Memorial Day 2011

Lt. Col. Rusteberg, May 1944, London

West Point 1934

Two Silver Stars, One Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation (Battle of Hatten), Purple Heart. American hero.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Edwin Rusteberg (ASN: 0-19542), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 9 January 1945 at Hatten, France. As Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, during the action at Hatten, France, Colonel Rusteberg planned and executed the defense of that area with outstanding success. In spite of point blank fire from enemy tanks supported by Infantry that raked his positions with fire, Colonel Rusteberg by personal example held his troops in position and withstood the enemy attack. Fighting side by side with his men in the face of overwhelming odds without mechanized or artillery support, Colonel Rusteberg by his courageous leadership, tenacity and devotion to duty played a major role in the successful defense of the town of Hatten.

General Orders: Headquarters, 42d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 131 (1945)

Action Date: 9-Jan-45 Service: Army Rank: Lieutenant Colonel Company: Headquarters Battalion: 1st Battalion Regiment: 242d Infantry Regiment Division: 42d Infantry Division

Blue Cross Accused of Price Fixing – Favored Nation Clause

Blue Cross is accused of price fixing in a lawsuit filed last year. Could it be that Blue Cross agreed to hospital pricing demands, with the understanding that the hospitals would charge other PPO’s more?

Did the negotiating process look something like this “Ok, we will pay you those high whorehouse prices you demand, but you must agree to charge our competitiors more!”

Continue reading Blue Cross Accused of Price Fixing – Favored Nation Clause

$295 MRI Includes Reading

Most insureds have no idea what their insurance plan pays for an MRI. And they really don’t care since “insurance pays the bills.”

But they should care. After all, their premium rates are directly proportional to medical care costs. Insurance companies are simply conduits for health care revenue flows, taking their cut as money cascades  it’s way through the health care system honey pot.

Insurance companies are not the only ones with a vested financial interest in health care costs. Many intermediaries participate in the cash cow we call the American Health Care System. Brokers of all sorts earn high fees. Some medical providers have partnership agreements with these brokers and participate in revenue streams.

Ever heard of an MRI broker? They exist. Their sales pitch is something like this: “Our services are free! Just call our toll free number and we will find the best and lowest cost MRI for your employees, as needed. We will even set the appointment! While the average MRI charge in your area is a whopping $2,500 after the PPO discount, we have been able to get the same MRI in the same area for as low as $900! And you pay us nothing – we participate in the $900 “discounted” price and the MRI center pays us!”

And, some doctors refer patients to MRI centers that pay the doctor a “kickback.” Unfortunately, in some localities, this is very common practice.

The MRI business model, as practiced by most, is extremely lucrative for many participants. Very lucrative.

Now enters RPN of California. Their MRI business model is based upon the novel concept of connecting the payer directly with the provider and eliminating all the middle men. For $295 per MRI, this company makes a nice profit, and the payer saves money. Keep your eye on RPN. You will hear more about them in San Antonio, Texas.

Why San Antonio? A market analysis shows 37 MRI locations and their average costs: http://www.newchoicehealth.com/Directory/CityProcedureType/Texas/San%20Antonio/15/MRI . Statistics show that there are 91.2 MRI’s per 1,000 population. Based on this statistic, there are approximately 192,000 MRI’s performed annual in the San Antonio area, or 524 MRI’s per day.

For more information on RPN, visit www.rpnofcalifornia.com

Editor’s Note: See similar posting – http://blog.riskmanagers.us/?p=5864 Health care professionals like RPN bring competition to the health care marketplace. That is good for consumers.

“Once we rid ourselves of traditional thinking we can get on with creating the future”

– James Bertrand

 

The Whole Tooth Blogtalkradio

Tue, May 17, 2011 3:08:21 PM
My first interview 5.17.11
From:
Darrell <darrelldk@tx.rr.com>

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To: Darrell <darrelldk@tx.rr.com>  

I’m preparing for my first interview. It is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 31, at 7PM Fort Worth time on The Whole Tooth Blogtalkradio.

Continue reading The Whole Tooth Blogtalkradio

“Gag-Clauses” In PPO Contracts Challenged

CALIFORNIA: The 2011 version of a hospital transparency bill was unanimously voted out of the Senate Health Committee last week. The legislation would prohibit hospitals from including provisions, commonly referred to as “gag-clauses,” in contracts with health insurers.

These provisions prevent disclosure of hospital cost and quality information to health plan members. Individual hospital systems, the UC System and the California Hospital Association continue to oppose the bill, while insurers, payers and labor unions support the measure.

Editor’s Note: Texas is doing the same – http://blog.riskmanagers.us/?p=5451

Feds And Amarillo Health Care Providers Settle Price Fixing Charges

An association representing 900 physicians in the Amarillo area has agreed to a Federal Trade Commission order barring it from jointly negotiating the prices it charges insurance providers, according to a news release.

The FTC alleged in a complaint filed with the order that Southwest Health Alliances, Inc. and BSA Provider Network, a division of Baptist St. Anthony’s Health System, has violated federal law since 2000 by fixing the prices its member doctors would charge insurers.  This led to higher prices for consumers and businesses.

Continue reading Feds And Amarillo Health Care Providers Settle Price Fixing Charges

Rio Grande Valley Mobile CT Scanning Company Takes Service to Customers

Valley Business Report May 2011

A Rio Grande Valley company has launched the first mobile CT scanner service south of Dallas. Manuel Figueroa and Orlando Rivera, Registered Radiologic Technologists launched their business after working on the concept for over a year.

Medical insurance payers can save up to 75% off their CT Scan costs.

For more information, contact Mobile CT Imaging at 956-230-0109.

Editor’s Note: Self funded medical plans in the Valley, such as the Brownsville Independent School District, should look into a direct contract with these two Valley businessmen.  CT costs could be drastically reduced while still maintaing quality care.

MultiPlan Denies Guilt – California Lawsuit Has National Implications

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – 04/14/11) – MultiPlan, Inc. was been named as a defendant in a lawsuit brought over a year ago against Sutter hospitals alleging false billing of certain anesthesia services. California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones recently intervened in the lawsuit, and issued a press release announcing that action.

Continue reading MultiPlan Denies Guilt – California Lawsuit Has National Implications

Seven Week Wait to See A Doctor? Is This The Future of Health Care?

 

The United States faces a physician shortage. In Massachusettes, where almost all residents have health insurance, patients must wait as long as seven weeks to see a primary care physician. And, many physicians are either not taking on new patients, or are not accepting Medicaid or low income patients due to low medical reimbursements.

Continue reading Seven Week Wait to See A Doctor? Is This The Future of Health Care?

Firms Unbundle TPA Services – Uncomfortable With Markups Charged By TPA’s

“……..A few years ago, however, he changed TPAs to eliminate hidden charges and gain direct interaction with the managed care company with which his undisclosed TPA contracts.”……………”For example, he now pays a flat amount per bill for fee schedule bill reviews, rather than paying on a percentage-of-savings basis.

“The fees per bill were just outrageous compared to what I am paying today,” Mr. Tilley said……………….”

Continue reading Firms Unbundle TPA Services – Uncomfortable With Markups Charged By TPA’s