tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61408179775021367432024-03-12T22:20:50.359-04:00The Healthcare Purchasers Hub
News from the National Alliance, member coalitions, partners, and industry to help drive quality and value of healthcare services. NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.comBlogger878125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-75986241808580365602017-05-08T12:47:00.001-04:002017-05-08T12:47:34.049-04:00Collaboration Plus Action: National Alliance Summits 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the National Alliance, collaboration is in our DNA. We promote cooperation not only among our members, but also between the many stakeholders in the health and healthcare space. But while it’s fruitful when we come to the table, identify common ground, and agree to work together, collaboration alone isn’t enough. We need collaboration toward an end: we need to act. And sparking action was the goal of our two-day summit on Mental Health and Wellbeing in Denver last week. </span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-f85374c3-e8ed-737c-ec7e-cfaa493acab9" style="clear: left; float: left; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="238" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fd4owHzbPqhHJO16u5YavrwxdaPn34TMDUjimeBCAl_k9hPzAcjHI2RYPgZRWsBa3nbZyQk440lapxXjeYaYkLcqkSj7HmdjKBdObZOWDtsTvpVLrLskfO5aVj84NanYC3nOIXhL" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="320" /> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In their </span><a href="http://heathbrothers.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">books about creating change</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Chip and Dan Heath argue that the best way to approach large and complex challenges is to look for what they call “bright spots.” Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong and trying to “problem-solve,” they contend that we should focus instead on these glimmers of promise. In the face of intractable problems and long-standing systems that are failing, </span><a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/1514493/switch-dont-solve-problems-copy-success" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">instead of asking, ‘how do we fix this</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">?’, the better question is: “What’s working and how can we do more of it?” Last week’s summits provided an opportunity for us to celebrate the bright spots in mental health and wellbeing. Yes, this is inspiring, but it’s also practical: if we are serious about change, we can achieve more by looking to those who have already developed solutions than by continuing to analyze, discuss, and dissect the problems we know we face. When we find bright spots, we can leverage what’s already been achieved and accelerate our own success. </span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KX1RueX6NkPVZWuKcEU4o1OEey--NwURAyNLaGupgniba9hPdz_bKCDjTEahC8YRZYNzuImDrKj60m4S7fLFhcBlJLDQtwfUj9T6NwiAZ6mxk41sZ8b8eEvVp8jzMmNah6v-Qzts" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As our President and CEO Mike Thompson shared in his opening remarks, within the field of mental health there are challenges on all levels: lack of understanding and stigmatization, inefficient and ineffective treatment, and access issues, to name just a few. But for every area of concern in mental health, there are stakeholders who have found solutions, and we heard from them on Day One of our summit. Major corporations like EY and PwC shared how they are going beyond simply offering “programs,” and instead developing authentic cultures of care. Throughout the day, panelists shared concrete strategies as well as suggestions for their implementation. With many emphasizing the importance of evidence-based and measurement-based care, taking action toward visible and quantifiable outcomes was a theme throughout the day.</span><img height="394" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/aETEc6hJ4QsxiAiIoDP68wzYNZ4zCs2jxf0JuXRhjuJbliC8uXBEc7C38204u7Km53feHOzqp4BLDXuMwqRmlFVJkZnHzrdNEqL2m3IsjX9iK6ECIz7ins1anD5NZHVSGGwPIxsq" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="435" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The use of technology was an overarching bright spot throughout both days of the summit. From physicians expanding access to mental health services through telemedicine, to the emerging research around pharmacogenomics aimed at improving quality of care through personalization, to apps that empower individuals to reach their health and wellness goals, technology is offering solutions to many of our most difficult problems. We can learn from these innovators, and apply what they are “doing right” in our own spheres. </span><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><img height="326" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/oJhg8qq3FlVXwETzy0Eg-WlCyc-cOLCYQSsQk3gh_fc0ufgVPT6_1osPK5R1M5SAyPFr4uzvuojjPefcHUnoVf3Ygmq1Tc19JGvqEksKNc7KJi2o8z9Yavqv07nBucp9YZl_mGXU" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="408" /></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just as there was a consensus on the challenges around mental health, we heard broadbased support for a more inclusive, holistic vision of health in general on Day Two of the summits. Speakers offered both visions and strategies for reframing health to mean something closer to overall well-being, something more people-focused. While the well-being field is a relatively new frontier, there are many examples of models that are working. And it’s not only giants like Google who are giving us a roadmap (although what the company’s Superintendent of Well Being and keynote speaker, Bill Duane, is doing there is extraordinary). We can learn just as much from the successes of local organizations like the Avedis Foundation, which is transforming communities through things like community markets, walking trails, and neighbor support programs. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In explaining our collective motivation and the urgency of these challenges, Mike Thompson said, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why now? Because we are living in a time when risks and costs are great.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Given the very engaged audience and the extended reach of our speakers’ messages on social media, we believe we’ve reached a critical moment of power and momentum. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By merging collaboration with action, and looking to bright spots in our field, we will create real solutions to even our most complex challenges. </span></div>
NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-70119659946986376892017-04-17T10:58:00.002-04:002017-04-17T10:58:57.218-04:00Mental Health & Wellbeing Summits 2017<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Spring is a time of year that
inspires change and innovation. We’ve had the chance to reflect on the first
quarter of the year and are looking forward to continuing to make meaningful change.
It’s the perfect time to take stock of what your organization is doing well and
areas that could use improvement, and one ideal way to do that is to convene
with others to share ideas and strategies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This is the motivation behind our
upcoming Summits in mental health and wellbeing. By bringing together a diverse
group of employers and other stakeholders, along with national thought leaders,
we are going to create a space where innovative strategies will be shared, new
relationships forged, and opportunities discovered. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On Day 1, our Mental Health Summit,
we’ll hear from speakers at the leading edge of mental health research, care,
and policy together leading employers, vendors and coalitions in the space. By
promoting dialogue across sectors, we can better address some of the most
challenging issues we face. For example, our panel on “Moving Beyond Parity to
Improve Access and Value,” we bring together leading voices from sectors
touching all sides of this issue, including CEO of advocacy group NAMI, Mary
Giliberti, the Chief Psychiatric Officer for Aetna, Hyong Un, the Chief Policy
Officer from the American Psychiatric Association and the Senior Medical
Director for Behavioral Health from TeleDoc - and that is just one of our
panels!!<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">During our Wellbeing Summit the
following day, leaders in this emerging field will share evidence-based
practices and strategies for promoting a more holistic view of health and
wellbeing in the workplace and beyond. We’ll learn more about the science
behind approaching health from a holistic perspective, and exactly how
employers, communities, and health systems are implementing end to end
strategies related to wellbeing. Representatives from companies like Google,
Zappos, and PwC will share why they’ve made workplace wellbeing a priority, and
the types of results that are possible when employees and employers are
committed to this goal. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our mission at the National
Alliance is to drive innovation, health and value for companies and communities
across the country and these Summits will lay the foundation for how we can improve
the wellbeing of individuals and their families through and to the benefit of
employers, communities and health systems. By engaging stakeholders from every
corner, sharing knowledge and skills, and working together to drive innovation,
health, and value, our summits will highlight where these interests are
aligned, today's bright spots of performance while providing a roadmap for
future collaborations to create positive change. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There are a few spots left so <a href="http://www.nationalalliancehealth.org/April-Summit-Registration">please register here</a> to join us
for the conversations at this important conference. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.nationalalliancehealth.org/Mental-Health-Summit-Agenda" target="_blank">Mental Health Agenda </a></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.nationalalliancehealth.org/Day-2-Agenda" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Wellbeing Agenda </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 11pt;"><u1:p></u1:p></span></b><o:p></o:p></a></div>
<a href="http://www.nationalalliancehealth.org/Day-2-Agenda" target="_blank"><u1:p></u1:p>
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-54265815302510940112017-02-08T09:33:00.001-05:002017-02-09T11:51:12.688-05:00Connect with us in 2017!As part of our rebranding to the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) we've made changes to our communications and social media outlets. One of these is a revamped blog.<br />
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We're resuming our regular posting of information and news that will be helpful to coalitions, employers and other stakeholders. To minimize the number of emails you receive, a summary of posts for each week will be emailed to subscribers each Friday.<br />
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We encourage you to connect with us on <a href="https://twitter.com/ntlalliancehlth" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-business-coalition-on-health?trk=top_nav_home" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</div>
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We'll also be launching a new and improved website later this year! </div>
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-76531180676244435822016-02-29T08:44:00.001-05:002016-02-29T08:44:47.437-05:00Mike Thompson named NBCH President and CEOWe are pleased to share the news that Mike Thompson, a principal for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), has been offered and accepted the position of NBCH President and CEO.<br />
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At PwC for the past 20 years, Thompson is a national thought leader for business health strategies and health system reform. He has worked with major employers and other stakeholders on sustainable cost reduction, integrated health, wellness and consumerism, retiree health, private health exchanges and health reform. </div>
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He was selected for his ability to forge and sustain collaborative relationships and communicate and advocate effectively to enable and build upon NBCH’s industry role and relationships.</div>
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<a href="http://www.nbch.org/Press-Release-02.29.16" target="_blank">Here's a link to today’s news release with additional details</a>.</div>
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Welcome Mike!<br />
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-70641090282160531942016-02-16T17:40:00.000-05:002016-02-16T17:40:43.988-05:00NEW PEEC SURVEY: Despite Delay in Excise Tax, Employers Continue to Explore Value of Private ExchangesAccording to a survey of employers conducted by the <a href="http://www.thepeec.com/">Private Exchange Evaluation Collaborative</a> (PEEC), 46% have implemented or are continuing to look at private health insurance exchanges to offer health benefits for their covered populations. Over the last few months PEEC has polled employers for a broad study on their views and intentions related to exchanges. A second shorter study was conducted in January to gauge strategies in light of the two-year delay in the implementation of the excise tax.<div>
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Under the Affordable Care Act, employers whose health benefits cost more than $10,200 for individuals or $27,500 for families have to pay an excise or “Cadillac” tax of 40% on the amount above those figures. Prior to the extension of the excise tax implementation, employers were modeling whether their plans would hit the tax thresholds, and if so, when that would take place. Over 40% of employers expected to be exposed to the tax in 2018.</div>
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"Overall, interest in private exchanges remains strong. This year’s results show interest is highest among small and mid-market employers, with 50% showing interest” says Barbara Gniewek, Principal at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). “Interestingly, these employers are thought to have the most to gain from a private exchange, but noted a lack of available information and education on the solutions. 36% of employers over 10,000 have or are considering private exchanges.”</div>
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<b>Key findings</b></div>
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<li>When asked if they would consider using a private exchange for full-time active employees before 2019, 6% of employers responded they have contracted with an exchange, the same percent as in 2014 and somewhat fewer (40% versus 41%) indicated they are still considering this strategy.</li>
<li>Over half of employers (53%) agreed that if an industry peer moved to a private exchange they would be more likely to do so.</li>
<li>The rate of employers considering the public exchange for full-time active employees did not change year over year (16% in 2014 and 2015).</li>
<li>Key attributes considered when evaluating private exchanges have remained stable from 2014 to 2015, with high priority placed on cost of moving to an exchange, customer experience, and networks available from the exchange plans.</li>
<li>Almost half of early adopters of exchanges said they were able to save money.</li>
<li>Company size is a determining factor in whether or not a company will consider a private exchange, with greater interest from small and mid-sized firms than larger ones.</li>
<li>While over 60% of employers anticipate the excise tax will be repealed, employers continue to aggressively look at ways to reduce their exposure to the tax law.</li>
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<a href="http://nebgh.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2015-PEEC-Survey-Executive-Summary.pdf">An executive summary of the findings along with additional details can be accessed here.</a><br /><br />“Employers are more invested than ever in the value of their health care dollar,” said Larry Boress, president and CEO of the Midwest Business Group on Health. “Motivated by high medical care costs and their potential exposure to the ACA's excise tax, interest remains high among health care purchasers in exploring the potential value of private exchanges and other strategies to reduce their exposure to the tax. Many are focused on improving employee engagement through a suite of tools and services that will ultimately enhance the health of their population.”<br /><br /><b>Survey details</b></div>
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These results come from two online surveys of employers’ views on health insurance exchanges conducted in November 2015 and January 2016. More than 350 employers (28% had less than 500 employees, 21% had 500 – 2,499 employees, 23% had 2,500 – 9,999 employees, and 28% had over 10,000 employees) from 34 different industries across the nation participated in the November survey. PEEC also surveyed 129 employers in January 2016 after the delay in the excise tax implementation was announced, to understand how this delay may have changed their views or intentions related to private exchange and other benefit and worksite activities.<br /><br /><b>About the Private Exchange Evaluation Collaborative (PEEC)</b>The <a href="http://www.thepeec.com/">Private Exchange Evaluation Collaborative</a> (PEEC) is an initiative launched in 2013 by four leading nonprofit business coalitions, <a href="http://www.ehpco.com/">Employers Health Coalition, Inc.</a> (Ohio), <a href="http://www.mbgh.org/Home/">Midwest Business Group on Health</a>, <a href="http://nebgh.org/">Northeast Business Group on Health</a>, and the <a href="http://www.pbgh.org/">Pacific Business Group on Health</a> – all independent coalitions representing employer health care interests –and <a href="http://www.pwc.com/us/hrs">PricewaterhouseC</a>oopers (PwC) (not an exchange provider). PEEC will solicit and provide unbiased, comparative information and support on private exchange strategies and purchasing decisions.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-52883914110453722232016-02-08T10:00:00.000-05:002016-02-08T10:00:14.054-05:0020 Employers Form the Health Transformation AllianceTwenty large employers have formed the <a href="http://htahealth.com/">Health Transformation Alliance</a>, a new business coalition focused on the rising cost of health care. According to the <a href="http://htahealth.com/docs/press/Leading_US_Companies_Announce_Plan_to_Transform_the_Corporate_Health_Care_System.pdf">news release</a>: “Their goal is to break with existing marketplace practices that are costly, wasteful and inefficient, all of which have resulted in employees paying higher premiums, copayments and deductibles every year.”<br />
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Bruce Japsen, a contributor for <i>Forbes</i>, <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2016/02/05/yet-another-business-coalition-forms-to-tame-health-costs/#696ab6af3d134f74f8df3d13" target="_blank">wrote about this news</a>, noting “the group joins an already crowded field of national and regional coalitions of employers.”<br />
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NBCH Board Chair Karen van Caulil was able to offer insight for Japsen's article:<br />
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“Employers should be thinking not only about how they can work together to drive prices down, but also how they can push to improve quality and change the payment and delivery of care. Our coalitions have been doing this work for years in their respective markets and have the regional intelligence and boots on the ground to make a difference. Many of the companies engaged in this new alliance are not involved in the regional coalitions and we would welcome them to play a more active role to bring about change in the communities where their employees live and work.”</blockquote>
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<i>Karen van Caulil, board chair, <a href="https://www.nbch.org/">National Business Coalition on Health</a>, and President & CEO, <a href="http://www.flhcc.com/">Florida Health Care Coalition</a>. </i></blockquote>
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-72785657855616225862016-01-08T10:09:00.001-05:002016-01-08T10:09:40.168-05:00New research: Diabetes takes toll on life span and quality of life<a href="http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2015/12/17/dc15-1095.abstract?sid=d800fd95-cb40-4439-9e33-2cbf323a1a79">Recent research published in Diabetes Care</a>, a publication of the American Diabetes Association, found that diabetes is associated with a substantial reduction in life span.<div>
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The study sought to quantify the impact of diabetes status on healthy and disabled years of life for older adults in the U.S. and provide a baseline from which to evaluate ongoing national public health efforts to prevent and control diabetes and disability.</div>
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Adults with type 2 diabetes die, on average, nearly five years earlier than their peers without the condition, according to research statistics. They also develop disabilities — like losing limbs or toes due to poor circulation — six to seven years earlier than non-diabetics.</div>
NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-11636822127467655992015-11-23T11:37:00.000-05:002015-11-23T12:34:25.055-05:00Pacific Business Group on Health Receives 2015 Membership Award from NBCH<i>Coalition recognized for leadership role in public reporting, payment reform and quality measurement</i><br />
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DALLAS – Nov. 18, 2015 – The <a href="http://www.pbgh.org/">Pacific Business Group on Health</a> (PBGH) was honored with the 2015 Membership Award by the <a href="http://www.nbch.org/">National Business Coalition on Health</a> (NBCH) for their leadership and efforts to work with purchasers across the country in collaboration with health plans and providers to improve quality and value in the US health system.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lauren Vela, Sr. Director, Member Value for PBGH, accepts the award from NBCH CEO Charles Smithers and Karen van Caulil, NBCH Board Chair and President and CEO of the Florida Health Care Coalition.</span></div>
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<br /><br /><br /><br />A non-profit business coalition focused on improving the quality and affordability of health care, PBGH represents 60 large health care purchaser members with more than 10 million employees, retirees and dependents in California.</div>
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<br />“PBGH is proud to be honored for the work we do on behalf of, and alongside our members,” said David Lansky, president and CEO of PBGH. “We have the great fortune of working with forward thinking purchasers who are dedicated to improving the value and outcomes of health care for their covered populations and health care consumers nationwide. On behalf of our members we would like to thank NBCH for recognizing our efforts to transform US health care.”<br /><br />The coalition demonstrated leadership particularly in the areas of value-based purchasing initiatives and innovative benefit design strategies. Key PBGH policy programs include:<br />
· Leveraging the clout of large purchasers to improve quality measurement<br />
· Public reporting of provider and health plan performance information<br />
· Collaborating with public officials to inform development and implementation of innovative payment and delivery reform policies<br />
· Aligning public sector efforts with private purchaser activities to support comprehensive, system-wide transformation<br />
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Specific payment reform efforts in 2015 include recruiting large self-insured employers into state-based multi-payer initiatives, as well as the creation of a nation-wide Purchaser Value Network (PVN) to harvest and spread best practices in payment reform among public and private purchasers across the country. <br />
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PBGH also works with federal and state policymakers to facilitate the use of innovative benefit design strategies among its broader membership base. In 2015, this effort has included shaping implementation of the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health insurance plans, alignment of EEOC wellness regulations with the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and clarification of recent HHS guidance on embedded out-of-pocket limits. The policy team also works with the administration to identify and remove regulatory barriers to value-based insurance design and purchasing initiatives like the Employer Centers of Excellence Network (ECEN). <br />
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PBGH engages both its members and the broader purchaser community in the performance measurement and reporting enterprise through the Consumer-Purchaser Alliance. The Alliance regularly develops education and advocacy materials for purchasing organizations and disseminates that information through email alerts, a periodic newsletter, website updates, webinars, traditional press, public comment letters, and social media.<br />
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“As health care costs continue to rise, coalitions are playing a critical role in reforming the system through community collaboration and purchasing strategies to improve the quality and value in care delivery,” said Karen van Caulil, NBCH board chair and president and CEO of the Florida Health Care Coalition. “We congratulate PBGH on receiving this well-deserved recognition for their efforts to improve health and health care.”<br />
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<b>About the Pacific Business Group on Health</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.pbgh.org/" target="_blank">PBGH</a> is a non-profit business coalition focused on improving the quality and affordability of health care. The group represents 60 large health care purchaser members with more than 10 million employees, retirees and dependents in California. Follow on Twitter: @PBGH_updates<br />
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<b>About the National Business Coalition on Health</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.nbch.org/">National Business Coalition on Health</a> (NBCH) is a national nonprofit membership organization of purchaser-led health care coalitions, representing more than 7,000 employers, unions and local governments, and approximately 35 million employees and dependents across the United States. NBCH and its members are dedicated to value-based purchasing of health care services through the collective action of public and private purchasers. NBCH seeks to accelerate the nation’s progress toward safe, efficient, high-quality health care and the improved health status of the American population. Follow on Twitter: @NBCH<br />
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-65342522319868352712015-11-23T11:32:00.000-05:002015-11-23T13:09:36.284-05:00McKesson Honored by NBCH for Leadership in Building a Culture of Health<i>Award recognizes McKesson’s value-based benefit design efforts and effective wellness program</i><br />
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DALLAS – Nov. 18, 2015 – McKesson Corporation was presented with the Employer Excellence Award at the <a href="http://www.nbch.org/">National Business Coalition on Health’s</a> (NBCH) annual conference. <a href="http://www.mckesson.com/">McKesson</a> was recognized for leadership and efforts to improve the health and wellness of employees while creating a health care system focused on lower costs, higher quality, and better health for all.</div>
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“While we’re in the business of better health, our commitment starts with our workforce,” said, Jerry Warren, Senior Vice President, Total Rewards, McKesson. “We strongly believe that making investments in our people and community is not only good for business, but also benefits the communities where our employees live and work. Our health and wellness program successfully promotes the physical, mental, and social well-being of our employees and their families. We have improved their health, while also creating opportunities to lower health care costs for our company, our employees and their families.”</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Neil Oktavec, Manager, Benefits Strategy & Analytics for McKesson Corporation, accepts the award from NBCH CEO Chuck Smithers; Robin Turpin, Director, U.S. Health Delivery Systems, Takeda Pharmaceuticals; Karen van Caulil, NBCH Board Chair, Pres. and CEO Florida Health Care Coalition; and Lauren Vela, Sr. Director, Member Value, Pacific Business Group on Health</span></td></tr>
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Offered to employees and spouses, McKesson’s health and wellness program is powered by <a href="http://www.thevitalitygroup.com/">Vitality</a> and includes health risk assessments and screenings, educational tools, physical activities and prevention efforts. The program has had increased employee engagement each year since its inception in 2007 and has evolved from a payout for completed health assessments into a comprehensive health promotion program with an integrated incentive structure that rewards participants for healthy behaviors. Through Vitality, employees engage in approximately 80 healthy activities each year.<br />
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Employees have become more highly engaged as a result of McKesson’s key programs that involve incentives, value-based benefit design and consumer-driven health plans. The result has been higher achievements in health including:</div>
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<li>Employees are engaged with 90% participating in the wellness program at some level.</li>
<li>A 5% lower medical cost trend (resulting in over $4 million in savings in one year) was reported for those highly engaged in the wellness programs over the last five years relative to those not highly engaged.</li>
<li>Approximately 85% of employees in a health plan have done the health risk questionnaire in the last two years, over 60% biometric screening, and over 40% of the population has verified physical activity through the wellness program.</li>
<li>For disease management, 25-30% of McKesson’s chronic population have engaged in programs over the last four years, a 10 times increase from prior periods.</li>
<li>McKesson measures population risk through many metrics, such as Vitality Age (measure of lifestyle risk) and DxCG risk scores. In 2011, 83% of McKesson’s eligible population had a Vitality Age that was older than their chronological age. In 2013, results were at 77%.</li>
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McKesson’s vendors are also required to have skin in the game. Approximately $3 million (20%) of self-insured health plan fees are at risk, mostly on risk <span style="line-height: 15pt;">adjusted cost results. More efficient plans get lower employee premiums gaining significant market share. Wellness, condition management, and transparency vendors have often 35%-100% of fees contingent on reaching certain aggressive engagement milestones and ROI.</span><br />
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“McKesson has an impressive history of being at the forefront of health care innovation, said Charles Smithers, NBCH CEO. “They are an excellent example of an employer committed to improving the health care delivery system and health of their employees. We applaud their efforts and congratulate them on receiving this award.” <br />
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NBCH’s Employer Excellence Award is sponsored by Takeda. McKesson is a member of the Pacific Business Group on Health.<br />
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<b>About McKesson Corporation</b><br />
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 11th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. McKesson partners with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational, and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical services. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.mckesson.com/">www.mckesson.com</a>.<br />
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<b>About the National Business Coalition on Health</b><br />
<a href="http://www.nbch.org/">National Business Coalition on Health</a> (NBCH) is a national nonprofit membership organization of purchaser-led health care coalitions, representing more than 7,000 employers, unions and local governments, and approximately 35 million employees and dependents across the United States. NBCH and its members are dedicated to value-based purchasing of health care services through the collective action of public and private purchasers. NBCH seeks to accelerate the nation’s progress toward safe, efficient, high-quality health care and the improved health status of the American population. Follow on Twitter: @NBCH<br />
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-79951304042162081892015-10-19T09:37:00.000-04:002015-10-19T09:38:02.199-04:00Health at work and community tightly linked: New employer engagement toolHealth at work and in the community is tightly linked. Unhealthy communities can compromise employer investments to improve employee health and productivity and present an economic barrier to product consumption and economic investments.<br />
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A healthy community, on the other hand, may be more desirable to live and work and therefore, good for business. For several years the <a href="http://www.nbch.org/">National Business Coalition on Health</a> (NBCH) has facilitated engagement between employers and community stakeholders in population health improvement strategies. NBCH has supported community health grant projects, provided technical assistance, and developed educational materials for business coalitions and partners.</div>
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This newly-developed <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/06vxdbqx91xgf0m/NBCH-CommunityHealthTool-EDITED.xlsm?oref=e&n=67307375">engagement tool</a> helps coalitions partner with local employers and other stakeholders to improve health in their communities. It includes:</div>
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<li>Assessment of an employer’s priorities and why they might want to participate in community-level health improvement activities</li>
<li>Results from <a href="http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/">County Health Rankings</a>, ranked by local opportunities for improvement relative to the national average</li>
<li>Potential next steps and resources</li>
<li>Employer case studies</li>
<li>Financial impact analysis framework and calculator</li>
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More information, including links to the <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/06vxdbqx91xgf0m/NBCH-CommunityHealthTool-EDITED.xlsm?oref=e&n=67307375">tool</a> and an informational <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/694anl63yzda4qi/2015-05-21%2013.00%20Using%20the%20County%20Health%20Rankings_%20Coalition%20Examples%20and%20Tools.wmv?dl=0">webinar</a>, is available <a href="http://www.nbch.org/Publications---Community-Engagement-Tool">here</a>. This project was conducted with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s <a href="http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/">County Health Rankings and Roadmaps</a> Program. The tool was developed by <a href="http://discernhealth.com/">Discern Health</a>.</div>
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-69654445685854303472015-10-07T11:03:00.000-04:002015-10-07T11:03:15.794-04:00Spotting Value in Your Benefits ProgramNBCH recently participated in the Mediaplanet’s latest “Employee Well-Being” campaign that features industry influencers, organizations and advocates to highlight the importance for employers to prioritize the overall well-being of their employees through the improvement of health care and benefits programs. <div>
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The campaign was distributed in an edition of USA TODAY, and will be available at our upcoming annual conference (Nov. 16-18, Fairmont Dallas).</div>
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Chuck Smithers contributed a piece on value-based benefit design : http://bit.ly/1Ow3tkN. And here's a link to all of the other workplace health and wellness articles: http://www.futureofbusinessandtech.com/workplace-wellness.</div>
NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-21672090928650745992015-09-23T13:29:00.000-04:002015-09-23T13:29:49.727-04:00Kaiser Family Foundation Survey: Health Insurance Deductibles Outpacing SalariesThis week the Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) released its <a href="http://kff.org/health-costs/report/2015-employer-health-benefits-survey/">2015 Employer Health Benefits Survey</a>, an annual survey of employers that provides a detailed look at trends in employer-sponsored health coverage including premiums, employee contributions, cost-sharing provisions, and employer opinions.<div>
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The research found that single and family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose an average of 4 percent this year, continuing a decade-long period of moderate growth. Since 2005, premiums have grown an average of 5 percent each year, compared to 11 percent annually between 1999 and 2005.</div>
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The study also found that the average annual premium for single coverage is $6,251, of which workers on average pay $1,071, and the average family premium is $17,545, with workers on average contributing $4,955.</div>
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Laurel Pickering, chief executive, Northeast Business Group on Health, and David Lansky, chief executive, Pacific Business Group on Health, weighed in on the research for an <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/23/business/health-insurance-deductibles-outpacing-wage-increases-study-finds.html?_r=0">article</a> written by Reed Abelson, a reporter for <i>The New York Times.</i></div>
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<br />NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-35219748919467366772015-09-08T13:16:00.000-04:002015-09-08T13:16:47.635-04:00Sept. 9 Webcast - Cancer in the Workplace: How Employers Can HelpOn Wednesday, September 9 from 1-2 p.m. Eastern, NBCH is hosting a webcast for employers and coalitions addressing cancer in the workplace.<br />
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Two presenters will share real experience from worksites identifying evidence-based strategies to improve the benefits and resources for employees living with cancer.</div>
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<a href="https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8404662853312905729">Register here</a>.<br />
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Over the last year Pfizer, in partnership with Cancer and Careers, has worked with a steering committee of experts to explore the topic of breast cancer and the workplace as part of the Breast Cancer: A Story Half Told <a href="http://www.pfizer.com/news/press_kits/breast_cancer">program</a>. The organizations recently commissioned a national survey examining the perspectives of working women with breast cancer, health care professionals and employers. This surfaced a number of important findings about how women living with breast cancer feel about working while undergoing treatment, and how employers can better support these women through improved communication.<br />
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As the challenges associated with working following a cancer diagnosis are not unique to breast cancer, Pfizer has also collaborated with several organizations to develop an additional resource, <a href="http://www.workplacetransitions.org/">Workplace Transitions</a>, This is a free program that provides information and tools to help support communication between employers and employees to ensure a healthy and productive workplace.</div>
NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-58012104314111877212015-08-28T14:06:00.002-04:002015-08-28T14:06:50.435-04:00NBCH announces speaker lineup for Annual ConferenceAn impressive group of forward-thinking thought leaders focused on the future of health care and benefits will be speaking at NBCH's Annual Conference, an event that convenes employers, business and health coalitions, health plans, providers and other stakeholders. This year's 25th anniversary event will be held at The Fairmont in Dallas, November 16-18, 2015.<div>
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Keynote speakers are David Goldhill, author of “How American Health Care Killed My Father,” and President and CEO of the Game Show Network; Jeffrey Bauer, Health Futurist and Medical Economist; Mark Caron, CEO, Geneia; and James Klein, President, American Benefits Council.</div>
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The event brings together an extensive group of health care stakeholders focused on best practice strategies to improve health outcomes, shrink excessive costs by benefit design, enhance care management, and reduce waste in the post-Affordable Care Act environment.</div>
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Additional speakers for this event include:</div>
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<li>Larry Boress, President & CEO, Midwest Business Group on Health </li>
<li>Kim Dwyer, Vice President, Benefits, Advocate Health Care </li>
<li>Cyndie Ewert, Vice President for Human Resources / Benefits, Energy Future Holdings </li>
<li>Gaye Fortner, CEO, Healthcare 21 Business Coalition </li>
<li>Paul Fronstin, PhD, Director, Health Research & Education Program, Employee Benefit Research Institute </li>
<li>Susanne Gensch, Wellness and Recognition Program Manager, Ericsson </li>
<li>Barbara Gniewek, Principal, PwC US </li>
<li>Neil Goldfarb, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health </li>
<li>Emma Hoo, Director, Pacific Business Group on Health </li>
<li>Bob Ihrie, Senior Vice President of Compensation & Benefits, Lowe's </li>
<li>Cheryl Larson, Vice President, Midwest Business Coalition on Health </li>
<li>Tom Lenhart, RPh, Vice President, Magellan Rx </li>
<li>Jack Mahoney, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Florida Health Care Coalition </li>
<li>Francois Millard, Chief Actuarial Officer, The Vitality Group </li>
<li>Sandra Morris, Senior Manager of U.S. Benefits Design, Procter & Gamble </li>
<li>Tom Parry, PhD, President, Integrated Benefits Institute </li>
<li>Olivia Ross, Associate Director, Pacific Business Group on Health </li>
<li>Bruce Sherman, MD, FCCP, FACOEM, Employers Health Coalition </li>
<li>Dexter Shurney, MD, Chief Medical Director and Executive Director, Global Health & Wellness, Cummins </li>
<li>Charles Smithers, Interim CEO, National Business Coalition on Health </li>
<li>Thomas Sondergeld, Vice President Global Benefits & Mobility, Walgreens Boots Alliance </li>
<li>Michael Thompson, Global Human Resources Services, Principal, PwC US </li>
<li>David Toomey, Chief Revenue Officer, Compass </li>
<li>Karen van Caulil, NBCH Board Chair and President , Florida Health Care Coalition </li>
<li>Lisa Woods, Senior Director Health Care Benefits, Walmart</li>
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Registration is complimentary for all employers affiliated with an NBCH member coalition. For additional details and to register for the conference, visit NBCH’s website: <a href="http://www.nbch.org/2015-Annual-Conference">http://www.nbch.org/2015-Annual-Conference</a>.<br /><br /> <h4 style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-13828281528182785592015-06-30T14:44:00.003-04:002015-07-07T08:53:18.585-04:00New NBCH Action Brief: Obesity (Update 2015)<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXmi75lvySQ/VZLip0JEfqI/AAAAAAAAAlI/xErixBs04NM/s1600/NBCH_AB_Obesity-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXmi75lvySQ/VZLip0JEfqI/AAAAAAAAAlI/xErixBs04NM/s200/NBCH_AB_Obesity-2015.jpg" width="154" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">More than one-third of U.S. adults and approximately
17% of children and adolescents are obese (a body mass index over 30). Employers
must act now to mitigate the cause for overwhelming health care costs and loss
of productivity associated with obesity. Employers can play a key role in
improving the health and well-being of their workforce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nbch.org/nbch/files/ccLibraryFiles/Filename/000000003817/NBCH_AB_Obesity%202015.pdf" target="_blank">Read the full Action Brief by clicking on this link.</a></span></div>
<br />NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-26963844714040479552015-06-25T20:06:00.001-04:002015-06-25T20:06:53.776-04:00King v Burwell RulingToday the Supreme Court ruled (6-3) that the federal health insurance subsidies shall remain available to individuals in the 37 states using <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/">www.healthcare.gov</a>. This decision means that the major coverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act will proceed as planned. <div>
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Here are links to recent headlines and resources on the topic:</div>
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<li>CommonWealth Fund Blog: <a href="http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/blog/2015/jun/coverage-and-financial-security-preserved">Coverage and Financial Security Preserved for Millions of Americans in the Supreme Court Ruling for the Government</a></li>
<li><i>Wall Street Journal</i> Blog by Drew Altmann: <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/06/25/after-king-v-burwell-ruling-health-law-issues-involve-implementation/?utm_campaign=KFF%3A+Drew%27s+Columns&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=19377685&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_EJ-zSrVostKJcqon-M1k_wrps8Q_W6s6J00l64n2FB9qYWcz9a3Yl3T8W3Lw6BJZN54BGE8VeSHoo6_cveOpCZOAG_A&_hsmi=19377685">After King v Burwell Ruling, Health Law Issues Involve Implementation</a></li>
<li><i>Modern Healthcare</i>: <a href="http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20150624/NEWS/150629937?utm_source=modernhealthcare&utm_medium=email&utm_content=externalURL&utm_campaign=am">Guide to King v. Burwell</a></li>
<li>Reuters: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/25/us-usa-court-healthcare-idUSKBN0P51V220150625">Supreme Court upholds key Obamacare insurance subsidies</a></li>
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-66520412529656637852015-06-17T11:43:00.000-04:002015-06-17T11:43:45.503-04:00NBCH Launches National Risk Solution Purchasing Program<div>
<i>First initiatives focus on significant costs drivers: pharmacy benefits and<br /> musculoskeletal management</i><br /> <br />WASHINGTON – June 17, 2015 – After payroll, health care benefits are the largest cost for most industries and coupled with the pending excise tax and current reform landscape, it’s more critical than ever for employers to focus on value-based benefits programs to achieve better health at lower costs. To help employers accomplish this, the non-profit <a href="http://www.nbch.org/">National Business Coalition on Health</a> (NBCH) is launching two risk solution programs focusing on pharmacy benefits and musculoskeletal management.</div>
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“We’ve focused on two areas that make up a significant share of health care costs,” said Charles Smithers, Interim CEO for NBCH. “By circumventing conventional purchasing/delivery arrangements and focusing on some of the most corrosive aspects of health care costs, we believe we can help employers recover much of this excess, with better health outcomes.”</div>
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A partnership has been established with <a href="http://www.ecrxpbm.com/">National Employers' Choice Rx</a>. Structured differently than most PBMs, National Employers' Choice Rx is focused on reducing hidden fees, uses an evidence-based formulary based on independent studies, and offers a narrow pharmacy network. In addition to higher quality, a savings of 15-25% with a health care spend reduction of 2-3% is estimated when compared to conventional PBMs.</div>
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“We’re committed to this product and the transparency it produces,” said Mike Evans, Director of Benefits at OK Foods Inc. and current National Employers’ Choice Rx client. “There is absolutely no other pharmacy benefit program that can compare in quality and cost savings to employers.”</div>
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The second program is with <a href="http://www.imcpt.com/">Integrated Mechanical Care</a>, a musculoskeletal management group that uses evidence, analytics, and proprietary guidelines to resolve orthopedic conditions, minimize lost work time, and reduce pain and disability recurrence rates by more than 80%. IMC’s program offers enhanced health outcomes in half the recovery time, with guaranteed savings of at least 25%. Since orthopedic conditions are typically 10% to 20% of the total health spend, employers can realize benefit plan savings of 2.5% to 10%.</div>
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These services are available for employers through NBCH’s regional coalition members. NBCH plans to extend these risk solution services to other areas including cardiometabolic care, infusion, dialysis, advanced imaging, ambulatory surgery, large claims audit, high performance networks, and centers of excellence. For additional information or to participate in one of these programs, please contact Sara Hanlon, Vice President, Risk Solutions for NBCH, via email, shanlon@nbch.org.</div>
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"While it’s often said that health care is local, purchasers can benefit from national approaches that are value-driven with high expertise,” said Sara Hanlon. “These services can produce better health outcomes and reduce costs significantly, disrupting conventionally excessive care and cost. The real message to purchasers and health care professionals is that there are alternatives that can let purchasers recover the unnecessary costs they have assumed could not be challenged.”</div>
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<b>About National Business Coalition on Health</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.nbch.org/">National Business Coalition on Health</a> (NBCH) is a national nonprofit membership organization of purchaser-led health care coalitions, representing more than 7,500 employers, unions and local governments, and approximately 35 million employees and dependents across the United States. NBCH and its members are dedicated to value-based purchasing of health care services through the collective action of public and private purchasers. NBCH seeks to accelerate the nation’s progress toward safe, efficient, high-quality health care and the improved health status of the American population. <a href="http://www.nbch.org/">www.nbch.org</a></div>
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-45177064574120412502015-06-17T11:39:00.000-04:002015-06-17T11:39:20.664-04:00NBCH Elects New Board OfficersNBCH announced its slate of new officers for the Board of Governors. Officers are elected by their board peers based on proven leadership and commitment to NBCH, as well as their efforts to advance and strengthen value-based purchasing strategies.<div>
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Additionally, Charles Smithers, COO for NBCH, was named Interim CEO.</div>
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Elected executive committee members include: Chair Karen van Caulil, Florida Health Care Coalition; Vice Chair, Gaye Fortner, HealthCare 21 Business Coalition; Secretary-Treasurer, Marianne Fazen, Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health; and Representatives Larry Boress, Midwest Business Group on Health, and Anne Ladd, Wyoming Business Coalition on Health.</div>
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At-Large Representatives newly elected to the NBCH Board of Governors include: Jessica Brooks, Pittsburgh Business Group on Health, and Neil Goldfarb, Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health. Current At-Large Board member Laurel Pickering, Northeast Business Group on Health was re-elected to serve a second term. Cheryl DeMars, The Alliance; Beverly Rossmiller, Tri-State Health Care Coalition; Cheryl Tolbert, Louisiana Business Group on Health; and Christie Travis, Memphis Business Group on Health, will continue their board terms.</div>
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“As health care purchasers continue to look for ways to impact the quality and cost of care, NBCH and its member coalitions are playing an increasingly vital role in providing tools and education,” said Karen van Caulil, PhD, President and CEO of the Florida Health Care Coalition. “I look forward to working with my colleagues from across the country to move this agenda forward and also welcome Chuck to his new role of Interim CEO. We appreciate his willingness to assist in NBCH’s transition to new leadership.”</div>
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-50091169026537727012015-06-09T20:39:00.001-04:002015-06-09T20:39:03.150-04:00Midwest Business Group on Health Releases Annual Employer Survey on Specialty Pharmacy<div>
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Today the Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH) released the results of its fourth annual survey on specialty drug management finding employers are considering unconventional strategies to manage double-digit cost increases while shifting more cost to employees.<div>
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Although the vast majority of employers (88%) still rely on traditional plan designs (co-pays and coinsurance), many are ready to focus on new and novel approaches to managing specialty drugs costs.</div>
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Survey results indicate a significant number of employers (68%) are considering using a narrow network to manage patients, while less than 10% offer one. In addition, with 16% carving out their specialty drug benefit, 63% are considering moving towards this strategy. The biggest trend, however, is cost shifting. Over half of employers are considering shifting more costs to employees with 18% already doing so. In addition, 43% of the employers who shifted costs over the last three years, increased them by 50% in 2014.</div>
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Additional findings are included in the news release and supporting slides which can be found on <a href="http://www.mbgh.org/Go.aspx?MicrositeGroupTypeRouteDesignKey=93205d22-134e-4fca-be1b-dfa509b7b11e&NavigationKey=65db7fb8-ea1b-4d4f-ae2b-3f7c96be39b3">MBGH’s website</a>.<br /></div>
NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-49587719683896245902015-06-09T20:21:00.001-04:002015-06-09T20:21:13.343-04:00PopHealth Week Radio Podcast LaunchedLast month Gregg Masters (@2healthguru), Fred Goldstein (<a href="https://accountablehealth.wordpress.com/mentions/fsgoldstein/">@fsgoldstein</a>), and Doug Goldstein (@eFuturist) launched <i>PopHealth Week</i>, a weekly radio podcast focused on all things population health.<br /><br />Broadcast each Wednesday at 12 p.m. Eastern the show features people, topics, news and analysis, presents the broad spectrum of what is and is not population health and how it fits into the changing health and health care landscape.<br /><br />The website is <a href="http://www.pophealthweek.com/">www.pophealthweek.com</a>.<br /><div>
<img height="91" src="https://accountablehealth.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/pophealthweek-logo-200.jpg" width="320" /></div>
NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-68958556343063572122015-06-02T12:05:00.003-04:002015-06-02T12:05:45.560-04:00WSJ: More Health-Care Insurers Seek Big Premium Increases<div>
On Monday the <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Chronicle SSm', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px;">Obama administration published more information about hefty premium increases for 2016 sought by large insurers selling plans under the health law.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Chronicle SSm, serif;"><span style="line-height: 28px;">An article in the <i>Wall Street </i></span></span><i>Journal </i>by Louise Radnofsky and Stephanie Armour reported major carriers from around the country are proposing big increases <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Chronicle SSm', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px;">in the premium rates paid by consumers who buy insurance policies on their own.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Chronicle SSm', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px;">Noted in the article which can be found <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/more-health-care-insurers-seek-big-premium-increases-1433206078" target="_blank">here</a>: </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Chronicle SSm', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px;">Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is looking to raise rates by averages of 29% or more. In Pennsylvania, Highmark Health Insurance Co. is asking for 30%, according to proposals submitted by insurers for the year ahead. Around the country, some of the main market leaders are looking for double digit increases.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Chronicle SSm', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px;">The new requests for premiums come at a time when the political and legal future of the law hangs in the balance. The Supreme Court is set to issue a decision later this month on the validity of the law’s tax credits to offset the cost of premiums for lower-income consumers in most states in the country.</span> </blockquote>
NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-77910217930966971792015-05-27T14:24:00.001-04:002015-05-27T14:24:06.977-04:00The Commonwealth Fund: The Problem of Underinsured, Rising Deductibles Make It WorseA new report from The Commonwealth Fund was issued last week finding that 31 million people with health coverage in the United States were underinsured in 2014.<div>
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The share of working-age adults who had health insurance all year but were underinsured was statistically unchanged since 2010, after nearly doubling, from 12 percent to 22 percent, between 2003 and 2010. People are considered underinsured if they have had health insurance for a full year, but have high deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses relative to their income.<br /><br />The study, <a href="http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2015/may/problem-of-underinsurance">The Problem of Underinsurance and How Rising Deductibles Will Make It Worse</a>, is based on The Commonwealth Fund’s Biennial Health Insurance survey, which interviewed people 19-64 years old between July and December 2014. It could not separately assess the effects of the Affordable Care Act on underinsurance because people insured all year in the survey had coverage that began prior to the law’s major insurance expansions going into effect.</div>
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The rate of growth in medical costs and insurance premiums has slowed in recent years. However, millions of consumers continue to be saddled with high out-of-pocket health care costs. While the number of underinsured people in the United States held constant in 2014, the steady growth in the proliferation and size of deductibles threatens to increase underinsurance in the years ahead.</blockquote>
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The Affordable Care Act’s coverage expansions and protections have greatly improved the quality of insurance coverage available to people who lack job-based health benefits. In addition, cost-sharing subsidies significantly reduce deductibles for people with low incomes who buy plans in the marketplaces. But those subsidies phase out quickly, leaving families with deductibles that may be high relative to their incomes. In addition, the law has only limited ability to improve the cost protection of employer plans, which is the source of most American’s health insurance. </blockquote>
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Reforms and new approaches are needed to improve the cost protection of health plans. These could include innovations in benefit design that slow growth in deductibles and emphasize incentives that encourage people to utilize, rather than delay, timely health care. In addition, policymakers should identify and address holes in health plans—like out-of-network physicians in in-network hospitals—which are surprising many families with unexpected costs. Finally, systemwide efforts to lower the underlying rate of medical cost growth and share those savings with consumers will be critical.y had coverage that began prior to the law’s major insurance expansions going into effect.</blockquote>
NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-78886543912044707702015-05-27T14:13:00.002-04:002015-05-27T14:13:46.178-04:00Improving Care for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common chronic condition that adversely affects many adults within the working age population, and can be caused or exacerbated by exposure to harmful workplace lung irritants and other environmental factors. These issues may contribute to high insurance costs, lower productivity and increased absenteeism, however, awareness about the risks of COPD is low among patients and employers. <div>
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The National Business Coalition on Health’s (NBCH) Improving Care for COPD Patients grant program, funded by the COPD Foundation, allowed NBCH employer coalition members to educate employers about the clinical and cost impact of COPD and to design interventions to identify and address COPD within their populations. </div>
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This <a href="http://www.nbch.org/nbch/files/ccLibraryFiles/Filename/000000003769/COPDGrantsFinalReport-20150526.pdf">final report</a> summarizing the grantee coalition projects is now available, offering recommendations to help make COPD care improvement a broadly achievable goal for other employer coalition markets.</div>
NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-70763206520215818052015-05-15T18:13:00.001-04:002015-05-15T18:13:19.259-04:00ACA Compliance: A Blueprint from EmployersADP, a global provider of human capital management solutions, has developed a useful guide for employers, providing a clear explanation of the ACA's employer compliance requirements, with specific instructions on how to avoid penalties.<br /><br />The brief offers actionable, practical advice and spells out how employers can adopt strategies to make well-informed decisions. By understanding their available options, employers can not only do right by their employees and save money, but also achieve full compliance with the law.<br /><br />Information covered includes:<br /><ul>
<li>Avoiding the “Catastrophic Tax”</li>
<li>Avoiding the “Lesser Tax”</li>
<li>Conducting an Excise Tax Liability Analysis</li>
<li>Documenting the Offer of Coverage</li>
<li>Doing Due Diligence on Non-Calendar Year Plan</li>
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<a href="http://www.adp.com/solutions/large-business/insights/insights-detail.aspx?id=6D786EC8-B887-4957-A7D4-FBFD7E89891F#acForm">Download the full report here.</a></div>
NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6140817977502136743.post-87729654451894522022015-05-07T23:16:00.000-04:002015-05-07T23:15:00.971-04:00Pare and Klepper Commentary -- Specialty drugs: What good is a treatment if it's out of reach? A commentary by Carolyn Pare, president and CEO of the Minnesota Health Action Group, and Brian Klepper, CEO of the National Business Coalition on Health, was published on Tuesday in the <i>Star Tribune</i>.<br />
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The article can be accessed <a href="http://www.startribune.com/specialty-drugs-what-good-is-a-treatment-if-it-s-out-of-reach/302676171/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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A breakthrough is defined as a sudden, dramatic and important discovery or development. It’s hard to dispute that medical breakthroughs have changed the course of life as we know it. But what good are these breakthroughs if the people who need them can’t afford them? Such is the case with prescription drugs and, in particular, specialty pharmacy.</blockquote>
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In the coming years, drug manufacturers will unleash an unprecedented raft of new drugs into the marketplace; some will improve the treatment of common medical problems like high cholesterol and diabetes, while others (those referred to as “specialty” drugs) will be used to treat complex conditions like multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C and cancer. The good news: These “precision therapies” provide new and, in some cases, better treatment options. The bad news: The price tag for such prescription drugs in the U.S. is breathtaking — even scandalous.</blockquote>
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Drug companies argue that new products are harder to develop and manufacture, which justifies the additional cost. But U.S. pricing is often three to 10 times that in other developed nations. Is that really acceptable?</blockquote>
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Human-resource and benefits leaders from 17 companies who are members of the Minnesota Health Action Group are mobilizing around the specialty-drug-pricing issue by joining a Specialty Pharmacy Care Delivery Learning Network sponsored and led by the Action Group. The goal is to effect market-based change in an informed, united way so Minnesotans can receive the right therapies, in the right place, at the right price and at the right time.</blockquote>
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Why should employers care about specialty pharmacy and, furthermore, why should they give their precious time to help drive change? Quite simply, because if they don’t, they will eventually end up paying the price. Don’t believe us? Consider the following:</blockquote>
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• The hepatitis C drug Sovaldi made headlines last year when a course of treatment was pegged at $84,000 in the United States, crushing previous cost and use records. The same drug is priced at $900 in Egypt and $51,000 in France.</blockquote>
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• U.S. costs for a powerful new cholesterol management drug, PCSK9, are expected to be $7,000 to $12,000 per patient per year, compared with about $1,000 on average for conventional drug therapies. Given the number of patients who might benefit, the market for this one drug could easily reach $100 billion per year, or about 1/33 of what we currently spend on all U.S. health care. All this for a maintenance drug that comes with annual lifelong, recurring costs.</blockquote>
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• By 2018, the cost for hundreds of specialty drugs that are flooding the pipeline is expected to account for more than half of the total U.S. drug spend, up from 25 percent in 2006. Spending on this category is growing almost 20 times as fast as non-specialty-drug spending.</blockquote>
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Unless something changes, in a few years, we’ll spend more on specialty than nobrian-specialty drugs or, for that matter, on doctors. The likelihood that this trend could financially overwhelm health care purchasers is real.</blockquote>
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It’s hard to know how employers and unions will cope with the new pricing. Purchasers should consider a couple of key questions. First, what new measurable value will each new drug bring? This is hardly cynical; one recent study found that cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the past decade lengthened life by only 2.1 months, on average. Courses of many of these drugs cost more than $100,000. As consumers, we want to know what tangible value we can expect from a purchase. But in health care, that value has proved elusive.<br />
Second, what is the pricing tied to? What makes it more expensive to buy these drugs in the U.S.? Why, exactly, is Gilenya, a multiple-sclerosis drug, almost six times as costly here as it is in Spain?</blockquote>
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The battle over specialty-drug pricing could come down to a standoff between drug manufacturers and purchasers. In the past, drug companies have had reason to believe employers and unions were too preoccupied with other matters to take action against specialty-drug costs.</blockquote>
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Minnesota Health Action Group members are here to say “enough is enough.” All Minnesota employers should get informed on this issue and join us as we strive to hold drug manufacturers and sellers accountable for rational pricing practices. It’s time, yet again, for business to lead the way in health care innovation.</blockquote>
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Benefits managers and financial officers from employers, unions and governmental agencies have been watching their specialty-drug spend and calculating. It’s possible that excessive specialty-drug costs could capsize their benefit plans, making it untenable to maintain good health coverage without severely compromising other important benefits. Just as worrisome, these costs will exacerbate their health care cost burden and cannibalize profits.</blockquote>
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Is it possible that, in manufacturers’ zeal for ever-greater profits, specialty-drug pricing could be the straw that breaks the tolerance of the nation’s health care purchasers for excessive health care pricing? If so, maybe health care will finally change.</blockquote>
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NBCHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085034528648518102noreply@blogger.com0