Healthcare News

Healthcare Breaking News

Healthcare Finance News

• Report: Healthcare supply prices rising
  Prices for products used by healthcare providers will rise 3.1 percent on the national market in the next six months, according to a new report by the healthcare supply contracting company Novation. The Irving, Texas-based company released its August 2010 Budget Impact Projections report last week. Healthcare providers that are members of VHA, the University […]
• Passport Health moves to help hospital patients settle their bills
  To the growing number of revenue cycle management vendors seeking to help hospitals improve their bill collections and avoid bad debt, add Passport Health Communications. […]
• Report: BCBS companies hit hard in 2009
  Blue Cross Blue Shield companies experienced both a decline in underwriting earnings and lower premiums in 2009, according to a report by the credit rating firm A.M. Best. Investment income also declined for BCBS plans because interest rates remained low, the report said. The Oldwick, N.J.-based firm said the turnaround in the financial markets resulted in r […]
• Employers scramble to make changes as health insurance costs increase
  A survey of large employers found they are anticipating an 8.9 percent increase in the cost of health insurance next year, up from an average 7 percent this year. As a result, employers said they are planning to make changes to their 2011 healthcare benefit programs. […]
• 40 health systems join Premier's ACO Readiness Collaborative
  Forty health systems have joined the Premier healthcare alliance's Accountable Care Organization Readiness Collaborative, which will help health systems prepare to become ACOs. "ACOs are a departure from the status quo and will be an ambitious goal for even the most advanced healthcare systems," said Premier President and CEO Susan DeVore. […]
• Study: Magnet hospitals don't offer better working conditions for nurses
  Magnet hospitals, which are recognized for better patient safety and outcomes, don't provide better working conditions for nurses than non-magnet hospitals, according to a new study by the University of Maryland School of Nursing. […]

Medicare Spotlight

• Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap
  This page will help you to learn 5 ways to lower your costs during the coverage gap. […]
• Learn More About Plans in Your Area
  Part of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder tool that will help you to identify the plans in your state. […]
• Know What to do about the Flu.
  Seasonal flu shots are available right now. H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is being shipped and will soon be widely available. […]
• Medicare & You 2010
  Medicare & You contains important information about what's new, health plans, prescription drug plans, and rights and protections to help people with Medicare review their coverage options and prepare to enroll in a new plan if they choose. It is available in both English and Spanish.Each fall, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mails […]
• MyMedicare.gov
  MyMedicare.gov provides direct Internet access to your Medicare benefits, eligibility, enrollment (including prescription drug plans) and preventive health information - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit the site, sign up, and Medicare will mail you a password to allow you access to your personal Medicare information. MyMedicare.gov also allows you to vie […]