| February 20, 2013 | America's Health Insurance Plans |
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- Gains in childhood cancer survival slow
Although the five-year survival rate of children with cancer increased from 30% in the 1960s to 80% in 2000s, improvement has leveled off, physicians wrote in Lancet Oncology. The report's authors say the approach to research and regulation must be modernized to address the issue. Just 15 childhood cancer drugs have been allowed for use in children since 1998. Bloomberg Businessweek
(2/19)     
- Hip implants fail more often in women than men, study finds
U.S. researchers looked at more than 35,000 hip replacement surgeries and found that the rate of implant failure five years after the procedure was higher in women than men. The findings, published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, suggest that gender differences in outcomes for hip replacements should be considered in patient management as well as device development. HealthDay News
(2/18)
 | Drive successful behavior change.
When your care managers know what members’ responses are to prescribed education, they can better guide them to action. Hear from a behavioral health expert on how member response makes behavior change happen. |
| Providers & Suppliers |  |  |
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- Research ties income inequality to hospital readmissions
States with the highest level of income inequality had an additional 40,000 hospital readmissions over three years compared with other states, a study in BMJ found. Researchers found no evidence that greater divides between rich and poor were substantially linked to increased mortality risk. HealthDay News
(2/15)
- Hospitals join patient safety initiative
More than 20 hospitals and hospital groups have committed to actions that will increase patient safety, while nine medical device firms will make patient information more accessible, according to the Patient Safety, Science & Technology Movement. The action plans include goals linked to the prevention of catheter line-associated bloodstream infections, as well as pledges involving education about blood transfusions and proper blood management. BeckersHospitalReview.com
(2/15)
| Medical Update | | |
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- Research explores age, mortality and obesity
Although previous research has suggested the connection between obesity and mortality becomes less important with age, researchers at Columbia University found the link between obesity and death risk grows stronger as age increases. The findings appear in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Healio/Endocrine Today
(2/19)
- Blood vessel damage found in brains of people with Alzheimer's
Researchers compared the brains of people with and without Alzheimer's disease and found that those with Alzheimer's had greater areas of blood vessel damage than those without the condition. They also found blood vessel damage in people suffering from mild memory problems. The study appeared online in JAMA Neurology. HealthDay News
(2/18)
| Emerging Trends | | |
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- Tablet-based app helps assess patients' neuromuscular conditions
A tablet-based platform called NeuroAssess is being created by researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard and the Beth Israel Medical Center. The tool leverages an application that is capable of examining baseline data from patients to describe their neuromuscular conditions. In addition, the platform is being tested for its ability to detect concussions in athletes. CNET/Cutting Edge blog
(2/18)
| Health Insurance Plan Company News | | |
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| Pharma News | | |
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- HCV drug from Gilead shows efficacy in late-stage trial
Hepatitis C patients with certain genotypes who took Gilead Sciences' sofosbuvir in a late-stage clinical trial had cure rates of 50% at 12 weeks and 73% at 16 weeks, compared with the 25% historic cure rate among such patients. Sofosbuvir-treated patients with cirrhosis showed lower sustained virologic response, researchers said. Yahoo/Reuters
(2/19)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- ONC voluntary guidelines for HIE will be issued in coming months
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT will release voluntary guidelines for health information exchange in the first half of 2013. The guidelines, given instead of a formal rule, will allow for feedback and sharing of best practices in the health care community. The ONC will update guidelines periodically in an effort to "get something out to reduce uncertainty and let people know what we're thinking," said ONC policy analyst Steve Posnack. HealthCareInfoSecurity.com
(2/15)
| AHIP News | | |
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Get answers to your exchange implementation questions
AHIP’s Exchange Conference, March 14 and 15 in Washington, D.C., is your opportunity to gain valuable insights in sessions including “SHOP Exchanges: Strategic and Operational Preparedness for Health Plans” and “Employer Requirements in an Exchange Environment.” You’ll leave with dozens of answers to help you prepare for Exchanges. Register now.
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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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Health systems change initiative launched
AHIP Foundation announces the launch of the Institute for Health Systems Solutions (IHSS), an initiative designed to help advance new ideas regarding the delivery and financing of health care through credible, independent research and analysis. Learn more.
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| Position Title | Company Name | Location |
| Associate Medical Director (Part-Time) | UCare | Minneapolis, MN |
| Integrated Market Medical Executive | Kindred Healthcare | Las Vegas, NV |
| Vice President, Provider Relations & Credentialing | Confidential | Wyomissing, PA |
| Vice President, Health Plan Operations | Satellite Health Plan, Inc. | San Jose, CA |
| Vice President Member Group | Louisiana Health Cooperative, Inc. | New Orleans, LA |
| Manager, Payor Relations | The joint Commission | Oakbrook Terrace, IL |
| Government Relations and Compliance Officer | Louisiana Health Cooperative, Inc. | Metarie, LA |
| Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | Louisiana Health Cooperative Inc. (LAHC) | Metarie, LA |
| Asst Director, Medicare Prod. Analytics/Rev. Mgmt | Cambia | Portland, OR |
| CAQH Managing Director, Finance and Administration | Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare | Washington, DC |
| Director of Product Management, UPD | Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) | Washington, DC |
| 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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 | We must travel in the direction of our fear."
--John Berryman,
American poet and scholar
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| AHIP Solutions Team |
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| | Recent AHIP Solutions SmartBrief Issues:
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- Monday, February 18, 2013
- Friday, February 15, 2013
- Thursday, February 14, 2013
- Wednesday, February 13, 2013
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