AIS's Health Business Daily

April 16, 2008

"In looking at the market and economy, I think [enrollees migrating to low-premium options] could be a harbinger of a trend. People are starting to be a lot more cost sensitive. The biggest trend that all [health insurance] carriers are likely to see going forward is price sensitivity. So we need to be very careful about cost increases and sustaining affordability."

— Deb Shepard, executive director for business development and benefits administration of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Assn.'s Federal Employees Plan, told AIS's Health Plan Week.

Today's Featured Story

As Prescription Drug Costs Rise, Some Health Plans and PBMs Are Putting a Higher Priority on Improving Interactions With Physicians

3.6%

…will be the 2009 average payment increase for Medicare Advantage plans, up a bit from 3.5% in 2007 and 2008, but below medical expense trends of 5% to 6%.

Health Reform and the 2008 Elections:
What's Ahead for Health Care Access, Delivery and Financing
July 10-11, The Washington Court Hotel, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
Speakers include Senators Rockefeller, Hatch and Wyden and Congressmen Stark, Waxman and Camp. You'll also hear reform perspectives from the Clinton, McCain and Obama presidential campaigns, leaders from prominent health business organizations, health policy analysts, and state legislators. Click here.

People On the Move

Dennis Smith, director of CMS's Center for Medicaid and State Operations, has left the agency. Smith held that position for seven years. CMS Deputy Administrator Herb Kuhn will assume the role of acting director….HHS named Robin Robinson the first director of the Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority (BARDA). He was deputy director of BARDA's Influenza and Emerging Disease Program. BARDA was established in 2007 in the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.

Personal Health Records (PHRs): New Strategies for Health Plans
An audioconference - April 29, 2008
Learn strategies for effectively developing and deploying a PHR to serve the needs of stakeholders from Jan Oldenburg, Internet Services Group, Kaiser Permanente and Scott Heimes, SVP of consumer solutions for OptumHealth. Click here.

Today's Featured Health Business Job Opening

Confidential Health Plan
VP-Pharmacy Services Position
Mid-Atlantic Region

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