Top Stories

• CDC: Flu season appears to be waning
  CDC officials report that in much of the U.S., flu season is starting to wind down, according to data from the week ending Feb. 2. Widespread flu activity was reported in 38 states, down from 42, and mortality attributed to influenza also was down. Nineteen states recorded high levels of flu activity, the agency said. USA Today (2/8), U.S. News & World Report (2/8)     

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Providers & Suppliers

• Incorporating health literacy may bolster patient engagement
  A commentary in Health Affairs suggests hospitals that make health literacy a priority may improve patient engagement. Researchers outlined a model that incorporates the six structural aspects of the Care Model with 20 strategies from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit. BeckersHospitalReview.com (2/8)     

Medical Update

• Increase seen in birth defect rate for multiple births
  About 11 in every 10,000 multiple births across 14 European countries in 2007 had congenital defects, up from about six in every 10,000 multiple births in 1984, according to a study in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Researchers noted that the largest increase in birth defects among multiples was not due to chromosomal abnormalities. Reuters (2/7)     

• Study ties bone mass to higher BMI among women
  Women who had high bone mass were nearly 20 pounds heavier and had a 4.5% lower portion of lean body mass than those in the control group of a study that suggests bone mass may be linked with BMI. Researchers noted "a particular tendency toward central adiposity" among patients with high bone mass and suggested that the relationship is a causative one, but more study is needed. The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Healio/Endocrine Today (2/8)     

Emerging Trends

• Developer unveils telemedicine tool for iPad
  The ControlStation App for iPad was recently unveiled by InTouch Health. The application, which works as an interface physicians can use to hold telehealth consultations with patients, can be linked to any InTouch devices, such as the RP-VITA. MedGadget.com (2/7)     

• Flu detection, angioplasty and wound care devices get FDA OK
  The FDA has cleared the CDC to market a device used to identify the presence of human influenza virus. The agency also approved the use of Intuit Medical's DK-PTCA Balloon Catheter in coronary angioplasty as well as the launch of Molnlycke Health Care's Avance Foam Dressing Kits for treating wounds. American City Business Journals/Atlanta/A Healthy Conversation blog (2/6)     

Health Insurance Plan Company News

• Aetna Offers Affordable Benefits Package for FBP Association Members

• Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Selected for Participation in Centennial Care

• Four UnitedHealthcare Connecticut Medicare Advantage Plans Achieve Top NCQA Accreditation

• Aetna Appoints Michael Kolodziej, M.D., to Lead Oncology Strategies

Vendor Company News

• IBM Watson Hard At Work: New Breakthroughs Transform Quality Care for Patients

• Optum’s LHI Awarded Reserve Health Readiness Contract by U.S. Department of Defense

• TriZetto’s Jeff Rideout, M.D., Among National Leaders Participating in CalPERS and White House Forums on New Care-Delivery Models

• Horizon Health Services Selects OneHealth Behavior Change Platform to Expand Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Services

• Stratose Announces Stratified Claim Negotiations

• Softheon Relocates to Stony Brook University Advanced Research and Development Facility

• MedeAnalytics Announces Three Executive Appointments

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by AHIP Solutions SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Cases of Alzheimer's in U.S. expected to surge to 14M by 2050 (Nurse.com)

• Low cost, high satisfaction seen with online consults (InformationWeek)

• Experts ID factors that raise health care costs in diabetes (PhysiciansBriefing.com)

• Flu particularly dangerous for seniors this year, CDC data show (USA Today)

• Research finds more heart attack, stroke deaths in winter (The Washington Post)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Pharma News

• Macleods gets FDA nod for generic Actos
  Macleods Pharma received FDA approval for its pioglitazone hydrochloride tablets in three strengths: 15 mg, 30 mg and 45 mg. The drug is a generic formulation of the diabetes treatment Actos, made by Takeda. Drug Store News (2/8)     

• Celgene's Pomalyst receives federal approval
  The FDA has granted Celgene approval for its Pomalyst drug to treat multiple myeloma patients whose condition progressed after trying other cancer therapies. Drug Store News (2/8)     

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Policy Watch

• Guidance for new Alzheimer's treatments unveiled by FDA
  The FDA released a nine-page draft guidance document that recommends ways to develop medicines aimed at treating Alzheimer's disease before the onset of brain damage and memory loss. According to a drug industry trade group, a lack of noninvasive, validated biomarkers and the nature of the illness itself as reasons behind statistics that show only three drugs out of 101 candidates have been approved since 1998. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (2/7), The Hill/RegWatch blog (2/7), Reuters (2/7)     

AHIP News

• Amy Walter just added to the Policy Forum agenda
  Join AHIP at the 2013 National Policy Forum, March 13 and 14 in Washington, D.C., for thought-provoking perspectives on economic, financial and ethical matters. Amy Walter, National Editor, The Cook Political Report; Former Political Director, ABC, will lead a discussion during the lunch session “Political Update and 2013 Outlook: Common Ground or More of the Same?” Register today.     

• Report and Infographic: A Hidden Threat to Affordability
  A new report and infographic show that some physicians who choose not to participate in health insurance networks are charging patients fees that are 10 times& -- and in some cases, nearly 100 times -- Medicare reimbursement for the same service in the same geographic area. Learn more.     

• AHIP PPO Direct – Growing business opportunities
  PPO Direct brings PPO network members exposure to an audience of potential payers and administrators looking to expand their provider network. HealthLink, a member of PPO Direct, is one of the largest health care organizations in the central United States, serving nearly 1 million medical enrollees and 1.4 million Workers' Compensation enrollees of health plans that access a HealthLink network program.     

Position Title Company Name Location 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 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 CAQH Managing Director, Finance and Administration Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare Washington, DC Asst Director, Medicare Prod. Analytics/Rev. Mgmt Cambia Portland, OR Director of Sales & Marketing Hometown Health Reno, NV Marketing/Communications Data Analyst America's Health Insurance Plans Washington, DC Media Relations Coordinator America's Health Insurance Plans Washington, DC

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SmartQuote

The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. ... The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them." --George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright