May 2003

Rising Costs Strike Unions As Being Cause for Unrest
Many labor organizations have been isolated from inflationary realities. Can health plans and employers make them see the light?

MargaretAnn Cross

Physicians in Large Corporations Take on More Influential Roles
Businesses are relying on doctors to direct the health benefit. They often work directly with plans to keep workers healthy — and at their posts.

MargaretAnn Cross

Cover Story

Is 1 the Answer?: More Calling for Single-Payer System
Most would not want health care to go through such a major change unless it became a question of survival. Many say that's just where we are.

John Carroll

Why Looking for Victims of Domestic Violence Makes Sense
Many health plans see real value — financial as well as social — in screening for victims.

MargaretAnn Cross

Working Together on the Medical Side
Partly because of employers' demands, health plans are starting to cooperate in ways that improve care.

Martin Sipkoff

Q&A

Suzanne F. Delbanco: Employer Coalition Leaps at Challenge of Grappling With Misaligned Incentives
The executive director of the Leapfrog Group says that the organization pleads guilty to trying to create 'aspirational' standards for health care.

Shared Appointments Improve Efficiency in the Clinic
Do more with less — that's what we all must learn. In the physician's office, when patients share their doctor's time, everyone benefits.

Bob Carlson

Peer-Reviewed

A Health Care Management Company's Experience With Palivizumab – 1 Year Later
The appropriate application of criteria for the use of palivizumab can save health plans a significant amount of money.

William Silverman, MD, FAAP

Editor’s Memo

Questions Keep Us Involved

John A. Marcille

Viewpoint

Higher Drug Copays Now Might Cause Problems Later
The long-term impact of noncompliance must be considered before copayments are increased. This is especially true where chronic conditions are concerned.

Wayne Miller, RPh, MBA

Legislation & Regulation

AWP Reimbursement Ruling May Be More Than Meets Eye
The managed care industry says that the ramifications of the Supreme Court decision will be slight. But could that be just wishful thinking?

John Carroll

Compensation Monitor

Liability insurance premium hikes take bite out of physicians' income
Snapshot

Poll: Health care industry needs more regulation
Ethics

Keep Politics Out of Examining Room
Physicians, teachers, and clergy are among those professions that enjoy particular respect. They must preserve equanimity in the face of ephemeral social movements.

Michael S. Victoroff, MD

Managed Care Outlook

Premiums up, benefits down for M+C



News & Commentary

E-Health Gives Kaiser Role In Bioterror Fight

High Profits Seen for HMOs Through 2003

Program Rewards Physicians For Delivering High-Quality Care

Headlines On Deadline ...

Latinos more likely to be uninsured, says study