| December 27, 2012 | America's Health Insurance Plans |
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- Undiagnosed diabetes linked to poorer outcomes in breast cancer
Twenty-six percent of women with breast cancer in a study had previously undiagnosed diabetes, according to research published in BMC Cancer. "In breast cancer, previously undiagnosed diabetes is associated with advanced stage cancer and increased mortality," the researchers wrote. "Identifying biological factors would require further investigation." Healio/O&P Business News
(12/26)     
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- Researchers: Well-designed patient surveys offer useful insight
An opinion piece in the New England Journal of Medicine argues that well-designed patient satisfaction surveys offer "robust measures of quality," and the authors say providers should devote greater effort to assessment of patient experiences. "We have found that patient-reported measures not only are strongly correlated with better outcomes but also largely capture patient evaluation of care-focused communication with nurses and physicians, rather than noncore aspects of patient experience, such as room features and meals," the authors wrote. Modern Healthcare (subscription required)
(12/26)
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- CDC: Obesity rates drop slightly in preschool-aged children
The percentage of obese, low-income preschoolers declined from above 15% in 2003 to below 15% in 2010, CDC researchers report in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The rate of extreme obesity fell from 2.2% in 2003 to below 2.1% in 2010. Progress in reducing childhood obesity rates may be related to greater breast-feeding rates and increasing awareness of the importance of exercise, researchers said. Reuters
(12/25)
- Study: CRC screening is no better with online education
A study of more than 900 women found online educational materials aimed at improving colorectal cancer screening rates were no more effective than printed outreach materials or usual care, according to researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center and Case Western. Only about 12% of women were screened regardless of educational materials, which gastroenterologist Dr. Hemant Roy said was "flabbergastingly disappointing." WBUR-FM (Boston)/National Public Radio
(12/21)
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| Pharma News | | |
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- FDA issues guidance to expedite drug development
The FDA has released a draft guidance document designed to help drug companies speed development. The 42-page guidance outlines "enrichment strategies" meant to improve the efficiency of drug trials such as excluding patients unlikely to demonstrate clinical benefit. "These are potentially powerful strategies for the pharmaceutical industry because appropriate use of enrichment could result in smaller studies, shortened drug development times, and lower development costs," wrote Dr. Bob Temple of the FDA. MedPage Today (free registration)
(12/26)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- HHS seeks feedback on HIT safety plan
HHS is seeking public comments as it unveils a safety plan from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT to address the possibility that HIT contributes to medical errors. The action program includes strategies and objectives to encourage stakeholders to better organize their plans to boost the safety of HIT. The deadline for comments is Feb. 4. Health Data Management
(12/24)
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Share ideas at AHIP's Dual Eligibles Summit
AHIP's Dual Eligibles Summit: Improving Care, Coverage, and Cost, March 12 in Washington, D.C., will convene policymakers, advocates, providers, health plans, and community-based organizations to examine the latest federal and state developments and discuss issues related to access, care integration, and quality measurement for dual eligibles. Click here to register by Dec. 31 and take advantage of special year-end pricing.
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AHIP's immunization compendia highlights health plan strategies
Immunization Innovations is AHIP's online compendia of pioneering programs and leading best practices for measuring and improving immunization rates. Complete with outreach tools, educational resources, and marketing materials, AHIP's "Immunization Innovations" infographic highlights promising models that health plans around the country have used to improve immunization rates in all populations.
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Follow @AHIPEducation on Twitter
For updates related to AHIP's various educational offerings, including conference news, upcoming webinars, and the latest online health insurance courses, follow @AHIPEducation on Twitter.
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| Position Title | Company Name | Location |
| Senior Provider Relations & Network Development Associate | Geisinger Health Plan | Bangor, ME |
| Chief Executive Officer | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | Providence, RI |
| Director of QI & Accreditation | Denver Health & Hospital Authority | Denver, CO |
| Medical Director | Arizona Integrated Physicians Inc. | Peoria, AZ |
| Program Manager - Medicare Advantage & Part D Products | AARP Services, Inc | Washington, DC |
| Manager Special Investigations Unit | SCAN Health Plan | Long Beach, CA |
| Program Manager, Medicare Supplemental Products | AARP Services, Inc | Washington, DC |
| Associate General Counsel | BMC HealthNet Plan | Boston, MA |
| Director of Claims Administration | HealthSCOPE Benefits, Inc. | Little Rock, AR |
| Vice President - Exchange Business | MVP Health Care | Schenectady or Rochester, NY |
| Vice President, Operations & Information Technology | Louisiana Health Cooperative, Inc. | New Orleans, LA |
| Analytics Advisor | Confidential | Scottsdale, AZ |
| EID Program Manager | Minnesota Management & Budget | St. Paul, MN |
| Chief Executive Officer | Health Plan of San Joaquin | French Camp, CA |
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| Click here to view more job listings. |
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| SmartQuote | | |
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 | People who lean on logic and philosophy and rational exposition end by starving the best part of the mind."
--William Butler Yeats,
Irish poet and playwright
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| AHIP Solutions Team |
Managing Editor, Online Publishing:
Yvonne Chanatry
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| | Recent AHIP Solutions SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, December 26, 2012
- Monday, December 24, 2012
- Friday, December 21, 2012
- Thursday, December 20, 2012
- Wednesday, December 19, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Melissa Turner
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