What to do about Managed Care Matters?

Hard to believe, but it’s been six-and-a-half years that I’ve been writing, and some of you have been reading, Managed Care Matters. In that time, I’ve done over two thousand posts, accumulated 2539 subscribers, 3920 (legitimate) comments, and now average about sixteen hundred visitors a weekday.
So, where to next?
Content
No plans to change what we talk about here – heavy on the workers comp area, good coverage of national health policy and doings in the group health and Medicare markets, and I’ll keep working to explain why national, global, economic, cultural, societal, and business ‘macrofactors’ influence and affect work comp.
With the coming battle over entitlement reform, there will be much to discuss and dissect, as pro- and op-ponents of various proposals engage in hyperbolic predictions of catastrophe, rodents falling from the sky, and other signs of doom if their particular version of reform isn’t made into law. Rest assured I’ll keep this fact-based and use lots of references to support my views.
Occasionally I take some nasty shots from anonymous individuals complaining that this blog is just a way to schmooze my consulting clients, that I slant stories or pick fights solely to benefit clients.
My response is two-fold; transparency and stature. Re transparency, I ALWAYS disclose when a company or individual is a client or partner.
Re stature, I’m fortunate in that I’ve got as much work as I can handle and don’t need to work for clients I don’t like, respect, and believe in. Of course I write positively about my clients; they are all good companies doing business the right way, looking to get better.
Presentation
It’s important to refresh the look every so often, and we’ll be doing that this summer. Don’t expect laser light shows and pop-ups, but do expect a new and bolder look.
Along with that, we’re going to be starting video blogging; every week or so I plan on doing a ‘live video’ comment/report on something of interest. We’ll work to keep bandwidth requirements low so those using smartphones aren’t frustrated. Don’t know how this will turn out, but looking forward to blog-casting from the Intergalactic Headquarters of Health Strategy Associates, LLC.
Ads
My several month experiment with ads is over, mostly due to my unwillingness to change the blog’s layout to drive more click-thrus. Turns out that putting the ads in the posts themselves, or just below or to your left increases click thrus dramatically. I didn’t like the way that looked as it chopped things up and put emphasis on the ads and not the content (which I suppose is why it works better). So, they’re gone.
Comment policy
You would not believe the spam comments I get – over a hundred a day, and sometimes two hundred. We’ve tried everything to ensure your comments get thru (even ones I take issue with) while blocking spam; for now I have to review all comments before they go thru. We’ve got to change that, so look for something new soon.
As always, rants and comments disagreeing with me will not be posted unless they are backed by sources. That’s not to say I won’t post different opinions; always have and always will.
MCM ‘attitude’
Every now and then I get myself into a bit of hot water (or more) over a post, a characterization within a post, or an honest mistake. I’ll continue to retract and apologize for errors. I will also continue to opine assertively when I think the issue merits assertive opining. When I hear something that’s newsworthy, I’ll post it (after verifying thru at least two sources). And of course you can always rely on MCM to debunk stories, press releases, and flat out BS, with the tone and histrionics directly in proportion to my level of outrage.
Finally, through the blog I’ve been introduced to many great people and terrific companies. Sandy Blunt is a man I truly admire and respect; he’s now working with me on several projects and his work is exemplary. The work done by Alex Swedlow and CWCI is just outstanding, as is their commitment to shining a very bright light on issues sorely needing that attention. Similarly, NCCI publishes studies and research that add perspective and depth to our understanding of the work comp world. Maggie Mahar is a great writer and strong advocate for her positions on health policy. Jason Shafrin remains one of the best health care economists I’ve come across. Roberto Ceniceros, Peter Rousmaniere, and Julie Ferguson have much to say and manage to say it economically and in ways that often makes one stop and think.
And then there’s you, dear reader! Thanks for reading, keeping me on the straight and narrow, and letting me know when there’s something worth writing about.
Thanks for reading, and keep those comments coming.