Dr. Vladimir Zelenko has now treated 699 Chinese Flu patients with 100% success using Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate, Zinc and Z-Pak. Dr. Zelenko claims he saw the symptom of shortness of breath resolved within four to six hours after treatment…………………..
Doctor Claims 100% Success Against Chinese Flu
March 30th, 2020“Free” Cafeteria Plan Administration
March 30th, 2020
By Molly Mulebriar
Brokers should be cautious yet most don’t seem to be as evidenced by the prolific offer and acceptance of “free” Cafeteria Plan administration services, especially among Texas public school districts.
5 Minute Coronavirus Test Announced By Abbott
March 28th, 2020
The Abbott ID NOW™ COVID-19 test brings rapid testing to the front lines………
China Boasts of Coronavirus Lung Transplants
March 27th, 2020
A majority of China’s organ transplants reportedly come from harvesting those of non-consensual “donors”…………….
Dentistry, Aerosol and COVID-19
March 26th, 2020
By Darrell Pruit, DDS
If my suspicion is correct – that aerosol driven from the mouths of patients by dentists’ high speed handpieces can carry the COVID-19 virus – we could be witnessing an alarming increase in dental office closures due to occupational illnesses in the weeks following Easter Sunday services, or even an official “all clear” signal much later.
Buyback Deductible
March 26th, 2020
“A buyback deductible, also called a deductible buyback, can be an add-on to an existing insurance contract or may be purchased separately.” For example, it can be a method to buy down a high deductible health plan specific to certain specified conditions.
Former Harlingen Car Salesman Turned Insurance Industry Legend
March 26th, 2020
He entered the insurance industry in 1964 when he was lured away from selling cars in Harlingen, TX……
School District Improves Benefits & Reduces Costs 50%
March 24th, 2020
School district cuts healthcare spending in half while reducing employee cost-sharing by $1,000. More evidence size doesn’t matter, smart risk management does…………….
Virtual Primary Care – Useful Access To Care in Today’s Pandemic
March 23rd, 2020Getting quality care just got a whole lot easier
Forget what you know about traditional primary care: the inconvenient scheduling, long wait times and increasing expenses. 98point6 is pioneering a new approach to primary care, using technology to bring affordable, on-demand access to everyone—because we think that’s the way it should be.
Healthcare’s Looming Financial Implosion
March 21st, 2020
America needs to establish a Hospital System Super Fund immediately of $300 billion-$600 billion……….
BCBS Seeks To Cultivate Relationships With Brokers Assigned To TRS ActiveCare Accounts?
March 21st, 2020
Sun Tzu
Could having a local representative on the ground disguised as a punching bag, gauging and influencing perception and needs among members be the motivation?
PBM Sends RiskManagers An Unsolicited Kickback
March 20th, 2020
As a fee based insurance consultancy, you can imagine our surprise when we opened a letter sent to us in February 2020 from a PBM and found an unsolicited commission check made payable to RiskManagers.
Austin, Texas Company Announces Home Chinese Flu Test
March 19th, 2020
Health Insurance Primer For Idiots
March 17th, 2020Health Insurance 101
Chapter 1 Correlation Between Provider Reimbursement & Rate Setting
Chapter 1 Takeaway: GREEN IS GOOD, RED IS BAD
By Molly Mulebriar
Provider reimbursement difference between a traditional Managed Care plan (PPO) and a Reference Based Pricing plan is illustrated in the graph above.
Cost Impact of Chinese Flu
March 16th, 2020
“Anyone know what the COVID-19 (Chinese Flu) Medicare CPT codes U0001 and U0002 Medicare payment rates are?” – Bill Rusteberg
“Bill, it’s our understanding those are old codes and fees. They have been updated and there are new fees. We’re trying to get confirmation, but it looks like Medicare will pay $305 for the test. We’ve heard hospitals will charge anywhere from $900-$3,000” – Physician
“Wow our TPA is already seeing cost of test between $2,000 and $3,600. We did decide to go ahead and cover testing under preventative so it is free for employees with our insurance” HR Director
“Our director of health services seem to think the test will run $295″ – HR Director
Plan Sponsors Discover Penny Lane
March 15th, 2020By Bill Rusteberg
Why do some plan sponsors settle balance bills for their members when they don’t have to in the first place? And when they do why do they often agree to pay significantly more than warranted in medical debt market rates?
Chinese Flu Hits Yoakum, Texas
March 13th, 2020
YOAKUM, Texas- A male patient was seen on March 7th at the Yoakum Community Hospital who presented mild flu like illness, returning a couple days later (specifics of date was not given) with shortness of breath prompted emergency position on call for the patient to be transferred to an Austin facility to be tested for COVID-19 resulting in a positive testing……………..
Society of Actuaries Research Brief: Impact of Coronavirus COVID-19
March 11th, 2020
“Transmission rates for diseases, and the intensity of an outbreak, are highly dependent on how the pathogen travels between people. Coronaviruses generally can travel up to six feet from an infected person, as they move through respiratory droplets produced through sneezes, coughs or conversations………..”
Book Release: The Great American Healthcare Scam
March 11th, 2020
Hello again everyone!
My book The Great American Healthcare Scam: How Kickbacks, Collusion and Propaganda Have Exploded Healthcare Costs in the United States is now available for purchase on Amazon Kindle.
Don’t Leave Fox Guarding Employer Plan
March 10th, 2020
A cautionary tale where a self-insured employer health plan implemented a reference-based pricing mechanism…………………
Down But Not Out – Legal Battle Over North Carolina Allegations Continues
March 10th, 2020
Greg Lindberg and his consultant are continuing to fight allegations that they promised to make improper campaign contributions to the re-election campaign for the North Carolina insurance commissioner.
Hurry, Eliminate Coronavirus for Only $300
March 9th, 2020
“Let’s say it hasn’t been tested on this strain of the coronavirus, but it’s been tested on other strains of the coronavirus, and it has been able to eliminate it within 12 hours.”
Texas Company Claims To Have Developed Coronavirus Vaccine
March 9th, 2020
Texas-based company claims to have developed coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine will first need to be tested on animals, but could be available by the end of the year.
Liability Needle For RBP Lawsuits
March 9th, 2020
By Bill Rusteberg
Reference Based Pricing plans have been around for many years now. Fear of lawsuits by medical caregivers, particularly hospitals, is a concern for middle and late adapters of the model, causing many to pay a premium for protection. The cost to do so can be significant and out of proportion to the risk assumed.
One Man’s Gain Is Another Man’s Loss
March 9th, 2020
Cigna and Houston Methodist (New Best Buds) announces a long-term agreement…………..But UHC says Houston Methodist is driving up the cost of health care for the people of Houston………..
Zero deductibles and $5 copays?
March 8th, 2020
Employers are slashing deductibles and copays so more workers will go to primary care doctors — and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room………………..
Doctors Push Back As Congress Takes Aim At Surprise Medical Bills
March 8th, 2020
This is a fight between doctors and insurers over rate-setting and reimbursement………….
TRS ActiveCare Addresses District of Innovation Concerns
March 6th, 2020
TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF TEXAS MEETING BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGENDA February 20, 2020 – 8:00 a.m. February 21, 2020
Receive an update on TRS-ActiveCare district participation, including the potential consequences to TRS-ActiveCare of participating Districts of Innovation (DOI) offering competing health care coverage to their employees and protecting the stability of TRS-ActiveCare – Katrina Daniel
TRS ActiveCare Dumps Aetna, Embraces BCBS
March 6th, 2020
Beginning Sept. 1, 2020, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) will serve nearly 1,100 TRS-ActiveCare school districts, plus half a million employees and their families across Texas. Hopes are to increase value by building a primary care health delivery based plan.
7 Reference Based Pricing Guarantees
March 6th, 2020
By Molly Mulebriar
Believe it or not, most consumers and plan sponsors don’t know anything about Reference Based Pricing strategies and those that think they do have all kinds of misconceptions.
Walmart Sees Big Opportunity in Cash Based Medical Services
March 5th, 2020
(Walmart) could very easily become a dominant player in cash based medical services very quickly…….
Insurance = Unequal Distribution of Assets
March 4th, 2020
Insurance schemes benefit fewer than many. An earned benefit is not without a loss so the net benefit is less than the earned benefit. All parties to the scheme suffer losses, whether its an indemnified loss or cost-of-risk loss.
Paralyzing Pandemic Strikes Texas School Districts
March 3rd, 2020
An unreported pandemic strikes Texas school districts. Austin based doctors recommend the ostrich approach to health care management………………..
Case Study: Printing Money
March 3rd, 2020
In the fall of 2018, a 300 employee industrial graphics and printing business was referred to our team to help take back control of their health plan. Over the course of the next 12 months, the client realized a reduction in health care spending of over 40%, or about $4,000 per employee per year, without watering down their benefits design. Here’s how…
City of McAllen, Texas RFP Group Health & Rx Plan
March 3rd, 2020
AMA: Insurers Misused CPT Codes To Hide Administrative Costs
February 27th, 2020
Aetna Inc., Aetna Life Insurance Co. and Optumhealth Care Solutions Inc. allegedly misused CPT codes to pass on administrative charges under the guise of medical care………….
Sleepy TRS ActiveCare Trustees & Clueless Texas Legislators
February 27th, 2020
“Legislative inaction has now led to an insurance program for school district employees that is more burdensome than beneficial, and for many educators, it amounts to a pay cut year after year.”
Coronavirus Highlights Chinese Drug Dependency
February 25th, 2020
Coronavirus has jeopardized the “domestic supply of some 150 prescription drugs, including antibiotics, generics, and branded drugs…………..”
The Great American Healthcare Scam
February 24th, 2020
The Great American Healthcare Scam: How Kickbacks, Collusion and Propaganda Have Exploded Healthcare Costs in the United States.
BCBSMN ASO Agreement
February 23rd, 2020
A self-funded plan using BCBSMN as the Plan Administrator pays out-of-network providers 200% of Medicare. What do they pay in-network providers (Hint: it’s more).Ruben Edelstein
February 20th, 2020
By Bill Rusteberg
Ruben Edelstein practiced managed care in his own way. The son of immigrants, he ran a successful furniture business in South Texas. An astute businessman, he grew the business with locations throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas.
Survey Reveals “Me Too” Brokers In The Majority
February 20th, 2020
“It’s evident that many brokers believe the (PPO) networks are not the long-term answer, but brokers and consultants continue to push business to the traditional model or utilize TPAs with carrier or independent networks because it’s the status quo, what we have always done.”
Turning Bronze Into Gold
February 18th, 2020
Turning Bronze Plans into Gold Plans at Bronze Plan costs is a common but unspoken strategy……………but who is benefiting from “beating the system?”
China Can Shut Down U.S. Pharmacies & Hospitals in Months
February 15th, 2020
“China’s stated aim is to become the pharmacy to the world with its own companies. And what we’re seeing with Western generic drug companies, they’re collapsing because they can’t compete.”
What’s An Actuary?
February 14th, 2020
The Payer You Never Heard Of
February 13th, 2020
You won’t see recognizable logos or insurance company names on their health insurance I.D. cards. You may wonder “what kind of insurance is this?”
Quizzify’s Surprise Medical Bills Solution
February 10th, 2020
“If a hospital (y) later turns down “two times Medicare (2x) and it goes to court, their lawyer is going to say, ‘We could lose this thing……………………..”
200% of Medicare represents a “savings” over a typical 60% PPO discount?
TRS ActiveCare Can Be Fixed, But We’re Tired of Waiting
February 8th, 2020
Rather than kicking the can down the road to the next legislative session, sleepy TRS ActiveCare trustees should take note and consider adoption of newer, proven risk management strategies as other risk pools have done……………………….
Everyone Is Paying For Mary’s Deductible Because Mary Isn’t
February 7th, 2020
Lucky Mary. She has a $1,500 deductible through her employers health plan but everyone else is paying for it because she’s not…………….
Owe Medical Bills? Don’t Pay Promptly, Pay Late & Join The 50% Club
February 7th, 2020
Members of the 50% Club subscribe to the Upside Down Economics of Health Care. They understand those who pay on time are screwing themselves and those that don’t are rewarded…………….
TASB Issues Health Insurance Survey Results For Texas School Districts
February 6th, 2020
Hard working Matamoros street vendors may make more than Texas school teachers………………..
Pricing Customers Out of Health Care
February 5th, 2020
You Want How Much!
As Out-Of-Pocket Health Costs Rise, Insured Adults Are Seeking Less Primary Care
Happy New Year! Your Drug Prices Just Went Up!
January 31st, 2020
“Drug prices are out of control, and Big Pharma continues to raise the prices for all Americans……….Not only does that mean higher prices at the pharmacy counter, it also means higher premiums and other healthcare costs for everyone.”
Dual Coverage Dilemma
January 30th, 2020
Austin Independent School District Seeks Insurance Consultant
January 29th, 2020
The RFP is essentially requesting the services of an assortment of experts…………….
Okahoma To Eliminate PBM Middlemen
January 26th, 2020
“It’s time we cut out the middleman and get our citizens the savings they desperately need.”
Half Pregnant Tulip Lovers vs Cliff Dwellers
January 25th, 2020
Progressive plan sponsors are either half pregnant flower lovers with a passion for tulips or cliff dwellers not afraid of sharks.
Washington D.C. Symposium Highlights Private Initiatives in Health Care
January 24th, 2020
The purpose of this event is to inform employers, brokers, legislators and regulators about emerging initiatives to expand access, improve quality and reduce the cost of health care. – Dan Meylan
Pandemic?
January 24th, 2020
The fatality rate may prove to be comparable to the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918 so it is a significant concern globally……………
Once Deported Illegal Back – Demands $5,000,000 Plus Needed Medical Care
January 22nd, 2020
Texas Detainee demands immediate release, $5,000,000 and medical care…………
Health Policy Predictions for 2020
January 22nd, 2020
The private market will offer new funding strategies for employer-sponsored health plans……
Texas ER Doc’s Gravy Train in Jeopardy
January 22nd, 2020
Self-Funded Employers Driving Health Care Cost Containment
January 20th, 2020
Under prevalent status quo heath plans, cost containment means higher deductibles, higher out-of-pocket expenses, less choice. All are impediments to health care.
On the other hand, under Reference Based Pricing plans, cost containment means lower deductibles, lower out-of-pocket expenses, more choice. There are less impediments to health care.
The WellRithms Shield
January 19th, 2020
The Shield is an ERISA-compliant product that deals with high-dollar medical claims and COMPLETELY PROTECTS the member from balance billing abuses with guaranteed savings.
CIGNA Sued For RICO Violations
January 19th, 2020
In summary, the lawsuit alleges that CIGNA accepts the out-of-network provider’s claims at the full billed charges and requests the same amount from the self-insured health plan.
Everything Starts With A Spark
January 19th, 2020
Psst……Have You Heard About Distilled Concepts?
These guys are marketing geniuses – well done website effectively sends the message that health plans can be made better……………..It starts with a Spark………..
Schuessler Takes Aim At Rural Health Care
January 18th, 2020The creator of The Schuessler Stick™, Carl Schuessler explains his success in building a rural community health care plan while freezing his ass off in a Georgia deer blind. Listen to Carl starting at 8:00 – 20:30.
Texas School Districts Want More Choice in Health Care
January 17th, 2020
Texas school districts enrolled in TRS ActiveCare have not had competitive options available to them until now. No matter how large a risk pool is, economies of scale doesn’t matter when risk management systemically fails to adopt proven strategies in a dynamic and changing market.
Reverse Engineering A Health Plan
January 15th, 2020
“We have budgeted $2 million for our employee health insurance plan. Build me a plan for my 350 employees that doesn’t cost a penny more than that!” was the directive from the CEO, a Type A personality who doesn’t take “no” for an answer and expects results even if impossible. So we did……………..
CIGNA Says “Sorry, It Ain’t Yours!
January 14th, 2020
“It is a common misconception that clients are entitled to receive any data, at any time, simply by virtue of being self-insured and having elected to receive Protected Health Information (PHI). This is not the case…….”
High Deductibles Are Silly – Rural Hospitals & Patients Suffer The Most
January 13th, 2020
High deductibles are road blocks to needed health care and do nothing to impact health care costs. Smart employers are discovering they can improve benefits and lower costs at the same time. The following article referred by Dan Meylan describes the problem we all face to these man made barriers to health care……………..
Houston Doctor Joins DPC Revolution
January 12th, 2020
Dr. Rebecca is passionate about providing holistic primary care to families. She understands that healthcare is expensive, which is why she is starting her practice with an innovative new model called “Direct Primary Care.”
$40,000,000,000 Fraud – Reporting Non-Existent Diagnosis
January 10th, 2020
Inspectors found that Medicare Advantage insurers had added diagnoses for diabetes, heart disease and other conditions in 99.3% of chart reviews of patient information…………….
Best Practices In RBP Negotiation
January 9th, 2020
Click on the link below and learn how Bartlett successfully moved the State of Montana state health plan over to Reference Based Pricing……………..It’s all about Rational Analytics and ARM TWISTING…..
Cigna Group Insurance Acquired By New York Life
January 9th, 2020
From: Bill Smith, President, Cigna Group Insurance [mailto:businesscommunications@cigna.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 12:03 PM
To:
Subject: Important news from Bill Smith, President, Cigna Group Insurance