April 1998

HMOs Won't Look Twice At AMA's Model Agreement
A review of the AMA's model managed care contract shows an attempt to get the health plan out of the driver's seat — or at least to share the controls.

Anthony L. DeWitt, J.D.

Too Many Books: How To Tell the Best Cooks?
The proliferation of clinical practice guidelines gives health plans plenty of models for developing their own. Which guidelines are better than others can depend on their creators' methods and motives.

Michael D. Dalzell

Employers Interested In Disease Management — If It Brings a Return

Bailing Out of Medicaid Managed Care Programs
Health plan officials complain about a double whammy: low rates and high costs. Are hospital- and community health center-based plans going to be the only ones left?

Peter Wehrwein

On the Record: Congress Debates Managed Care Reform
Congress is weighing more than 50 managed care reform bills. Here are summaries of three leading bills, and their sponsors' arguments for them.

Patrick Mullen

Tomorrow's Technology Is Saving Money Today
The camera never lies, goes the adage. A growing number of physicians and health care providers are using that bit of wisdom to cut costs while making patients' lives better.

BRUCE GOLDFARB

Managed Care Outlook

See it now: The tube attracts members
Editor's Memo

Great Taste or Less Filling? Guidelines Have Their Uses

John A. Marcille

Employer Update

System Tries to Boost Productivity by Looking at Total Health Care Picture
Ethics

Direct-to-Consumer Advertising: Helpful or Harmful — or Maybe Both?

John La Puma, M.D.

Practice Guidelines

CDC Enlists Clinical Advances in Battle Against Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Frank Diamond

Legal Forum

Protect Against Outliers That Destroy Your Profitability Under a Contract

Neil Caesar, J.D.

Managed Care Outlook

Benefits drive consumers when they pick plans
State Initiatives

Terms of California Reform Debate Clearer as Sides Develop Want Lists

Patrick Mullen

State Initiatives

Georgia Weighs HMO Malpractice Liability, Mandates
State Initiatives

Kentucky: Slowing Managed Medicaid Conversion Down?
State Initiatives

Off-label provisions spread
State Initiatives

Terms of California Reform Debate Clearer as Sides Develop Want Lists
State Initiatives

Texas Physician Quits as HHS Commissioner
Washington Initiatives

Medicare Commission Begins Work — Could Overhaul of System Be Next?
Washington Initiatives

Clinton Orders 'Bill of Rights' In U.S. Programs
Washington Initiatives

HCFA Moves Up Report Deadline; AAHP Burns
Washington Initiatives

HHS Contractors To Ratchet Up Antifraud Activity
Washington Initiatives

Medicare Commission Begins Work — Could Overhaul of System Be Next?
Washington Initiatives

Norwood and Gingrich Butt On Reform Pace
Washington Initiatives

Take as Needed...
Washington Initiatives

Two Agencies: Don't Change Antitrust Laws



News & Commentary

Oxford Drops Medicaid in 2 States While Its Legal Troubles Deepen

Michigan Battle About Transplant Coverage Ends

Insurer's Use Of Not-for-Profit Assets Questioned

Falling stocks pull trust down with them

AMA Is Top Lobby; Other Health Care Groups Spend Big

New York Blues To Send Denials To External Review

Managing capitation risk

Headlines At Deadline...

Confidence In For-Profits Is Eroding

Oxford Drops Medicaid in 2 States While Its Legal Troubles Deepen