Pharmacists Step in to Fill the Gap

With the shortage of primary care physicians and the regular contact many people have w/their pharmacy this idea makes sense:

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Features/Insuring-Your-Health/Michelle-Andrews-on-Pharmacy-Outreach-and-Chronic-Health-Problems.aspx

5 Components of High Quality Health Plans

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/Fund-Reports/2011/Mar/Success-Factors-in-Five-Health-Plans.aspx

Year Two of ACA

There will be more nitty gritty matters to resolve. The big one will be deciding what services must be covered by health plans:

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials will create a Medicare initiative to encourage hospitals and physicians to coordinate more closely on patient care in the coming year. Regulators will start deciding which medical services health plans must cover as of 2014. Negotiations between federal and state officials will escalate as states prepare to launch the health insurance markets that will expand coverage. And researchers will get federal money to find the most effective way to treat diseases.

HHS Assisting States in Health Exchange IT Issues

Joel Ario spoke at an AHIP conference on states' efforts to establish health insurance exchanges by 2014.

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Newsletters/Washington-Health-Policy-in-Review/2011/Mar/March-14-2011/Insurer-Friendly-Exchange.aspx

Connector Popular in MA: Shades of Things to Come in 2014?

The health insurance exchange in MA gets high marks from its customers. 86% are satisfied w/its services:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/03/11/health_connector_patients_mostly_satisfied_with_service/

ACOs vs. Bundled Payment Pilots

If you are a hospital, a Medicare bundled payment pilot is the way to go:

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-physician-relationships/evaluating-the-medicare-pilot-programs-comparing-acos-and-bundled-payments.html

Aetna and Carillion Clinic Form ACO in VA

Aetna will perform the back office support for the venture. No word on how risk will be shared for global payments.
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/COM-263594/Aetna-Carilion-Clinic-Building-ACO-in-VA