Health Care Advocates Send Warning To Elderly Community Nov 4, 2009
EL PASO, Texas -- Health care officials warn elderly patients that HMOs are trying to talk some seniors into dropping their Medicare benefits ... Benson said the patients were either talked into dropping Medicare and switching to an HMO or were switched to an HMO without their authorization ... She said that's a problem because she has realized in her line of work that what the HMOs cover is not extensive. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Letters to the editor Nov 3, 2009
In fact, it turns out that the evil HMOs (which are the reason we now apparently need socialized medicine) were actually started by the government back in 1973 to lower costs and increase access to health care ... Oddly enough, our late and esteemed senator, one of the HMOs biggest critics, was actually the person who drafted the HMO Enabling Act. (Ipswich Chronicle, MA)
Some San Antonio HMOs record uptick in enrollment Nov 3, 2009
Roughly a million fewer Texans were enrolled in a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan in 2008 than at the start of this decade. But some San Antonio insurers have, thanks in large part to an increase in government program enrollment, seen a significant spike in HMO membership ... 9 million Texans were enrolled in an HMO plan in 2008. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
Some HMOs see enrollment uptick Nov 2, 2009
Some San Antonio HMOs record uptick in enrollment - San Antonio Business Journal ... Some San Antonio HMOs record uptick in enrollment ... Roughly a million fewer Texans were enrolled in a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan in 2008 than at the start of this decade. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
It can pay to compare health plans Nov 1, 2009
During open enrollment time, it can really pay off to learn the nuances of HMOs, PPOs, and other common health insurance plans ... HMOs appeal to people who prefer premiums that may be a little lower and who like a plan that makes many choices for them when it comes to specialists or hospitals ... Most HMOs do not set a deductible amount that consumers must pay before coverage kicks in, but there may be deductibles for some services in an HMO plan, such as hospital stays, day surgery,... (Boston Globe)
Some terms used by health plans to describe their costs and services Nov 1, 2009
Health maintenance organization (HMO): A system that provides comprehensive medical services usually in return for a fixed, prepaid fee. Health savings account (HSA): Like a flexible spending account, it allows you to save pretax dollars for health care expenses. (Boston Globe)
Medicare Advantage may lose luster Nov 1, 2009
HMO plans offer more in terms of health management, but only within a preselected "network" of physicians, while fee-for-service plans provide comprehensive acute care. The federal government funded the private plans at 95 percent, on average, of what it was paying for Medicare. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Column: Will you need me when Im 65? Oct 31, 2009
For example, while municipalities avoid adding employees to their health insurance plan like the plague, Medicare Advantage HMOs such as Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts and Blue Cross/Blue Shield compete to win the business of these same people when they turn 65 ... The HMO continues to receive the pmpm every month, even if the plan member never gets sick ... For every 1,000 plan members, then, the Medicare Advantage HMO receives about $900,000 from CMS plus any modifiers for existing conditions, plus... (Arlington Advocate, MA)
Chronic Fatigue Patients No Longer Fakes? Oct 31, 2009
"Once my HMO even asked me to take a truth serum to see if I was lying," said Toussaint, now 48 and founder of , an organization that advocates for women in pain. "I was so ashamed.". (ABC News)
Haunted Happenings Oct 31, 2009
This spooktacular event will feature several haunted houses, including Next of Kin (say "hello" to a murderous family), Origins will have you lost in the darkest depths of this world, Malpractice will have you wishing for your old HMO, and the Monster Midway rides, food, a special fright zone, a "sick flicks" cinema, the Brothers Grim Sideshow, games and more will be sure to turn your innards into outards. 6-11 p.m. Thursdays, 6 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays, through Oct. 31 at the South... (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Norcross to weigh proposed 2010 budget Oct 31, 2009
It is also in the process of switching employees from a PPO health plan to an HMO plan to reap savings of about $250,000, officials said. The City Council must approve the budget by year's end, Mayor Bucky Johnson said. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Study: State's Medicaid patients dying from painkillers Oct 30, 2009
t6 wrote on Oct 29, 2009 6:17 PM:" Don'tMakeMeComeInThereIs exactly right. Getting approved for surgery to repair the actual problem is next to impossible in some medical programs. I for one am a Kaiser victim. I've been told for years now that there is nothing wrong or that they can't figure out whats causing the problem however, they have no problem prescribing anti-inflamatory and pain killing drugs. Let me get this straight Doc? I don't have a problem but you think I should take... (Longview Daily News, WA)
Lockton: 12 percent rise in coverage cost Oct 30, 2009
The percentage of employers offering an HMO plan dropped from 44 percent in 2008 to 32 percent in 2009. Most employers (91 percent) offer PPO plans with higher deductibles and higher out-of-pocket expenses. (Denver Business Journal, CO)
Not A Healthy State For All Latinos In The US Oct 29, 2009
7, 2009) African-Americans enrolled in health maintenance organizations (HMO) in California are disproportionately more likely than any other racial and ethnic group to delay getting needed prescription drugs. . (Science Daily)
HMO expects near double-digit rate hike Oct 29, 2009
for free extra services. Subscribe to Business First. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
Suit challenges state's autism practices Oct 28, 2009
The dispute hinges, in part, on definitions of health care providers in the state HMO and mental health parity laws. The lawsuit also alleges consumers were able to appeal treatment denials to an independent medical review system until March with some success but a department memo ordered subsequent complaints to be handled as coverage issues through the agency s internal grievance system. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Capital Hill Oct 28, 2009
IBDs HMO group fell 2. 4% on Monday, but i by early Tuesday afternoon, despite a generally weak market. (Investors Business Daily)
Fairfax Co. Gives Vaccinations to All Attending Flu Clinic Oct 25, 2009
We actually talked to our HMO and they said they are going to have some at some point, but they don t know when. We figure it s better safe than sorry, said Ben Allen, Annandale resident. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Research partnership will study how electronic medical records can address genetics of drug safety Oct 22, 2009
Chicago (October 21, 2009) The International Serious Adverse Events Consortium (SAEC) announced today it will collaborate with the HMO Research Network (HMORN) to improve the safe use of drugs by exploring why the genetic makeup of some individuals makes them more likely to experience serious drug-related adverse events (SAEs) ... The HMORN is the nation's premier resource for population-based health care outcomes research ... It will determine the feasibility of using the HMORN's centralized... (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
The End of California? Dream On! Oct 22, 2009
It's Kaiser Permanente, the HMO whose model of salaried doctors in group practice may be the future of health care, or the University of California at Irvine's law school, which opened this semester with free tuition and was instantly more selective than Harvard or Yale. It's SpaceX, the private rocket-launching company, or Kogi, the Korean taco truck that announces its location over Twitter to flash mobs of Angelenos. (Time.com)
Harris County reveals pilot insurance program for uninsured employees of small businesses Oct 21, 2009
Two benefit plans are administered by either health benefit plan giant , a business of (NYSE: UNH), or Community Health Choice, a nonprofit HMO affiliated with the. Both plans cover inpatient and outpatient services and, depending on which plan is chosen, preventive dental, vision exams and other services may be covered. (Houston Business Journal, TX)
Seniors Wii bowl for world record and health Oct 20, 2009
The event, put on by TexanPlus -- the Houston area's largest Medicare HMO -- drew more than 1,500 supporters and 600 senior bowlers to break a record but also to have fun and dish out a little bit of Texas-style competition and a side helping of health information. "I'm in it to win it," one man said as he rolled his walker up to the foul line. (CNN)
Blue Cross offers new Medicare plan Oct 20, 2009
The BlueMedicare Regional PPO product is being offered along with the HMO, PPO, Private Fee-for-Service, Part D and Medicare Supplement plans. Jacksonville-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
Nasty divorce of medical groups Oct 20, 2009
The voiceover: "If you have an HMO in San Francisco, you may lose access to the world-class specialists of UCSF. To make sure you don't, choose a primary care doctor from Hill Physicians." ... The complicated and bitter dispute has thrust thousands of Bay Area HMO members into a confusing world of contracting arrangements between medical groups ... Patients belonging to a health maintenance organization, or HMO, using the Brown d medical group could easily be referred by their primary care... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Too many health care monopolies Oct 20, 2009
Here in New York, radical insurance industry consolidations have led to a monopoly-like situation in many parts of the state, where one or two large corporations control the entire HMO market. For example, in Ithaca, just one company -- Excellus -- controls 100 percent of the HMO market ... A single corporation controls 87 percent of Buffalo's HMO market, 80 percent of the Binghamton market, 79 percent of the Albany market and 62 percent of the Rochester market. (Albany Times Union)
Hidden Costs of Medicare Advantage Perks Oct 16, 2009
Nancy Smyth, 68, wants to keep the free gym membership that comes with the Medicare Advantage policy she bought from Health Net, a private HMO. And John Kizer, 72, hopes his plan will continue to offer free prescription eyeglasses and free hearing aids ... The program blossomed in the late 1990s when Congress bolstered it with millions in additional federal subsidies to for-profit HMOs ... "The promise of Medicare Advantage and Medicare HMOs was to save the government money, to save consumers... (CBS News)
Guest column: Does anyone know whats what? Oct 16, 2009
Another contradiction lies in the Town of Arlington s own struggle with the cost of health insurance: How is it that while the town tries to avoid having employees on its health insurance plan, when those same employees turn 65, companies like BlueCross BlueShield, Tufts and Harvard Pilgrim compete to get them to join their Medicare HMO ... Fischer s next piece will discuss Medicare s capitated payment system, and explore why town employees suddenly become desirable customers for Medicare HMOs. (Arlington Advocate, MA)
Insurance mandate to cost millions Oct 16, 2009
An independent review of MPS finances released in April shows MPS employees and retirees have the choice of two health care packages: a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan that costs $18,500 per employee per year and a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan that costs $11,400 per employee. The district s PPO costs are 78 percent higher than the average PPO, while the district s HMO costs are 11 percent higher than average, according to the review by , a New York City-based management... (Milwaukee Business Journal, WI)
Airgas Growth Stalls; Outlook Remains Strong Oct 16, 2009
HMO Humana (HUM) was down modestly Tuesday as the Senate Finance Committee OK'd a health care bill. Humana and other stocks in the Medical-Health Maintenance Organization industry group have been declining for the past month as odds increased that some sort of health bill would pass this year. (Investors Business Daily)
Grant will fuel health-care initiative Oct 15, 2009
The effort was also helped along by a $500,000 investment from as part of a two-year agreement between the hospital and HMO.. Plans call for CHCB to rent the Mizer building, located down the street from the hospital, and assume operations at the clinic. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
Preparing for two flu seasons Oct 15, 2009
Those age 65 years and older must provide a health insurance card from Medicare or a participating Medicare HMO Plan. One hundred volunteers with the Burlington Volunteer Reserve Corps (MRC), which includes nurses and medical professionals such as BOH member Dr. Wayne Saltsman, will staff the flu clinic. (Burlington Union, MA)
Medications that block folic acid in pregnancy double risk of congenital malformations in fetus Oct 14, 2009
The study obtained medication data from pregnant mothers registered at Clalit HMO, Southern District, and drew information from 84,832 babies born at Soroka University Medical Center in Beer-Sheva, Israel. It was carried out as part of the Ph. (EurekAlert!)
Kaiser's Denver research center to share in $54M stimulus grant Oct 13, 2009
2 million to develop a cardiovascular surveillance system for a collaborative of 14 U.S. health plans with 11 million HMO members, and $4 million to evaluate tests related to colon cancer. "Kaiser Permanente is proud to be part of what President Obama called the 'single largest boost to biomedical research in history.' It's our mission to find answers to medicine's complex questions so that everyone can have better care," Raymond Baxter, senior VP of Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit,... (Denver Business Journal, CO)
Readers Write 10/12 Oct 13, 2009
I recently received information regarding my 2010 HMO coverage, and sure enough, my monthly premium has again increased by about 10 percent. Frankly, I feel that if there were more choice for consumers, insurance companies would be more responsive to consumer needs. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
N.H. workers ax furloughs, layoffs on way Oct 13, 2009
"The union called on Lynch to reopen negotiations on a new contract.Lynch said he was disappointed by the vote."Over the last few weeks, agencies have been developing plans for layoffs in the event the union rejected the contract," the governor said in a statement. "I will be meeting with department heads (Tuesday) morning to begin implementing those plans, which include notifying impacted employees this week and completing most layoffs by the end of October. "As votes were being counted earlier... (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Kaiser wins $54M in NIH-stimulus grants Oct 13, 2009
2 million GO grant to develop a cardiovascular surveillance system for the Cardiovascular Research Network, a collaborative of 14 different health plans with 11 million HMO enrollees. A $3. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Demand for H1N1 Vaccine Causes Shortages Oct 12, 2009
I called my HMO with flu symptoms and they told me to "stay home" (and, presumably, if I didn't die, to call them the next day. . (CBS News)
Click to read:Poll: Congress Gets Low Health Care Grade Oct 10, 2009
What makes it worse is the people are forced to line the pockets of the phony baloney HMO markets. Going to be some weeding coming the 2010 elections. (CBS News)
Free seasonal flu clinic scheduled Oct. 28 Oct 9, 2009
All insurance cards, including both Medicare and HMO cards, must be taken to the clinic, says Roseanne Morrissey, RN, the town s public health nurse. Pending the availability of additional season flu vaccine, a second clinic would be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, also at Congregation Shirat Hayam. (Swampscott Reporter, MA)
Insured African-Americans more likely to use emergency room than other insured groups Oct 8, 2009
Yet in a policy brief released today by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, researchers found that in California, privately insured African Americans enrolled in HMOs are far more likely to use the ER and to delay getting needed prescription drugs than HMO-insured members of other racial and ethnic groups ... In fact, of all HMO enrollees, African Americans were the most likely to report seeing a doctor in the past year, according to the authors of the brief, "African-Americans in... (EurekAlert!)
Health costs frozen for state workers Oct 8, 2009
The EUTF has yet to announce what will happen with premiums for Kaiser Permanente's HMO plan. "They're aware that the consultant is projecting a loss of about $2.7 million a month beginning in January," said Jim Williams, EUTF administrator. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Molina's Medicaid health plan earns accreditation Oct 7, 2009
Molina Healthcare of Texas, based in San Antonio, was granted an HMO license in 2005. The health plan currently serves 30,000 members in 13 counties. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
Chester County Hospitals relationship with Keystone Mercy Medicaid HMO ends Oct 7, 2009
Chester County Hospitals relationship with Keystone Mercy Medicaid HMO ends - Philadelphia Business Journal ... Chester County Hospitals relationship with Keystone Mercy Medicaid HMO ends ... officials said their agreement with , the Philadelphia region s largest Medicaid HMO plan, officially ended last week when their contract expired. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
Health care: Which is the real party of no? Oct 7, 2009
What is needed in this nation is a single-payer HMO with insurance to cover catastrophic illnesses WITHOUT pre-existing conditions. If we are the only indusrialized nation without universal health care, what does that say about the mentality and ethics of the USA. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Georgetown senior notes Oct 6, 2009
Please bring Medicare and/or Senior HMO cards to the clinic ... The COA will photocopy Medicare/HMO cards in advance of the clinic. (Georgetown Record, MA)
Coventry to buy Preferred Health Systems Oct 6, 2009
It operates Wichita s largest HMO with 62,928 Sedgwick County enrollees, according to the Business Journal s HMO and PPO list published May 29 ... Coventry ranked No. 2 on the HMO list with 3,447 Sedgwick County enrollees ... Statewide, PHS has more than 80,000 HMO enrollees and more than 40,000 PPO enrollees. (Wichita Business Journal, KS)
Health benefits not always negotiable Oct 4, 2009
Locally, we typically see employers paying some percentage of the cost of a single plan or a family plan you choose, or a percentage of the total cost of the offered HMO plan. A change for us, which is more common in other parts of the country, is the employer paying a percent of the benefits costs for the employee only, and the employee paying to upgrade to employee plus one (where such plans are offered) or for a family plan. (Boston Globe)
Concern about mental health confidentiality Oct 3, 2009
She finally decided to go for counseling at UHS, and [after a couple of sessions] wanted to see somebody through her dad s HMO, but her parents are very much against counseling and would be furious if they found out. this holds a lot of people back from treatment. (The Digital Cardinal, WI)
Health Care Bill Nears Key Milestone Oct 3, 2009
The Reps would continue to waste monies with their HMO c*r*a*p and the Dems will please insurance companies by setting up FORCED coverage. Which is better. (CBS News)
UMASS AND FALLON: Mammogram reminder system studied Oct 3, 2009
Fallon Community Health Plan, a health insurer based in central Massachusetts with about 225,000 total members that offers an HMO option and is a separate organization from the Fallon Clinic physicians group, covers the entire cost of mammograms for its members, according to Beth Foley, director of Quality Programs ... "The hope is that other HMOs will institute similar reminder systems,'' said Costanza, who has also worked with Harvard Pilgrim on a similar outreach program. "Veterinarians send... (Winchester Star, MA, MA)
UPMC Health Plan asks for OK to raise rates 48 percent Oct 2, 2009
The base rate, which is an aggregate average, applies to all group HMO rates ... HMOs are the most restrictive form of managed care, requiring members to receive care from approved doctors ... Like most insurers, HMO products are a shrinking part of UPMC Health Plan s business, which has a total of 330,000 members, Benevento said. (Pittsburgh Business Times, PA)
Democrat compares health care to the Holocaust... Oct 1, 2009
Grayson calls health care crisis 'holocaust' - Ben Smith - POLITICO.com. segregation tomorrow. (The Drudge Report)
Irregular Heartbeat Risk Higher in Women with Type 2 Diabetes Sep 30, 2009
The current study culled data from more than 10,000 members of an HMO diabetes registry who had type 2 diabetes, and then matched them by age and sex to more than 7,000 people without diabetes. The study period was January 1999 through December 2008. (MEDLINEplus)
Your Career: Paying more for health coverage Sep 30, 2009
The Kaiser survey found that 21 percent of firms offering benefits say they are very likely to raise employees premium contributions next year, and 16 percent are very likely" to raise deductibles. Employees will be paying a greater share of cost, said Randy Abbott, a senior health benefits consultant for Watson Wyatt, a global consulting firm.That means co-payments that were $20 for a doctors visit could climb to $25, he said, and an annual deductible of $250 could easily... (MSNBC -- Business)
Consumer-driven in reverse? Sep 30, 2009
Premiums for HSAs can cost up to one-third less than regular insurance, like a preferred provider organization or HMO.. While federal lawmakers say health reform will not quash high-deductible plans, changes to these plans could at least curtail a growing source of business for health insurers, already under pressure from federal lawmakers to change their practices. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Public Plan Pits Democrat Vs. Democrat Sep 30, 2009
The HMOs are a phony baloney market created by republicans ... Freedom is not having to line a hmo ceo pocket ... Ughh - NO. HMO's were Ted Kennedys brain child. (CBS News)
UW students still face health-care obstacles Sep 24, 2009
If you break your leg and go to the emergency room that s covered, but when you need to see a specialist a week later, the HMO will say, you can come home. For students who need any or better insurance, Orman said 3,000 currently purchase UHS Student Health Insurance Plan, or SHIP, which offers health-care coverage to students for $1,476 per year (or $615 for the fall and $861 for the spring and summer semester). (The Digital Cardinal, WI)
'TEA Party" draws 1,000 Sep 24, 2009
Williston Herald - Online Edition. Williston Herald Print Edition. (Williston Daily Herald, ND)
Chesco Hospital joins AmeriChoice network Sep 24, 2009
The deal comes about a week before Chester County Hospital s contract with , the Philadelphia region s largest Medicaid HMO company, is set to expire. That contract ends Sept. 30. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
National Health Care: what now? Sep 24, 2009
sue evans wrote on Sep 19, 2009 2:15 PM:" Last time there was a debate this big over health care was when the Gov't created the HMO. The Nixon era created the HMO act of 1973. Both parties were in on that one. NOT ONE politician will cite that as a past success. ". headward wrote on Sep 18, 2009 4:22 PM:" "He also addressed rumors like "socialized medicine", rationed health care and the ending of the Medicare program. (Williston Daily Herald, ND)
Health care reform that pleases liberals and conservatives Sep 23, 2009
The role of the private management companies would include setting up networks of providers (basically the PPO, HMO, and POS plans that currently enroll over 80 percent of Americans with private insurance). Negotiating discounts with healthcare providers, and competing to enroll individuals in their coverage plans. (Christian Science Monitor)
Quantum Group suffers deep losses in Q3 Sep 23, 2009
Quantum Group has an electronic medical records system, and has risk management contracts with eight payers, including five HMOs, that give their members access to a network of health care providers ... 6 million as of July 31, improved from working capital of $503,275 a year ago, because the medical expenses paid for its HMO patients exceeded the premiums it collected. (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
Aetna gets Pa. employee Medicare contracts Sep 23, 2009
will also be one of three health plans providing Medicare Advantage HMO plans ... Aetna will offer its Medicare Advantage PPO plans across the state, and also will provide a Medicare Advantage HMO offering to retired state employees in southeastern Pennsylvania and select sites outside the state. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
Predicament of the Haves Sep 22, 2009
Now, employees choose between a high plan that utilizes a traditional HMO; and a health savings account (HSA) with a high deductible, funded entirely by the company. If unused, it rolls over for the next year s.. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Read the story Sep 21, 2009
We need to go to single payer and get rid of the worthless republican created HMOs ... We need to go to single payer and get rid of the worthless republican created HMOs ... The republican creations of HMOs & PPOs over twenty years ago have failed in epic proportions. (CBS News -- Evening News)
