Vol. 8, No. 8
August 1999
HMOs hope higher pharmacy copayments will lead to more responsible utilization, but poor outcomes could result if compliance drops. Physicians' prescribing habits will be challenged.
As Kaiser Permanente prepares to leave the Northeastern U.S., physicians left behind are faced with a number of unfamiliar problems. First among them: How to survive.
NCQA is challenging plans that don't participate in its quality- measurement program. HEDIS scores were best for plans that have consistently reported their results to the public.
The free market has the potential to improve health care delivery, but responsibility for care decisions and funding may have to be reallocated, says this pharmacoeconomist.
"Public key infrastructure" is one means of sharing more information with the right people while keeping hackers at bay.
Editor's Memo
Expect Close Encounters With Pharmacy's Third Tier
News and Commentary
Health Expenditures Ease a Bit; Drugs
Lead Cost-of-Care Increase
Health expenses rise, but more gently
[chart]
Patients Rights: This Isn't Even Close
to the End
NCQA Takes Initial Steps To Examine Quality of PPOs
HMOs Defect From Medicare, Decry Drug Rider
California May Stop Giving Physicians New
HMO Licenses
Headlines on Deadline...
Washington Watch
Sleeping Giant Has Awakened: U.S. Relentlessly Sniffs Out Fraud
State Initiatives
TennCare Gets Higher Marks for Care Than for Administration and Funding
Compensation Monitor
Extenders' pay gains exceed physicians'
Ethics
AMA's Union Approval Raises Troubling Issues
Legal Forum
Don't Be Decredentialed Without Putting Up a Fight
Managed Care Outlook [chart]
Recruiters show less ardor for primary care physicians
