July 2003

Cover Story

Predictive Modeling, Sharp Lens on Near Future
The concept is not new, and there might not be total truth in advertising, but it is rapidly gaining acceptance as a technique to control costs and disease progression.

Bob Carlson

A Little Something For the Physicians
Health plans know that getting along with physicians is important, and many are trying new initiatives. Here are some successes.

Ed Silverman

Money Pit: Is Accreditation Always Worth the Cost?
Some plans swear by the benefits of obtaining an "excellent." Others say that customers care much more about cost.

MargaretAnn Cross

Q&A

A Conversation With Gail R. Wilensky, PhD: Adviser to Presidents Considers Politics and Reform
Change comes slowly, says this public policy expert whose work over the last two decades has helped frame the health care debate. She'd like to see greater efforts in the public and private sectors to reward quality.

Patrick Mullen

Peer-Reviewed

Managing Perinatal Outcomes: The Clinical Benefit and Cost-Effectiveness of Pharmacologic Treatment of Recurrent Preterm Labor
Continuous subcutaneous terbutaline infusion shows improved clinical outcomes and decreased nursery costs compared with oral tocolytics in women with recurrent preterm labor.

Fung Lam, MD ; Niki B. Istwan, RN, BS ; Debbie Jacques, MPH ; Suzanne K. Coleman, RNC, MS ; Gary J. Stanziano, MD

Editor’s Memo

HMOs' Current IT Investments Promise Exceptional Returns

John A. Marcille

Viewpoint

Physician Executives Don't Have To Go It Alone
Mentors and support groups can help you avoid being fired. And if the worst does happen, they can facilitate your comeback.

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Legislation & Regulation

CMS Move Threatens To Put Orphan Drugs Out in Cold
Have drug companies lost the incentive to develop products for small populations? What's managed care's stake?

John Carroll

Ethics

'Have I Got a Magic Lamp for You!'
The current debate over a single payer system calls to mind the parable of the blind men describing an elephant.

Michael S. Victoroff, MD

Compensation Monitor

Where physician executives can expect the best pay
Tomorrow’s Medicine

Drug-Eluting Stents To Transform Cardiovascular Medicine
By reducing restenosis, these devices will save managed care money.

Thomas Morrow, MD

Snapshot

HMO players continue earnings roll: How long will employers put up with it?
Managed Care Outlook

National drug bill to continue rising by 14%–18%



News & Commentary

Business Groups Not Sold On Association Health Plans

Headlines On Deadline ...

Tiering Hospitals Pays Off For Calif. Blues Plan