Healthcare Industry/Managed Care
P4P In Medicaid Managed Care: Money Talks, But Only If There’s Enough Of It
Legislation that would encourage businesses to implement workplace wellness programs that produce results has been introduced by Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin. Sen. Harkin is co-sponsoring the Healthy Workforce Act with Republican Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon. The proposal would provide tax incentives to businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized employers, that provide opportunities for their employees to lead healthier lives and prevent chronic illnesses.
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Outpatient Growth is Key in Improving Quality and Efficiency
Growing outpatient services is a crucial component to the speed and consistency in which hospitals improve, according to the Thomson 100 Top Hospitals: Performance Improvement Leaders study by Thomson Healthcare. The study looked at the performance of 2,897 U.S. hospitals in clinical, financial, and operational areas and named the top 100 hospitals that showed the most improvement from 2001 to 2005.
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Behavioral Health
Telephone Coaching Benefits Problem Drinkers
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin suggest that telephonic counseling could be an effective treatment for hard-to-reach patients struggling with alcoholism. Previous research shows that a few short discussions with a health professional can help a problem drinker. However, often patients are reluctant or unable to physically meet with a counselor, making telephone counseling an easier means, requiring fewer resources than face-to-face meetings as well.
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Long-Term Care
Reducing Medicare Claims with Health Coaching
Danielle Butin, director of Northeast Health Services for SecureHorizons, a division of UnitedHealthcare, describes how health coaching is changing behaviors among Medicare members:
A number of years ago, we recognized the need for access to health coaches that goes way beyond the primary care physician or the specialty physician visit. When we ran focus groups, we found that Medicare members had unanswered questions. They said that their doctors didn’t respond in helpful ways to questions regarding exercise, alternative medicine or nutrition areas that could improve their ability to care for themselves. We also went to physicians and asked what areas are most frustrating and difficult to manage in providing effective care to the Medicare population. Physicians reiterated the same response as the patients being served in that practice. They recognized that they didn’t learn enough about exercise, alternative medicine or nutrition in medical school and needed ancillary help and support. They had no idea where to turn.
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Health Law and Regulation
New Jersey Explores Home Healthcare for Veterans
Qualified veterans in New Jersey may one day be eligible for home healthcare aides. The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will evaluate the resources, costs and benefits of providing home healthcare aides for qualified veterans, following legislation signed by N.J. Governor Jon S. Corzine. Following the evaluation, the department’s Adjutant General will submit a report to the Legislature detailing specific recommendations.
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