| November 2, 2012 | America's Health Insurance Plans |
 |  |
- Study examines breast cancer mortality and race
Black women with breast cancer had a 48% higher risk of death in the first three years after diagnosis, and a 34% greater risk of death afterward, compared with white patients, according to a study of more than 19,000 female patients with breast cancer in the U.S. Researchers said Asian women with breast cancer had a 40% lower risk of death than whites. The study was presented at a meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. HealthDay News
(10/31)     
 | Inovalon is a healthcare technology company that combines advanced data analytics with highly targeted interventions to achieve meaningful impact in clinical outcomes and financial performance across the healthcare landscape. To see healthcare empowered, visit www.inovalon.com. |
- Poll finds doctors are concerned about BYOD security
More than three-quarters of physicians said in a survey that they're applying bring-your-own-device policies to their hospital practices, but many remain concerned about the security of private patient data. KLAS polled 105 clinicians who use applications from a number of providers and found that HIPAA compliance remains their top concern. A separate finding revealed that many physicians continue to struggle to input patient data on tablet PCs. InformationWeek
(10/31)
- Specialists offer tips for communicating with elderly patients
Doctors who treat elderly patients must make themselves aware of each patient's limitations while being careful to avoid stereotyping, the Gerontological Society of America says in a new report. The group offers guidelines for improving communication with elderly patients, including minimizing background noise, monitoring and controlling gestures and other nonverbal behavior when talking with patients, facing patients when speaking, and reinforcing verbal information and instructions with easy-to-understand printed materials. American Medical News (free content)
(10/29)
 | Reducing Readmissions with Post-Acute Transitional Care
Amedisys Care Transitions is designed to reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions through patient and caregiver health coaching and care coordination, which starts in the hospital and continues throughout completion of the patient's home health plan of care. Download the guide to providing your patients with transitional care. |
|
| Medical Update |  |  |
|
- Sugary drinks raise stroke risk in women, study says
Women who consumed soft drinks and other sweetened beverages almost every day had an 83% higher risk of stroke than women who never or rarely drank sugary beverages, according to a study of nearly 40,000 people in Japan. The study failed to find a link between sugary drinks and stroke risk in men. The findings were published online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Reuters
(10/30)
- CDC: Spread of West Nile outbreak begins to wane
The CDC reported on Wednesday that the West Nile virus outbreak continues to spread, but the pace seems to be slowing. Researchers reported 166 new cases, including four deaths, in the last week, down from 199 new cases, including 36 deaths, the previous week. Reuters
(10/31)
| Emerging Trends | | |
|
- Implantable gastric stimulator keeps hunger at bay
IntraPace has created abiliti, a gastric stimulator implant designed to help certain patients who are obese shed weight by reducing the feeling of hunger and encouraging long-term weight-loss habits. The device links with a Web-based portal, called my.abiliti, where patients can evaluate their food intake and activity levels and share that data to approved peers for social motivation. MedGadget.com
(10/30)
- WHO, PAHO unveil app to monitor adolescents' health
The World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization have unveiled a mobile application, called the eGlobal School-based Student Health Survey, to assist professionals in monitoring the safety, fitness and health of individuals aged 13 to 15 in more than 30 countries across the Americas. The app assists adolescent populations by taking various health measures including those that promote hygiene and physical activity. MobiHealthNews.com
(10/31)
| Health Insurance Plan Company News | | |
|
| Pharma News | | |
|
- FDA re-examines extended-release generics
The FDA is taking a closer look at the techniques used by the makers of generic drugs to produce extended-release treatments after Impax Laboratories and Teva Pharmaceuticals' generic bupropion didn't work as well as brand-name depression drug Wellbutrin XL. "This has actually prompted us to change our policy," said Dr. Gregory Geba, head of the FDA's generic drugs office. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(10/31)
- Boys have higher risk of long-term OTC drug abuse
Both male and female junior high school students surveyed in Cincinnati had high rates of over-the-counter drug abuse, but males were more prone to long-term abuse, U.S. researchers found. They noted that involvement in positive activities such as sports or school clubs was associated with a lower risk of OTC drug abuse. The study was presented at the American Public Health Association meeting. HealthDay News
(10/31)
 |
|  |
| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MedfusionRx Ascend is now BriovaRx™
Catamaran™ takes a hands-on approach to personalized care with new specialty pharmacy: BriovaRx™. We transcend patient care and take care of people, so every patient achieves not only successful treatment, but a healthy, vibrant life. Learn about our services for providers, payers and manufacturers at BriovaRx.com
Interested in learning more about advertising with SmartBrief? Click here for detailed industry information and media kits.
| |
 |
|  |
| Policy Watch | | |
|
- ONC calls on software developers to enhance EHR readability
The ONC is challenging graphic designers to find ways to improve the readability of EHRs, including using the Blue Button tool to make patient data accessible. "By making a patient record more usable, designers can help to prevent medical errors, empower patients to make smart health decisions and even save lives," ONC official Ryan Panchadsaram said in a blog post. Health Data Management
(10/31)
| AHIP News | | |
|
-
Enjoy various recorded sessions from Institute 2012
The Institute 2012 Media Portal gives you access to various Institute recorded sessions and PowerPoint presentations through Dec. 31, 2012. You can enjoy sessions including “Strategies for Helping Consumers Make Prudent Health Decisions” and “Thinking Forward: Doorways to Health System Change.” Click here for details and purchase access here.
-
Build your compliance capabilities at Fall Forum
A Compliance Track has been planned at AHIP’s Fall Forum focused on changes employers and health plans will face in the year ahead. You’ll learn how to protect health plan data, discuss compliance issues inside and outside of Exchanges, how to manage compliance for small and large groups, and more. Join us Dec. 3 to 5 in Chicago. Register today.
-
Less search time and more qualified candidates
AHIP’s three “SmartBrief” Job Boards focus exclusively on health insurance—that’s why it takes less time to find the right candidates when you post your job openings with us. Our Job Boards are an effective way to reach top professionals who stay informed about health care by opting-in to receive our daily e-newsletters. Click here to get started.
|
|
 |
| Position Title | Company Name | Location |
| Project Associate, Sponsored Projects | America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) | Washington, DC |
| Manager Special Investigations Unit | SCAN Health Plan | Long Beach, CA |
| Medical Director | Virginia Premier Health Plan | Richmond, VA |
| PROV RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE | Geisinger Health | Harrisburg, PA |
| Executive Director | Maryland Health Insurance Plan | Baltimore, MD |
| Chief Financial Officer | Neighborhood Health Plan | Boston, MA |
| Quality Improvement Coordinator | Geisinger Health Plan | Danville, PA |
| Director - Corporate Counsel | Delta Dental of California | San Francisco, CA |
| Counsel | Delta Dental of California | San Francisco, CA |
| Clinical Compliance Manager | Regence | Portland, OR |
| Senior Vice President, Product Innovation and Development | Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | Wellesley, MA |
| Vice President Member Group | Louisiana Health Cooperative, Inc. | New Orleans, LA |
| Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | Louisiana Health Cooperative, Inc. | New Orleans, LA |
| Vice President, Clinical Care Integration | Louisiana Health Cooperative, Inc. | New Orleans, LA |
| Regional Director Payor Contracts | Ameritox | Nationwide, United States |
| Vice President, Operations & Information Technology | Louisiana Health Cooperative, Inc. | New Orleans, LA |
| Vice President, Network Development and Provider Relations | Louisiana Health Cooperative, Inc. | New Orleans, LA |
| Chief Executive Officer | Louisiana Health Cooperative, Inc. | New Orleans, LA |
| Chief Executive Officer | Qualidigm | Rocky Hill, CT |
| CAQH CORE Manager, Education, Outreach and Participant Relations | Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare | Washington, DC |
| Executive Director of the WMC Physician Hospital Organization | Wyoming Medical Center | Casper, WY |
|
| Click here to view more job listings. |
|
|
| SmartQuote | | |
|
 | Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can't try to do things. You simply must do things."
--Ray Bradbury,
American writer
|
| |
| |
| AHIP Solutions Team |
Managing Editor, Online Publishing:
Yvonne Chanatry
|
|
| |
| |
| | Recent AHIP Solutions SmartBrief Issues:
- Thursday, November 01, 2012
- Wednesday, October 31, 2012
- Tuesday, October 30, 2012
- Monday, October 29, 2012
- Friday, October 26, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Melissa Turner
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 | |
| |
|
© 1999-2012 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information
Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do
not reflect actual AHIP endorsements. The news reported in SmartBrief does not
necessarily reflect the official position of AHIP.
|
|
