Contributors
John Morrow is Principal of The Ratings Guy, LLC, and advises information companies and their constituents on the use of provider performance to assist with strategic decision support and policy analysis. Morrow is the founder of 100 Top Hospitals: Benchmarks for Success®, Creator of the Patient Satisfaction Index™ and Founder of the Hospital Value Index™.
Morrow has provided Congressional expert testimony assessing the impact of Balanced Budget Act and Balanced Budget Refinement Act on the U.S. hospital industry. He has published in the areas of inpatient outcomes, performance measurement, longitudinal analysis, ambulatory outcomes, clinical and cost management for the U.S. and UK hospital industries. Mr. Morrow has resided in Canada, the United Kingdom and France, all models of nationalized health services. Today, he resides in Mid-coast Maine, USA.
Email: John@TheRatingsGuy.com
Phone: 207-323-0560
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Gunter Wessels is a Partner in TIGI, a consulting firm with an emphasis on healthcare. Prior to joining TIGI Wessels operated in independent consultancy while completing a Ph.D. Wessels firm focused on healthcare economics and the comparative value of different healthcare interventions.
Wessels clients include companies in the private sector of healthcare in the US, Canada, and Europe.
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Mark has over 30 years of healthcare experience that includes positions responsible for multiple hospitals, multiple surgery centers, and the start up of a dialysis company.
Healthcare Finance News- Report: BCBS companies hit hard in 2009Blue 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 increaseA 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 CollaborativeForty 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 nursesMagnet 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. […]
- Michigan health system expands hospitalist programAs the demand for hospitalist physicians increases nationwide, Allegiance Health has decided to expand its own program by entering into an agreement with a hospitalist management company. Hospitalists are one of the fastest growing subspecialties in contemporary medicine. These physicians are usually internal medicine specialists who care exclusively for hos […]
- Study: Medical errors cost U.S. economy almost $20 billion in '08A new study estimates that measurable medical errors cost the U.S. economy $19.5 billion in 2008. Commissioned by the Society of Actuaries and completed by Milliman, Inc., the study used claims data to project a measurement of costs for avoidable medical injuries. Of the approximately $80 billion in costs associated with medical injuries, around 25 percent w […]
- Report: BCBS companies hit hard in 2009
- Medicare Spotlight
- Lower Your Costs During the Coverage GapThis page will help you to learn 5 ways to lower your costs during the coverage gap. […]
- Learn More About Plans in Your AreaPart 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 2010Medicare & 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.govMyMedicare.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 […]
- Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap