By cutting certain players, often insurers, out of the drug supply chain, disruptors are challenging the drug-pricing paradigm, as well as the value of prescription coverage…………
Express Scripts Lawsuit Should Raise Everyone’s Eyebrows
August 18th, 2017
Texas Balance Billing Law To Take Effect September 1
August 17th, 2017
The bill expands a patient’s ability to mediate their claims with the insurance companies and sets new guidelines for mediation………………….
Bernhard Opines on Fake News – PPO Discount Game
August 17th, 2017
Jeff Bernhard – President of Continental Benefits
Does everyone realize that a discount guarantee is really useless/ineffective for a self-funded offer/RFP? When does a discount ever lead to lower spend? How silly!
Medicaid Overpaid Texas $18.9 Million For School Based Health Services
August 17th, 2017
Texas received $18.9 million from Medicaid for school-based health services that were billed improperly, and the federal government is seeking to get the money back.
Blue Cross Michigan Hit With Flurry of ERISA Lawsuits
August 17th, 2017
A Shell Game Common To Health Care Financial Transactions
As a plan sponsor are you paying undisclosed fees that don’t show up on the fixed cost side of the ledger but rather on the claim cost side? There are numerous lawsuits that have exposed this industry practice and is not limited to BCBS………………….
Texas Permanently Bans Taxpayer Funding of Abortion
August 16th, 2017
Bill prohibits insurance providers from forcing Texas policy holders to subsidize elective abortions
Freedom Plan
August 15th, 2017A Man Before His Times – Martin Luther announcing “Free at Last” Reference Based Pricing Plan
Nixon Went to China. Can Trump Go to Single Payer?
August 8th, 2017
Only Trump can make single-payer health care happen in this country…………..
Why A Pennsylvania Insurer’s Collapse Could Whack Californians In the Wallet
August 7th, 2017
Penn Treaty’s liquidation poses a “potential shock to the health marketplace” as the losses pile up, according to the A.M. Best credit rating firm. Industry analysts estimate the parent company has long-term claims liabilities approaching $4 billion, but only about $700 million in assets.
Your Network Discount Analyses Are Useless
August 5th, 2017
Smoke & Mirrors – Comparing PPO “Discounts”
August 5th, 2017
Many independent fee based insurance consultants are sucked into the PPO “discount” vortex……………..
“The carriers are very good at playing this game and my belief is that most consultants don’t get it or pretend not to get it, thus doing a great dis-service to their client.” – PHO Sales Representative
Cigna, Other Health Insurers’ Profits Surge, Ignoring ACA Chaos
August 4th, 2017
Institute For Supply Management Announces September Seminar
August 2nd, 2017
This program is applicable to all areas of the public education sector, including school districts, junior colleges, and colleges.
What Employers Need To Know To Manage Health Costs
August 1st, 2017
Employers can immediately reduce the cost of health insurance by 20% by simply shifting their focus to proven strategies…..
Why Most Health Plans Strive To Make Healthcare Cost More
August 1st, 2017
“The truth is that group health plans typically earn a percentage of total expenditures, and it is in their interest for healthcare to cost as much as possible.”
Crowne Consulting Group
July 31st, 2017
As the future of healthcare lingers in a national debate, Crowne Consulting Group, Inc.delivers achievable ways for employers to decrease medical expenses while enhancing care for employees.
Amazon Launches Secret Healthcare Team?
July 29th, 2017
How to Determine if Your Company [or Client] is Overpaying for Rx
July 28th, 2017
The costs shared here are what the pharmacy actually pays; not AWP, MAC or WAC…………
McCain Kills Repeal
July 28th, 2017
The Republican party is split. The Democrats are unified. This is a perfect case where “You don’t interfere when your opponent is committing suicide.”
Surgeons Excited About Slug Slime
July 28th, 2017
The European slug is average in every way: slimy, brownish, shorter than a credit card. But Arion subfuscus has a minor superpower………………
Adam Ruins Everything
July 28th, 2017Leap Of Faith: Will Health Care Ministries Cover Your Costs?
July 28th, 2017
Health care ministries are essentially cost-sharing programs. Members’ monthly fees are applied directly to other members’ medical bills, no matter where they live in the U.S.
News Reporters Obtain Sensitive, Closely Held Health Care Industry Secrets
July 27th, 2017
UHC Sales Rep. Reacting To News
FOX 8 has obtained a document – among the most sensitive in the healthcare industry……….A local provider sent us a spreadsheet that shows his businesses’ negotiated rates with three insurance companies, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare and Humana………………
Medical Travel Today Spotlights Asserta Health
July 26th, 2017
Facilitating cash pay arrangements for self-funded employers and health plans, achieving significant savings in partnership with medical care givers………………..
TRS Marketing Opportunity Addresses Melting Raspa
July 26th, 2017
TRS Health Programs Imploding Faster Than A Melting Raspa
The Texas Teachers Retirement System health plan changes have been announced for January 1, 2018 and they are not impressive…………………TRS Participants are beginning to picket on the State Capital steps in Austin.
Surprise! Out-of-Network Billing for Emergency Care in the United States
July 24th, 2017
Out-of-network billing allows physicians to significantly increase their payment rates relative to what they would be paid for treating in-network patients…………...
AmericanRisk
July 24th, 2017
Medical stop loss doesn’t have to be a boiler plate, off the shelf, cookie cutter product. It needs to be innovative and compelling.
Flabbergasted
July 24th, 2017
More Doctors Smoke Camels Than Any Other Cigarette
July 24th, 2017
Don’t be foolish, take your doctor’s advice: Smoke a fresh cigarette………………..
Swamp Watch: Health Insurance Companies
July 24th, 2017
HHC Group’s Bulldogs Will Bark When Providers Balk
July 24th, 2017
More and more employers with self-funded health plans are turning to reference-based pricing to reduce their overall spend. They like the deep savings, and they appreciate the price predictability regardless of which provider the plan member uses.
Starmark Embarks On Reference Based Pricing Strategies For Small Groups
July 23rd, 2017
Designed specifically to address rising healthcare costs for employers with 5 to 99 employees, Healthy Choices plan designs generally calculate reimbursement amounts for healthcare services using reference-based pricing. This approach results in a reasonable fee, which is a multiple of Medicare’s reimbursement rate…………….
Mike Dendy Opines – How To Make Commercial Health Insurance Reasonable
July 23rd, 2017
Mike Dendy
The health insurance industry is a cartel and cartels have to be broken because by definition they can’t be fixed………………………
Introducing….The Point by Apex Benefits
July 22nd, 2017
Apex Benefits, an Indianapolis-based benefits consulting firm, develops innovative strategies and programs to provide employers unique, cost-savings health benefits programs…………
Richard Sutton
July 21st, 2017
I’m very fortunate to be able to collaborate with a group of true reformers from around the country. We’re committed to transforming our current system of inefficiencies into an efficient system where primary care is empowered, quality and outcomes are measured, and the price tag for services is greatly reduced – Richard Sutton
America’s Healthcare Secret Pricing Scandal Exposed
July 20th, 2017
Insurance companies create vast networks, referred to as PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations). The only thing that is preferred is the deal the insurance company cuts itself. About a full one third of the total medical spend by an employer can be eliminated by removing in-network pricing variation for commodity care alone.
Employers need to realize that when they pay for PPO access, they are paying to access a network designed to maximize the insurance company’s revenue – not to save the employer money on medical care.
Trump Signs Executive Order – Medicare For All
July 18th, 2017
TPA Loses Lawsuit Against Private Citizen
July 17th, 2017
Murry B. Cohen, Appellate Lawyer
Gloria Hicks, v. Group & Pension Administrators, Inc., 13–14–00607–CV, (Tex. App. 2015). Reversing District Court and holding that a citizen’s email to school board trustees urging the board not to contract with plaintiff concerned a matter of public importance, was not commercial speech, and defendant was protected from suit by the Texas Anti-SLAPP statute.
Witch Doctors & Palm Readers
July 16th, 2017
Managed Care Executive
We just can’t think anything other than they are as stupid as stupid gets…….……
Political Subdivisions – Chasing Windmills Can Be Expensive
July 16th, 2017
The problem facing political subdivisions in seeking competitive bids are many. Politics almost always plays a pivotal role in the process and oftentimes encompasses a mixture of ignorance, money, clan loyalties, and employment.
Replacing Wrap Networks For Something Better
July 15th, 2017
Unwrap Me Please!
With Phia Unwrapped, The Phia Group replaces wrap network access and modifies non-network payment methodologies, securing payable amounts that are unbeatably low, based upon fair market parameters.
Lily Livered Republicans Cower in Trenches While Democrats Rule Congress
July 13th, 2017
Republicans are going to fund Obamacare subsidies that the Democrats forgot to fund?
It will be voter payback time in 2018 – Lily Livered, Yellow Bellied Cowering Republican elites will be targeted for punishment……….Too many lies for too many years will impact the 2018 mid term elections.
The Democrats are smart. They have learned “Never interfere when your opponent is committing suicide”
The Ultimate Secret In Controlling Health Care Costs
July 12th, 2017
Joe’s choice of beer is a good example of his philosophy. He knows that in order for beer vendors to stay in business they must agree to sell based upon the price Joe and others are prepared to pay……………
Mike Dendy – Innovator & Market Leader
July 12th, 2017
Mike Dendy, MBA/MHA, vice chairman & CEO, Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions (AMPS) is certainly a market leader and really “gets it”…………..…..Laura Carabello
In 2013 I wrote “Xerox, Eastman Kodak And Cost Plus Insurance” which predicted the inevitable rise of the Mike Dendy’s of the world.(See article at end of this blog entry).
In the article I wrote: “The challenge facing successful business ventures is to understand the necessity to continuously respond to market forces in a proactive manner since competition will certainly become a factor to consider at some point. To ignore this basic business premise by remaining complacent is business suicide……………..pioneering, successful business endeavors that fail to react quickly and appropriately to market threats end up losing market dominance……………….”
And then, as predicted, (a) Mike Dendy gobsmacked the market with a set of fresh eyes. His company, AMPS, has since become the national leader in Reference Based Pricing strategies, experiencing phenomenal market growth.
“Companies must work constantly to eliminate any cost factor that does not add value to a business process” – Mike Dendy
Texas Supreme Court Disputes Reach of Obergefell in Employee Benefits Case
July 10th, 2017
Texas Supreme Court has ruled state governments do not necessarily have to extend marital benefits to same-sex married couples………………
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, Plaintiffs, v. THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG HOSPITAL AUTHORITY d/b/a CAROLINAS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, Defendant.
July 10th, 2017
This case involves the relationship between hospital system and insurance company, and how that relationship affects everyday patients and consumers……..
RiskManagers.us Business Statement
July 8th, 2017
The shared vision of RiskManagers.us and clients who retain our services is to establish and maintain a comprehensive employee health and welfare plan, identify cost areas that may be improved without cost shifting to any significant degree, and ensure a superior and sustained partnership with a claim administrator responsive to members needs on a level consistent with prudent business practices.
Plan costs, in all areas including fixed expenses and claims are open for review on a continuing basis. Cost effective plan administration and equitable benefit payment to providers are paramount to fulfilling our mutual fiduciary duties. As we proactively monitor and manage an entire benefit program we are open to any suggestions members may make or the dynamic health benefit market may warrant in order to accomplish these goals.
Duty of loyalty to our clients, transparency and accountability are essential to the foundation of our services. To that end, we expect our clients to realize a substantial savings based upon the services that we will deliver.
2017 RiskManagers.us All Rights Reserved
Email: RiskManager@RiskManagers.us
Selecting a Third Party Administrator
July 8th, 2017
By William Rusteberg
Selection of a third party administrator (TPA) is crucial to the success of a self-funded plan. Criteria usually revolve around several factors including compatibility. Corporate philosophies of the employer and TPA should harmonize.
Equifax Reaches Agreement To Acquire ID Watchdog
July 7th, 2017
Retired Teachers Face Huge Health Care Cost Increases
July 6th, 2017
The average premium for a high-deductible health plan for a retired teacher under 65 with no beneficiaries could rise from $1,300 to $9,550 in 2018, under the legislature’s fix…..
11-Questions to ask your Group Insurance Company or Third Party Administrator
July 6th, 2017
Having the right claim payer for your company’s healthcare program(s) will make a positive impact to your bottom line and employee productivity……………..
The Hospital Industry Is A Big Game Of Monopoly Right Now
July 4th, 2017
The hospital industry is participating in a massive flea market, with large chains buying and selling hospitals like Pokémon cards or Monopoly properties.
Making A Hospital More Efficient?
July 4th, 2017
Prime Healthcare Foundation has a record of purchasing distressed hospitals and making them profitable…………………….
MD Anderson Continues To Downsize – Victim of Narrow Networks?
July 3rd, 2017
Last August, the center reported a 77 percent drop in its adjusted income over a 10-month span, then recorded an operating loss of more than $111 million for September through November 2016. In response, MD Anderson shared plans to eliminate roughly 1,000 jobs from its 20,000 and it also called of its collaboration with IBM Watson, which was projected to cost more than $62 million.
Guess What? There Are No Cuts in Medicaid
July 3rd, 2017
Nobody is proposing to cut Medicaid. Republicans are merely proposing to limit annual spending increases…………….
MDLIVE
July 3rd, 2017
Founded in 2009, MDLIVE is a leading telehealth provider of online and on-demand healthcare delivery services and software that benefit patients, hospitals, employers, payers, physician practice groups and accountable care organizations.
A Way Out Of Health Care Impasse: Leave It Up To States
July 3rd, 2017
Use the Tenth Amendment to deal with this problem, like the Founders intended……
Attention: Hospitals & Their Attorneys Are Prohibited From Reading This Blog
June 27th, 2017
In deference to one of our three readers, effective immediately we are prohibiting hospital people and their attorneys from reading this blog.
Warren Buffett: Singer Payer is “The Best System For America”
June 27th, 2017
Broker Compensation by Health Insurance Market
June 27th, 2017
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of data from Health Coverage Portal TM, a market database maintained by Mark Farrah Associates, which includes information from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and California’s Department of Managed Health Care. Mini-med companies with a medical focus were included.
UnitedHealthcare Explains Producer Compensation
June 27th, 2017
Compensation paid to producers under these agreements is usually based on growth and persistency of a producer’s overall book of business. The costs of these programs are not directly included in the premiums or fees for the producer’s customers, but are included in our general distribution costs.
Harvard Risk Management Corporation Thrives In Niche Market
June 26th, 2017
Last year our agents earned over 114 million dollars in commissions and we plan to double that in 2017! Read the rest of this entry »
San Antonio Company Provides Stop Loss Insurance
June 26th, 2017
SA Benefit Services, LLC principals have more than 30 years of combined stop loss experience. We provide stop loss services to third party administrators, consultants, brokers and direct with self-funded groups who have no broker of record. We use only A Rated stop loss carriers.
Texas Hospitals Fear Losing $6.2B Medicaid Deal
June 26th, 2017
Medicaid in Texas is a $29,000,000,000 ($29 BILLION) business………………...
54 Healthcare Blogs To Read
June 25th, 2017
Staying on top of new developments occurring at breakneck speed poses a challenge for healthcare professionals……………
What Is A QSEHRA ?
June 24th, 2017
Hint: A QSEHRA is something conjured up at the Puzzle Palace in Washington DC…..
AMPS Ranked Among Top Fastest Growing Middle Market Company in Georgia
June 24th, 2017
The Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth has identified AMPS among the top 40 fastest growing middle market companies in Georgia………….
Cimarron Healthcare Capital Announces Recapitalization of AMPS
June 24th, 2017
“Last year AMPS grew by over 70% and we are on a financial track to do the same this year, and we see this strategic investment extending the significant growth we have enjoyed over the past five years.” – Mike Dendy
Georgia Hospital Sues Blue Cross
June 24th, 2017
The hospital claims BCBS of Georgia is refusing to pay contractually agreed-upon rates.
Single Payer Healthcare Dies On Left Coast – Liberals Outraged
June 24th, 2017
“Acting in secret in the interests of the profiteering insurance companies late Friday afternoon abandons all those people already threatened by Congress and the Trump administration” – Deborah Burger
Insurance Agent E&O Coverage in Minutes
June 23rd, 2017
Get Insured 24/7 has the lowest rates for Errors and Omissions Insurance, providing affordable, easy access to protection for the unexpected. Use our secure portal to enroll and bind in minutes, wherever you are, whenever you want. Pajamas welcome.
Rand Paul: Insurance Should Be Available For $1 a Day
June 23rd, 2017
“What I’d like to do is legalize inexpensive insurance, and you should be able to get insurance for $1 a day” – Rand Paul
Questcor Finds Profits, at $28,000 a Vial
June 23rd, 2017
The doctor was dumbfounded: a drug that used to cost $50 was now selling for $28,000 for a 5-milliliter vial…………….