March 2004

Cover Story

Narrow Networks' Broader Vision
In the bad old days, health plans would contract with a limited number of providers, promising them lots of work in return for low prices. Now, a new generation of narrow networks takes a page from the old HMO playbook, adding fresh comparisons on quality that all providers will find hard to ignore.

John Carroll

Can Transparency Save Health Care?
If everyone can see what everyone is doing, we'll have better care at lower costs. First task: Create common standards.

Martin Sipkoff

Mental Health Parity's Nice, But Is Federal Bill Too Costly?
There's a big push for passage this year, but don't hold your breath. Many feel that such a measure would be too expensive.

John Carroll

Consumer-Directed Plans Begin Measuring Patient Satisfaction
Initial results are promising. Employees turn toward preventive medicine and away from expensive drug therapies.

MargaretAnn Cross

Safeguards Against Stockpiling Now Have Global Ramifications
Y2K, 9/11, anthrax scares — these events crystallized the problem of medication stockpiling. How does managed care respond?

Tony Berberabe

Peer-Reviewed

IgE-Blocking Therapy for Difficult-to-Treat Asthma: A Brief Review
Omalizumab, a novel therapy that targets specific steps in the inflammatory cascade of asthma, may benefit the hard-to-treat patient.

Gailen D. Marshall Jr., MD, PhD

Editor’s Memo

With Updating, Old Ways Often Prove To Be Worthwhile

John A. Marcille

Legislation & Regulation

Health Savings Accounts Ready To Enter the Market
Federal backing aligns with market pressure to create an irresistible force. However, health plans need to be aware of some troubling issues.

John Carroll

Ethics

'Often Wrong, Never in Doubt'
It's easy to blame the uninformed, and sometimes fair, but are the ignorant the only ones at fault? Medical professionals need to be able to explain, not just order and direct.

Michael S. Victoroff, MD

Compensation Monitor

Physician-owned practices benefit from diverse mix of specialists
The Formulary Files

More State Medicaid Programs Use Preferred Drug Lists To Manage Costs
Tomorrow’s Medicine

Insulin Pumps Buy Time Until Transplant Therapy Arrives
Improvements in the features of diabetes pumps have evolved since their original backpack-size days. Managed care needs to evaluate the new bells and whistles.

Thomas Morrow, MD

Employer Update

Wellness Program Gets On-the-Job Training
Pepsi promises that work-site clinics won't take business away from health plans.

MargaretAnn Cross

Managed Care Outlook

Retirement looks less golden for many



News & Commentary

Smoking-Cessation Efforts Set Cost-Effectiveness Bar

More Retirees Face Life Without Health Benefits

Hospitals Retain Bargaining Edge In Contract Talks

Health care execs say consumers lack information on quality

IOM: Workforce Diversity Lacking In Health Care

Headlines On Deadline ...