April 2009

Features

Cover Story

Comparative Effectiveness: An Idea Whose Time Has Finally Come
It is exactly what managed care has been promoting for years, but some people worry that the information it creates could be misused
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Molecular Diagnostic Testing Presents $5 Billion Conundrum
Insurers know that the new tests can be valuable, but have trouble evaluating them and may not even know exactly which ones they are paying for
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Q&A

Reaping the Benefits of a Connected System
Kaiser Permanente’s experience proves that plans play a valuable role
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Health Plans and Providers Struggle to Fix Payment System
Medicare is expected to lead payment reform, but major players in the private sector are banding together to move it along
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Peer-Reviewed

Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening In a Managed Care Population
Sharp Health Plan wanted to increase mammography screening for its at-risk female population. Thirty percent of at-risk members were non-adherent. Members’ reasons for avoiding screening were examined.
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Departments

Let Comparative Effectiveness Help Docs to Select Right Tools
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Congress Works To Permit 'Biosimilar' Drugs Very Soon
Legislators look for a way to help payers and patients cope with the high cost of biologics without destroying the businesses that made these products possible
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FDA, Industry Collaborate To Strengthen Painkiller Restrictions
The agency believes current attempts to control prescribing and distribution of opioids and other strong painkillers is inadequate
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Physician retention programs gain acceptance
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Treating Depression with a Pulsating Magnetic Field
An electronic device is applied to the forehead in a 40-minute treatment, causing depolarization of neurons
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Probable NCQA Standard Addresses Minorities’ Needs
Insurers will be judged on how well they find and serve groups whose health outcomes have historically lagged
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Downturn expected for imaging technologies
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News

Headlines on Deadline    DIGITAL | HTML

High-deductible health plans favored by individual purchasers    DIGITAL | HTML

Value-Based Insurance Design Might Help Medicare Cut Costs    DIGITAL | HTML