February 2006

Cover Story
Enrollment snags could be just the start of political and regulatory headaches facing health plans and pharmacy benefit managers

Martin Sipkoff

With 9% of hospital charges attributable to pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal care, there is considerable opportunity for savings

MargaretAnn Cross

The whole is often greater than the sum of its parts, and that is proving to be the case with health plans. Will we end up with just 4 or 5 competitors?

John Carroll

As hospitals drive growth in programs and health plans take a back seat, this new subspecialty comes into its own

Sharon Baker

Two studies suggest that this design may not be a long-term method for controlling costs

Lola Butcher

Legislation & Regulation
As we enter a year with a congressional election, candidates are unlikely to stir things up with imaginative, comprehensive proposals

John Carroll

Medication Management
Health plans, with their view of the complete spectrum of patient care, are in a unique position to identify problems with polypharmacy

Martin Sipkoff

Tomorrow's Medicine
B-cells and their markers, once overlooked in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis, may hold the key for a new treatment regimen

Thomas Morrow, MD

Health Plan Design
Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and others are taking a variety of approaches in supplying information to members who are paying more out of pocket

Lola Butcher