| April 12, 2012 | America's Health Insurance Plans |
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 | Shared decision making (SDM) comes full circle to reduce health care costs, improve quality, and increase satisfaction. Can you implement an SDM program with your members to make a significant difference in the bottom line and member satisfaction? You bet. To find out how, read the 5 Steps to Shared Decision Making. |
| Providers & Suppliers |  |  |
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- Health care groups respond to proposed ICD-10 extension
The CMS plan to delay the ICD-10 compliance date for a year has received mixed reaction from industry stakeholders. The Medical Group Management Association applauded the move but expressed concerns that the ICD-10 implementation process remains flawed. Meanwhile, the American Health Information Management Association reiterated its stance against ICD-10 delay and advised health groups to stay focused on their implementation efforts. Health Data Management
(4/10)     
- CMS selects 27 ACOs for Medicare Shared Savings Program
The CMS announced on Tuesday that 27 accountable care organizations across 18 states will be included in the Medicare Shared Savings Program beginning this month. More than 150 applications from ACOs wanting to join the program in July are being reviewed. "We are on track to fundamentally transform the [Medicare] fee-for-service program," CMS Deputy Administrator Jonathan Blum said. BeckersHospitalReview.com
(4/10), Kaiser Health News
(4/10)
| Medical Update | | |
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- Patients comply with colorectal cancer screening when given options
 Sixty-nine percent of 997 middle-age patients given a choice between fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy underwent one of the colorectal cancer-screening tests, a study showed. Researchers found that 38% of patients adhered to their doctor's recommendation of colonoscopy, while 67% adhered to advice on FOBT. The findings appear in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Family Practice News
(4/9)
- Old-fashioned weight-loss plans work better than fads
A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine revealed that about two-thirds of obese Americans try to lose weight, with about 40% succeeding. Those who shed pounds did so mainly through the old-fashioned approach -- eating less, choosing healthier foods and exercising more. Researchers found that successful weight loss was not achieved using fad diet schemes, including liquid diets and nonprescription diet pills. Los Angeles Times/Booster Shots blog (tiered subscription model)
(4/10)
| Emerging Trends | | |
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- App is designed to help children with autism learn life skills
A new iPad application is aimed at helping children with autism develop life skills. Popchilla's World was created by Interbots, a company that originated with the Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center, and provides guidance for users as they complete daily tasks such as brushing their teeth. It also records data, which can be used by parents, caregivers and therapists to assess progress. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
(4/9)
| Health Insurance Plan Company News | | |
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| Pharma News | | |
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- Safety watchdog calls for usage restriction on MS drug Gilenya
Novartis' oral multiple sclerosis drug Gilenya is associated with serious adverse effects, including eye infection, according to the Institute for Safe Medicine Practices. The report comes as U.S. and EU regulators investigate deaths among patients treated with Gilenya. The FDA should consider substantially restricting usage and enhancing patient assessment, the institute said. FiercePharma
(4/5)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- FDA to unveil stricter device monitoring program this month
The FDA aims to introduce this month a more stringent process for tracking approved medical technologies, which includes designating a unique number to each device to allow the agency to better monitor system malfunctions. "The ability of the unique device identifier number to strengthen our post-market surveillance is enormous," the FDA's Peper Long said. The Wall Street Journal
(4/9)
 | A Premier Compliance Designation — Only from AHIP
AHIP's new Healthcare Compliance Professional™ (HCPTM) is the only professional designation designed specifically for health insurance professionals who are at the center of organizations' efforts to implement ACA. Credits can be earned through participation in conferences, workshops, and webinars. To learn more, click here.
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| AHIP News | | |
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Compliance focused? Join our webinar April 25
AHIP will host an online webinar from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET on April 25, about market conduct reviews from the compliance officers’ and regulators’ viewpoints. Hear industry leaders discuss their successful onsite audit strategies and legal strategies for addressing potential audit issues. Earn one credit toward AHIP’s newest professional designation, the Healthcare Compliance ProfessionalTM. See details here.
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The AHIP Select Program
Laying the groundwork to implement health care reform at your organization involves finding and working with organizations that can support your efforts. From complex data analysis to information technology solutions, AHIP Select Program Members specialize in providing products and services for the health care industry. Learn more here.
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Latest news and the health plan perspective
AHIP Coverage highlights breaking news and developments in the health care system and provides insight on how these issues impact consumers, businesses and the economy.
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