| December 4, 2012 | America's Health Insurance Plans |
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- CDC warns of early, severe flu season
CDC officials announced Monday that the 2012-13 flu season has started nearly a month earlier than expected, with influenza A(H3N2) being this year's dominant strain, and they said this could be a bad year for flu. However, the influenza vaccine this year is a 90% match for the samples examined by the agency, officials said. "My advice is: Get the vaccine now," said infectious diseases specialist Dr. James Steinberg of Emory University. The Boston Globe/The Associated Press (tiered subscription model)
(12/4), Family Practice News
(12/3)
 | 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. |
- Psychiatric group OKs changes to diagnostic manual
The American Psychiatric Association's board of trustees has approved the fifth edition of its diagnostic manual for mental illnesses. The guide includes Asperger's syndrome and "pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified" in the autism spectrum disorder category and introduces a new diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder for children. The Wall Street Journal
(12/1), Bloomberg
(12/2)     
- Survey explores physicians' use of mobile devices, websites
According to a comScore study evaluating physicians' Web and device use, electronic medical records saw the greatest number of visits per site and the longest duration of use compared with other websites for health care professionals. Researchers also found that tablet computers are gaining prominence, with 44% of physicians using the devices and a majority saying they prefer using the devices over mobile phones. EHR Intelligence
(12/3)
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| | Save on Rx after Brand-Generic Maxed — Download Savings Calculator
Health care payers attempting to reduce Rx spending may have exhausted their potential to switch members from brand to generic. One solution is to move members from their current brand drugs to less expensive alternative brands with equivalent therapeutic intent. Calculate potential savings here.
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- Study links repeat imaging to breast cancer risk
An increase in the use of chest or cardiac computed tomography in young women was linked to a twofold increase in the 10-year risk of developing breast cancer, according to a retrospective analysis. "A child or young adult who underwent two cardiac or chest CTs before the age of 23 has a higher 10-year risk of developing breast cancer from these exams than her underlying risk of developing breast cancer in the same period," the authors wrote. The findings were presented at a Radiological Society of North America meeting. MedPage Today (free registration)
(12/2)
- Steroid shots may cause bone loss in older women
Researchers tracked 28 older women who received steroid injections for their back pain and found that they lost six times more bone mass in the hip over six months than women who didn't get the shots. The findings suggest that doctors should be careful in prescribing steroid injections to older women, particularly those who are prone to osteoporosis, researchers said. The study was published in the journal Spine. HealthDay News
(12/1)
| Emerging Trends |  |  |
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- Implant could measure brain pressure without surgery
A small implant designed to help doctors externally check brain pressure in young patients will begin animal testing soon, with the possibility of human trials in another two years. Neurosurgeon Josh Medow created the device for children with hydrocephalus after helping care for a boy who has undergone more than 150 brain surgeries to gauge his brain pressure. Wisconsin State Journal (Madison)
(12/2)
- Mobile app helps screen newborns for heart defects
A smartphone application created by cardiologists at Children's HealthCare of Atlanta called Pulse Ox Tool can automate pulse oximetry screening calculations, helping to prevent a delay in diagnosis of congenital heart defects in newborns. The app, available at iTunes, Google Play and Windows, yielded substantially lower error rates compared with manually calculated algorithms. Modern Healthcare (subscription required)
(11/30)
| Health Insurance Plan Company News | | |
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| Pharma News | | |
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- Theravance's Vibativ gains partial support from FDA panel
An FDA advisory panel endorsed the approval of Theravance's once-daily antibiotic Vibativ to treat patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia when other alternatives are not suitable. But the drug failed to win the advisory committee's approval recommendation as a first-line therapy for the condition, also known as nosocomial pneumonia. Trial data failed to offer "substantial evidence" of Vibativ's safety and efficacy against hospital-acquired pneumonia, the panel said. American City Business Journals/San Francisco/BiotechSF blog
(11/30)
| Policy Watch | | |
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| AHIP News | | |
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U.S. health care spending 101 iPad App
AHIP has released a new iPad app that consolidates 50 years of data from the Congressional Budget Office, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Office of Management and Budget into a series of simple, interactive charts.
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HSA Direct--Showcasing AHIP's financial institution members
With the exponential popularity and growth of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), more and more health insurance plans are launching this product in their marketplaces. HSA Direct allows health insurance plans to easily and quickly access information about AHIP financial institution members. To learn about our HSA Direct members such as State Farm Bank please visit our website.
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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.
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| Position Title | Company Name | Location |
| Project Associate | America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) | Washington, DC |
| EID Program Manager | Minnesota Management & Budget | St. Paul, MN |
| Associate General Counsel | BMC HealthNet Plan | Boston, MA |
| Pharmacy Customer Service Manager | HealthPartners | Bloomington, MN |
| Vice President - Exchange Business | MVP Health Care | Schenectady or Rochester, NY |
| Vice President, Operations & Information Technology | Louisiana Health Cooperative, Inc. | New Orleans, LA |
| Sr Data Analyst | CVS Caremark | Northbrook, IL |
| Associate Director, CORE | Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) | Washington, DC |
| Internal Audit Director | UCare | Minneapolis, MN |
| Senior Director Claims Administration | Kaiser Permanente | Denver, CO |
| Chief Executive Officer | Beth Israel Deaconess Care Organization (BIDCO) | Boston, MA |
| Sr. Director, Healthcare Quality Assurance | Evolent Health | Arlington, DC |
| Medical Director | Arizona Integrated Physicians Inc. | Peoria, AZ |
| Executive Vice President of Health Insurance | Wisconsin Physicians Service Health Insurance | Madison, WI |
| Director Compliance, Medicare Part D | Director Compliance, Medicare Part D | Scottsdale, AZ |
| Provider Network Management Director | Blue Cross Blue Shiled of Georgia (WellPoint) | Statewide, GA |
| Medical Director | Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | Quincy, MA |
| CAQH CORE Manager, Education, Outreach and Participant Relations | Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare | Washington, DC |
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| Click here to view more job listings. |
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| SmartQuote | | |
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 | It is astonishing what force, purity and wisdom it requires for a human being to keep clear of falsehoods."
--Margaret Fuller,
American journalist and women's rights activist
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| AHIP Solutions Team |
Managing Editor, Online Publishing:
Yvonne Chanatry
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| | Recent AHIP Solutions SmartBrief Issues:
- Monday, December 03, 2012
- Friday, November 30, 2012
- Thursday, November 29, 2012
- Wednesday, November 28, 2012
- Tuesday, November 27, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Melissa Turner
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 | |
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