The periphery of the trade show floor at RIMS is where you’ll find innovators – new companies, with new ideas and concepts, new solutions to old problems, all described by their owners, founders, and top execs. To give credit where credit is due, this isn’t my observation but rather one made by friend and colleague Peter Rousmaniere.
The choice spots on the exhibit floor are occupied by the seniority; RIMS assigns spots according to how many years an exhibitor has been attending, These spots are taken up by the big carriers, brokers, software suppliers, and managed care firms. Not a lot in terms of innovation here, although there are a couple of interesting new solutions to old problems.
Medata’s at RIMS with a new booth, new team, and renewed commitment to customer service. Long hampered by a (to be generous) lackadaisical approach to customer service, Medata is back, looking to take advantage of the turmoil in the market created by Coventry’s aggressive push to consolidate share; ACS’ acquisition of CompIQ; and the sale of FairIsaac’s bill review unit to Mitchell Medical.
Coventry is promoting a medical triage/first notice/network direction product that they’ve been working on for over a year. Early indications are the service can help reduce frequency – significantly. Kudos to the 900 pound gorilla; although the product looks a lot like Medcor’s version (which was developed earlier) at worst it shows Coventry knows a good thing when it sees it.
Medcor’s service combines the best of nurse triage, first notice and provider network direction, reducing the number of calls the payer (or its designees) need to make and the calls the injured worker needs to answer.
Datacare has a unique data aggregation platform, enabling payers to capture and integrate all documents in one location and automate links between UR and bill review – an all-too-often ignored but nonetheless critical part of the medical management process.
Paradigm has been in business for 15+ years, but this is the first year they’ve exhibited at RIMS. The company’s newest offering is a chronic pain program, which has shown strong results after a five-year development effort.
More tomorrow after my feet recover.
Apr
28
