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Supplement to Managed Care: Continuing Education Credit  Conversations on The Changing Face Of Managed Care: Insights from the 2006-2007 Podcast Series Free download |
Vol. 17, No. 6
June 2008
Plans Chart Course in Rough Waters
Health plans have suffered lately at the hands of investors (plummeting stock prices) and employers (fewer enrollees). Some companies are fighting back by finding underserved markets.
A Conversation With Barbara Starfield, MD
A Q&A with a physician-turned-academic-researcher who challenges the health system’s focus on specialists. “If you don’t have something that requires a specialist, it’s dangerous to see one.”
Smoke Signals from Payers
Employers have made clear that they really want smoking cessation programs, which suits those insurers that are repositioning themselves as prevention-oriented health services companies.
Slow Going for Clinical Decision Support
Like a GPS gizmo for a driver, CDS systems for doctors supply patient care roadmaps and alerts. Sadly, they can also be a real pain to work with.
Back Pain and Physical Therapy
A health plan works with a physical therapy facility to greatly improve pain and function scores.
Editor’s Memo
Creativity needed in troubled times.
Viewpoint
Breaking the biotech logjam.
Letters
What’s on their minds.
News and Commentary
Wealthy patients flock to HSAs.
Legislation & Regulation
No applause for Healthy Americans Act.
Medication Management
Statins overprescribed?
Compensation Monitor
Medicare might cut doc pay again.
Formulary Files
Education not always useful.
PlanWatch
Kaiser’s EMR system pays off.
Outlook
Pharmacy trend moderates.
