CVS + Aetna. Are we sure this adds up?
CVS and Aetna. Love at second sight?
Many of the stories I’m reading about CVS’s acquisition of Aetna suggests the deal is a bold move to expand CVS’s retail clinic business. See for example, CVS-Aetna deal has major implications for retail health, primary care practices in FierceHealthcare.
If the merger goes through, CVS plans to expand health services at its retail pharmacies, according to CVS and Aetna officials. Although it will take several years to accomplish, CVS will increase its number of clinics and add staff and equipment for a wider variety of treatments.
This seems like silly reasoning. If...
Source: Health Business Blog - December 5, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Economics Health plans Aetna cvs merger Source Type: blogs
#CareTalk: Is value based care here to stay?
In the November edition of #CareTalk, CareCentrix CEO John Driscoll and I cover everything from my recent accident to Amazon, with a dose of Doug Jones and Judge Roy Moore thrown in for good measure.
Overview:
(0:18) David talks about a recent accident that he was involved in and what he learned about the U.S. healthcare experience from a patient’s perspective.
(1:32) What does Maine’s Medicaid expansion say about healthcare in the U.S.?
(3:40) What are the implications of the 2017 elections on U.S. healthcare?
(5:40) Where do you see value-based care heading within the next year?
(7:18) Will the next HHS secr...
Source: Health Business Blog - December 4, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Podcast Policy and politics Caretalk Source Type: blogs
Ambulance bill rip-off: There ’ s always a public option
A Kaiser Health News story on sky-high ambulance bills caught my attention; I have a long-standing interest in out-of-network billing and a more recent experience of taking a pricey ambulance trip myself.
Taken for a ride? Ambulances stick patients with surprise bills, is not a new story. To sum it up: it’s not unusual for a patient to get a bill for thousands of dollars and then to be stuck with a big part of the charge, even if that patient is insured. That’s because many ambulance companies can make more money by being out-of-network. Unlike physicians and hospitals, ambulance companies don’t lose pati...
Source: Health Business Blog - December 1, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Economics Health plans Patients Policy and politics Source Type: blogs
Health Wonk Review is up at Xpostfactoid
It’s time for the Late Days of Empire edition of the Health Wonk Review, ably hosted over at Xpostfactoid.
Enjoy the wonkery while you still can! (Source: Health Business Blog)
Source: Health Business Blog - November 30, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Announcements Blogs Policy and politics Source Type: blogs
Blockchain for healthcare: Interview with Fluree co-CEO Brian Platz
https://healthbb.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/hbdew0063-david-e-williams-interviews-fluree-ceo-brian-platz.mp3
Brian Platz, co-CEO of Fluree
SilkRoad Technology co-founder Brian Platz has turned his attention to blockchain, with Fluree, a new Public Benefit Corporation that has introduced a scalable blockchain database for decentralized applications. Fluree is not healthcare specific, but there is a lot of potential for blockchain.
In this podcast interview we covered the following:
(0:10) What is a scalable blockchain database and why is it important?
(1:58) What are some of the most pressing database needs in healthcare?...
Source: Health Business Blog - November 14, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Entrepreneurs Podcast Technology blockchain Source Type: blogs
Health Wonk Review is up at Healthcare Economist
Healthcare Economist has curated a very informative and readable Health Wonk Review, complete with a couple of video bonuses. Check it out! (Source: Health Business Blog)
Source: Health Business Blog - November 9, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Announcements Blogs Policy and politics Source Type: blogs
How formidable would Amazon be in pharmacy?
Oops
I’m a big fan and customer of Amazon, having placed thousands of orders since 1998. I understand why retailers (and other businesses) quake in their boots at the thought of Amazon disrupting them. As a healthcare insider, I also understand why healthcare companies are especially nervous. Deep down, we understand that US healthcare is tremendously wasteful and inefficient and that Amazon could make the industry look bad and eat its lunch.
Still, I’m not convinced that Amazon is going to take over the pharmacy business, the latest topic of discussion. The Wall Street Journal (Amazon’s push into pharma...
Source: Health Business Blog - October 31, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Pharma Technology amazon Source Type: blogs
Health Wonk Review: Disaster edition
Welcome to the disaster edition of the Health Wonk Review!
Fire, fire everywhere
At Workers’ Comp Insider, Julie Ferguson focuses on response and recovery in the California fires. The cleanup of the toxic devastation poses enormous environmental health risks to fire fighters and residents alike.  She also offers a tribute to the workers who battled the fires, including a little-recognized segment –prisoners who volunteer for fire fighting duty.
Can it get any worse?
Roy Poses at Health Care Renewal shares the Worst Revolving Door Health Care Case So Far.
After having followed and documented many instance of co...
Source: Health Business Blog - October 26, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Blogs Policy and politics Source Type: blogs
#CareTalk: Is bigger better in healthcare?
In this month’s #CareTalk videocast, CareCentrix CEO John Driscoll and I square off on the theme of bigness in healthcare.
Here’s what you’ll see:
(0:26) Is bigger better in healthcare?
(1:49) What can smaller companies do to succeed in healthcare?
(3:24) How can healthcare companies find a balance between scale and intimacy?
(7:05) Will Amazon do something different in healthcare, as opposed to what Google and Apple have done?
(8:04) Will the Trump administration kill value-based care?
(9:15) Which is more overhyped: wearables or personalized medicine/genomics?
By healthcare business consultantÂ...
Source: Health Business Blog - October 25, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Entrepreneurs Podcast Policy and politics Source Type: blogs
On the sidelines
Hi folks. I haven’t posted in a while. Here’s why: I was crossing the street (in the crosswalk) and was struck by a car. I’m recovering and will get back to 100% but am taking it easy for a while. (Source: Health Business Blog)
Source: Health Business Blog - October 18, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Announcements Source Type: blogs
Health Wonk Review is up at InsureBlog
Check out the latest edition of the Health Wonk Review at InsureBlog, where Hank Stern is our able host. (Source: Health Business Blog)
Source: Health Business Blog - October 14, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Announcements Blogs Policy and politics Source Type: blogs
Health Wonk Review is up at Wright on Health
Wright on Health has posted the Repeal Fatigue Edition of the Health Wonk Review. You’ll find there a roundup of fine posts there, and thankfully they aren’t all about the implosion of repeal and replace. Topics include: vulnerable populations, opioids, workers comp and more.
Check it out. (Source: Health Business Blog)
Source: Health Business Blog - September 28, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Announcements Blogs Policy and politics Uncategorized Source Type: blogs
CareCentrix CEO John Driscoll and I discuss vulnerable populations
In this month’s #CareTalk, John Driscoll and I discuss the protection of vulnerable populations, a particularly timely topic as hurricane season rages on. (Source: Health Business Blog)
Source: Health Business Blog - September 27, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Culture Podcast Policy and politics carecentrix Source Type: blogs
Clinical registry solution market heads toward $2 billion
Specialty medical societies such as the American College of Cardiology and American College of Surgeons sponsor clinical registries that collect observational data on patients with specific conditions or procedures, such as heart failure or joint replacement. This “real world” evidence helps hospitals improve quality of care, meet state and federal reporting requirements, and achieve pay-for-performance bonuses.
Q-Centrix, which provides technology and services that enable hospitals to participate in registries, commissioned Health Business Group to conduct a market sizing and growth study. We found that the ma...
Source: Health Business Blog - September 20, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Announcements Hospitals Research clinical registries Q-Centrix Source Type: blogs
Health Wonk Review is up at Colorado Health Insurance Insider
It’s been an active time for healthcare policy proposals on Capitol Hill. Today’s Health Wonk Review curator, Colorado Health Insurance Insider has posted the never-ending summer of healthcare legislation edition.
It’s chockfull of insightful and inspiring posts by the leading health wonks of our day. Check it out. (Source: Health Business Blog)
Source: Health Business Blog - September 14, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: dewe67 Tags: Announcements Blogs Policy and politics Source Type: blogs
