Top Stories

• Flu particularly dangerous for seniors this year, CDC data show
  Although influenza is beginning to taper nationwide, the outbreak remains serious and seniors are at particular risk, CDC epidemiologist Michael Jhung reported Friday. Jhung said the rate of deaths associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza was 116 per 100,000 cases among patients older than 65. "We've still got several weeks of the season yet, so it's going to be much worse," Jhung said. USA Today (2/3)     

Providers & Suppliers

• Health care industry adds 23,000 jobs in January
  Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the health care industry generated 23,000 jobs in January, building on growth seen in 2012. Physician practices added 9,200 jobs, while hospitals generated 3,600 jobs, researchers noted. Healthcare Finance News (2/1)     

• Study explores demographics of PAs in primary care
  A study in the Annals of Family Medicine revealed about one-third of physician assistants opt for employment in a primary care setting. Researchers also found PAs who were older, female and Hispanic were more likely to choose primary care, mirroring trends seen among medical students. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (2/1)     

• Group releases new stroke care guidelines
  Stroke patients should be given anticlotting drugs and other necessary treatments within one hour of arriving in the emergency department to reduce brain damage and hasten recovery, according to new guidelines developed by the American Stroke Association. To maximize its effectiveness, the clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator should be given within four and a half hours after the onset of symptoms, the group said. The guidelines appeared online in the journal Stroke. HealthDay News (1/31)     

Medical Update

• Avoiding meat is better for the heart, research indicates
  Vegetarians were 32% less likely to be hospitalized or die from heart disease than those who eat meat or fish, according to a U.K. study to be published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Aside from having reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels, vegetarians had lower body mass indices and were less likely to suffer from diabetes than nonvegetarians, researchers said. Nurse.com (1/30)     

• Review questions psychological, dietary ADHD therapies
  A review of 54 studies in the American Journal of Psychiatry showed little evidence that nonpharmacological treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, such as psychological or dietary interventions, can reduce symptoms. Parents should not be discouraged because the findings only "demonstrate that what we once thought worked is more limited and more questionable," study co-author Dr. Emily Simonoff said. WebMD/HealthDay News (1/30)     

Emerging Trends

• Wireless DR cassette system from Fuji is released
  A digital radiography cassette device that features irradiation side sampling technology and a cesium iodide scintillator has been introduced by Fujifilm Medical Systems USA. The wireless cassette system, called FDR D-Evo plus C35i, cuts imaging time through automatic trimming. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (1/31)     

Health Insurance Plan Company News

• AHIP Coverage: The Latest Health Care-Related Legislation

• AHIP Coverage: New Report Examines Physician Out-of-Network Charges

• WPS Health Insurance, a Leading Provider of Individual Health Insurance, Begins American Heart Month with Go Red for Women

Vendor Company News

• Emdeon Awarded Health and Human Services Contract to Define Process for Electronic Healthcare Transaction Standards

• Healthx: New Infographic Maps the Rise of Chronic Disease Healthcare Costs and the Future of Mobile Technology

• TriZetto’s New Branding Reflects Business Evolution and Focus on Enabling Greater Collaboration for More Efficient, Effective Healthcare

• Kohl's and Baldwin Publishing help All Children's Hospital target childhood obesity with video recipes

• Truven Health Analytics Names Michael L. Taylor, MD, Chief Medical Officer

• Walgreens Promotes Joseph Magnacca to Executive Vice President

Hot Topics

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

• Study: Out-of-network billing is out of control (The New York Times (tiered subscription model))

• Prevalence of smoking varies across U.S., CDC finds (DoctorsLounge.com)

• CDC: Vaccination rates for certain diseases "unacceptably low" (Reuters)

• Flu activity eases in some regions, CDC says (HealthDay News)

• Report calls for U.S. to move toward preventive health model (Reuters)

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

Pharma News

• Report maps psychiatric drug use in the U.S.
  Use of antipsychotics, antidepressants and stimulants is 40% greater in parts of the southern U.S. than in other regions, researchers wrote in the journal Health & Place, while patients living in the western U.S. are least likely to take psychiatric medications. "Our work suggests that access to clinical care and pharmaceutical marketing may be critical for understanding who gets treated and how they get treated," said Marissa King of Yale University. HealthDay News (2/1)     

• Hyperion's Ravicti wins FDA approval for rare urea cycle disorders
  The FDA has approved Hyperion Therapeutics' Ravicti, or glycerol phenylbutyrate, to treat patients ages 2 and older with urea cycle disorders. The treatment, which holds an orphan-drug status, should be combined with a protein-restricted diet and possibly dietary supplements, the FDA said. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (2/1), Reuters (2/1)     

Policy Watch

• Agency releases final Sunshine Act rule
  CMS on Friday released the final rule for the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, requiring drug and device companies to gather information on gifts, payments and other value transfers provided to doctors and teaching hospitals starting Aug. 1. The rule also requires manufacturers and group purchasing organizations to report ownership and investment interests by physicians. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (2/1)     

AHIP News

• AHIP’s Exchange Conference addresses operational needs and questions
  With less than a year before Exchanges go live and open enrollment beginning this fall, your need for information is greater than ever. Sessions at AHIP’s Exchange Conference, March 14 and 15 in Washington, D.C., will address SHOP Exchanges, the employer perspective, network adequacy and care continuity, and more. Learn more and register.     

• Institute 2013: Payment/Delivery Reform, IT, Quality Care
  From the torrid pace of change taking place with innovative payment and delivery system reforms, to the leveraging of information technology at all levels of care, and public and private purchasers demanding greater value for health spending, AHIP’s Institute 2013, June 12 to 14, will help you navigate these uncharted paths. Register now.     

• 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.     

Position Title Company Name Location Sales Manager RxAlly Leesburg, VA 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 CEO CarePoint Health Plan CarePoint Health Plan Bayonne, NJ Asst Director, Medicare Prod. Analytics/Rev. Mgmt Cambia Portland, OR Director of Sales & Marketing Hometown Health Reno, NV Vice President, Medical Affairs and Senior Medical Director Confidential Not-for-Profit Health Plan Nationwide, United States Product Development Specialist Geisinger Health Plan Danville, PA 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

To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, subtract things every day." --Laozi, Chinese philosopher