July 2009

Cover Story

How to Save a Bundle on Hospital Readmissions
Managed Medicare and Medicaid especially struggle to develop improved discharge and follow-up systems

Lola Butcher

Want to Change Patients’ Behavior? Look to the Internet
Patients are responding to online programs that help them improve or maintain their health and become better consumers

Thomas Reinke

Is Your Online Formulary Guide Ready for Uncle Sam’s Scrutiny?
Under new Medicare rules, searchable formulary Web sites now face tougher regulatory oversight

Jeff Mays

Q&A

A Conversation With Thomas E. Getzen, PhD: How Much Are We Willing to Spend?
Reform may not address the real question
Peer-Reviewed

Effect of Patient Medication Cost Share on Adherence and Glycemic Control
Higher cost sharing decreases adherence to oral diabetes drugs and worsens glucose levels

Jacquelyn Hunt, PharmD, MS, BCPS ; Yelena Rozenfeld, MPH ; Rahul Shenolikar, BS Pharm, PhD

Editor’s Memo

Tired of Spin & Half-Truths? Let the Sun Shine In

John Marcille

Legislation & Regulation

Legislation Shortens Members’ Waiting Time
“The doctor can see you this afternoon” may become the typical response when a patient calls for a same-day office visit. California leads the way.

John Carroll

Medication Management

Health Plans Take Active Role In Overcoming Clinical Inertia
Improve pharmaceutical control of chronic diseases by communicating with network providers and using integrated claims data

Martin Sipkoff

Compensation Monitor

Nurse anesthetists’ pay comparable to PCPs’
Plan Watch

Palo Alto Clinic Physicians Design Own P4P Program
Bonuses and the fact that doctors knew each other’s scores seem to have helped to improve outcomes

Frank Diamond

Tomorrow’s Medicine

New Wheelchair Design Improves Maneuverability
Shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other repetitive stress injuries can be avoided with this advance

Thomas Morrow, MD

Managed Care Outlook

Comparative effectiveness to play greater role



News & Commentary

Modest gains in health plan membership

Americans Still Have Limited Knowledge About Generics

Headlines on Deadline ...