administers visitor health insurance to visiting parents, transient residents, tourists, students, temporary workers and their families. Cashless Visitor health insurance plans are available for all age groups with network-based comprehensive coverage and with pre-existing condition coverage.
For more information visit http://www.kvrao.org. Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.

State Farm Agent JoEllen James Educates Teen Drivers on Safety and Skills to Acquire

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In light of National Teen Driver Safety Awareness Week, October 18-24, teen advocate and insurance agent JoEllen James discusses the three most important things young drivers should do before/while obtaining their license.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) October 28, 2015

“First and foremost, get as much practice behind the wheel with your parents as you can,” said JoEllen. “State Farm doesn’t rate for new drivers until they obtain their license; it only starts rating them when they get their actual driver’s license, thus, drive time is free to parents while their child is driving with their permit.”

Secondly, when behind the wheel, JoEllen stresses that teen drivers eliminate any and all distractions. This includes reducing the number of passengers, keeping the radio down, and keeping your cell phone in the glove compartment or middle console. In fact, a Car and Driver study revealed that response time was actually worse while texting rather than while driving intoxicated. “Texting is the most dangerous thing a driver can be doing,” said JoEllen.

Lastly, it is imperative to build good scanning skills. “According to DefensiveDriving.com, people, especially young drivers, should be checking their mirrors every five seconds,” said JoEllen. “More than 40% of accidents occur from lack of proper scanning.”

In addition to insurance, JoEllen works with youth at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, AZ, with teacher Theresa Thornburgh, who teaches business classes and personal insurance. Classes focus on insurance education, speaking to students about renters, property and auto insurance; a business plan unit, critiquing and evaluating business plans of students; and preparing resumes and for interviewers by interviewing students and giving feedback.

About JoEllen James Insurance and Financial Services, Inc., State Farm
JoEllen James offers auto, home and property, life and health insurance, as well as banking products and annuities. She has been with State Farm since 1992. For more information, please call (602) 956-1110. The office is located at 4706 North 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018.

About the NALA™
The NALA offers local business owners new online advertising & small business marketing tools, great business benefits, education and money-saving programs, as well as a charity program. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361. Reported by PRWeb 7 hours ago.

CO-OP Failures Could Boost Enrollment in BCBS Plans, AIS Newsletter Predicts

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400,000 members are up for grabs as a result of CO-OP failures, according to Atlantic Information Services’ independently published The AIS Report on Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 28, 2015

With more than a third of the 23 Community Operated and Oriented Plans (CO-OPs) created as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) failing — leaving hundreds of thousands of people to search for a new health insurer when the open-enrollment period kicks off next week — a tremendous opportunity for enrollment gains has been created for Blues plans on and off exchanges, Atlantic Information Services, Inc.’s (AIS) The AIS Report on Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans predicts in its November 2015 issue. Published independently by AIS, The AIS Report is not affiliated with or sponsored, endorsed or approved by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association or any of the independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.

“I think Blues plans will be happy to scoop up lives [from the CO-OPs], and they are experienced in dealing with the higher risk that might be associated with consumers who will need to transition from a CO-OP plan into another plan,” Christopher Condeluci, a principal at CC Law & Policy in Washington, D.C, tells The AIS Report. Condeluci worked for the Senate Finance Committee during the drafting of the ACA.

Echoing Condeluci, industry consultant Robert Laszewski, president of Health Policy and Strategy Associates LLC, tells The AIS Report that closing CO-OPs “will help Blues plans [in those states] boost their enrollment since their trademark is well known and regarded…something particularly important just after your CO-OP went broke.”

As of this spring, the nation’s CO-OPs collectively had more than 1 million members, according to The AIS Report. Seven of the closing CO-OPs have 400,000 members, combined.

Visit https://aishealth.com/archive/nblu1115-01 to read the article in its entirety, which includes a look at some of the CO-OPs leaving the market and the potential enrollment Blues plans might win.

About The AIS Report on Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans
The AIS Report on Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans delivers timely news and insightful analysis of new products, market share, strategies, conversions, financing, profitability and strategic alliances of Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, which are major players in every U.S. health insurance market. The monthly newsletter is designed for plan managers and others who consider BCBS plans to be partners or competitors. Visit http://aishealth.com/marketplace/ais-report-blue-cross-and-blue-shield-plans for more information. A thoroughly objective publication, The AIS Report is published independently by AIS and is not affiliated with or sponsored, endorsed or approved by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association or any of the independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.

About Atlantic Information Services
Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is a publishing and information company that has been serving the health care industry for more than 25 years. It develops highly targeted news, data and strategic information for managers in hospitals, health plans, medical group practices, pharmaceutical companies and other health care organizations. AIS products include print and electronic newsletters, websites, looseleafs, books, strategic reports, databases, webinars and conferences. Learn more at http://AISHealth.com. Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.
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