Collaboration within the health care system and administrative efficiencies are fundamental elements to any number of today’s health care reform proposals in Washington, DC. New tools from Highmark to conduct real-time claims processing and real-time member liability estimation are driving collaboration and streamlining medical claims processing right in health care provider offices.
Real-time claims processing and [...]

Although President Obama has called for affordable, accessible, high-quality health care for all Americans, “There’s no guarantee the legislation will bridge the long term care gap,” says Denise Gott. “Only about 9 million Americans, a fraction of our 300 million plus, have long term care insurance. And among those at greatest risk, 45 and older, [...]

IHI provides an explanation on how those hit hardest with the downturn in the economy can access affordable options in healthcare coverage.
Rising unemployment, decreasing coverage from employers, and the high cost of COBRA insurance has more and more people turning to the individual health insurance market. Meant for both individuals, families, and the self-employed, this [...]

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. (BCBSF) has completed its acquisition of Florida Health Care Plan, Inc. (FHCP) from Halifax Hospital Medical Center (HHMC). FHCP will operate as a community-based, locally-managed, HMO subsidiary of BCBSF, serving Volusia and Flagler counties.
FHCP is a successful, high quality, mixed staff-model health care plan with 53,000 members [...]

Ivan Seidenberg, chairman and CEO of Verizon Communications and chair of Business Roundtable’s Consumer Health and Retirement Initiative, today presented a plan for revitalizing America’s health care system at the Senate Finance Committee’s first post-election hearing on health care reform.
“Rampant cost increases in the medical system mean we’re paying more for less value. Health care [...]

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) announced that local medical facilities with the Blue Distinction® designation are making a difference in health care outcomes and value. By collaborating with employer groups, providers, and specialty medical societies, BCBSMA is able to provide consumers with important quality information.
Blue Distinction is a nationwide program that recognizes [...]

As Americans mark breast cancer awareness month, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius today released a new report, Health Insurance Reform and Breast Cancer: Making the Health Care System Work for Women. The report details how health insurance reform will help women diagnosed with breast cancer and is available now at www.HealthReform.gov.
“Thousands of [...]

Olympus Managed Health Care Inc. a leading provider of health care claims administration and cost containment services, announced the appointment of Robert Lavers as Senior Consultant. In this newly created role, Mr. Lavers will have overall responsibility for the firm’s business development and expansion initiatives throughout Asia.
“We are very pleased to have Bob join our [...]

Olympus Managed Health Care Inc., a leading provider of health care claims administration and cost containment services, announced today that Steve Stoute, a veteran insurance industry executive, has been appointed to the company’s Board of Advisors. The Board establishes and manages the strategic direction of the company.
Stoute brings nearly 50 years of insurance industry experience [...]

Key Senate Democrats said on Thursday the cost of their plan to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system has dropped to $611 billion over a decade, a figure they hope will help draw wider bipartisan support in Congress.
Democratic Senators Edward Kennedy and Christopher Dodd, who are leading the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pension Committee’s efforts [...]