August 2001
In tying copayments closely to the actual cost of medications, Humana takes a step toward promoting awareness of resource use.
The backlash has helped push a Patients' Bill of Rights forward, challenging the very nature of cost containment. Ironically, enrollees may be shortchanged.
A clearinghouse was created that stores details about malpractice suits and disciplinary actions. So how come HMOs don't use it?
The evolution of managed care has posed ethical problems for physicians, plan administrators, and even patients. Four ethicists find that questions are many, while satisfactory answers are in short supply.
The Senate version would leave previous state and federal rulings against HMOs intact. Medical directors ignoring external-review boards can be sued.
Lobbying in Washington, monitoring state legislation and generally looking out for the interests of pharmacy programs run by health care plans and pharmacy benefit managers, Judith Cahill leads the AMCP at an exciting, critical time.
Departments
Washington Watch
Michael Levin-Epstein
Compensation Monitor
Ethics
Michael S. Victoroff, M.D.
Managed Care Outlook