August 2006

Cover Story

Return to Jackson Hole? The Push for a Standard Benefit
A nationwide discussion about making health care available to all Americans gives new life to an old idea

Frank Diamond

Finding Opportunity Where Business Models Meet
The next stage of payer-provider collaboration will add true value

Emad Rizk, MD

Although Employers Need Depression Programs, They May Not Know It Yet
Research says the hidden cost of untreated depression far outweighs the cost of treatment. Plans need to get this information to purchasers.

MargaretAnn Cross ; Martin Sipkoff

Q&A

A Conversation with Molly Coye, MD, MPH: Building the Paperless Health Care System
After years and years of talk, a community of health plans, governments, and providers is getting serious about the beneficial exchange of health care data

Neil Versel

Everyone Uses E-mail Now (Except Doctors and Patients)
Here's how the process works today, who pays for it, and when and why it makes sense

John Carroll

Editor’s Memo

A Seductive Idea Returns to Public Debate

John Marcille

Legislation & Regulation

Congress Fails to Preserve Right of Insurers to Be Reimbursed
When a plan member is treated after an auto accident or other mishap that results in an award to the member, the plan should be reimbursed, but often, it doesn't happen

John Carroll

Medication Management

Off-Label Use Often Presents Conundrum for Health Plans
Insurers recognize the clinical importance of off-label prescribing, but criteria are needed to avoid overutilization

Martin Sipkoff

Compensation Monitor

Put away that carrot and stick
Employer Update

For Kansas, It's All In the (ID) Cards
Inaccurate data on patient ID cards is the top headache that a Kansas commission has decided to address using improved information technology

Lola Butcher

Tomorrow’s Medicine

New Injectable Medication Effective Against Wet AMD
Managed care has another alternative to slow the progress of the most common cause of blindness in the 55-years and over population

Thomas Morrow, MD

Managed Care Outlook

Slowdown in premium increase expected to continue into 2007



News & Commentary

Premium Price Differences Tied to Location

One Insurer, One Think-Tank Issue Studies of High-Deductible Plans

IOM: Medication Errors Rampant, And Preventable

So far, experts like what they see in Part D

Headlines On Deadline ...