Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
Peter Rousmaniere’s column this month in Risk and Insurance addresses the dirty not-really-secret practice of TPAs getting kickbacks from their managed care ‘partners. This unseemly practice has been going on for years; perhaps the most notable example is the Broward … Continue reading TPA self dealing
Read More...After spending the last part of last week and the better part of this one preparing for two major presentations on ‘US health care 2009’ (both requiring predictions about health reform efforts and results thereof) I’ve been anxious to get … Continue reading What’s up in work comp?
Read More...There’s an obvious connection between hurricanes and work comp – people get hurt while working, injuries that are covered by workers compensation. But there’s a less visible, but nonetheless significant link between big weather events and comp. Capital is mobile; … Continue reading Gustav and workers comp
Read More...A few weeks ago I wrote about the big profits hospitals get from workers comp, and closed with the observation that comp payers are overpaying hospitals. The question is why? Glad you asked. Since OUCH (predecessor organization to First Health, … Continue reading Comp networks and hospital costs
Read More...I think I’ve figured out why analysts have been unable to accurately forecast health plan financials – they don’t know what questions to ask. That’s the only conclusion I can draw after listening to the latest earnings call from Coventry … Continue reading Coventry earnings call – the analysts blew it
Read More...It is Friday the 13th. That legendary day of mythical fears, the bane of the superstitious, the day of bad luck and portentous omens. A fitting day indeed to tell an all-too-real horror story. We’ll begin with the dry, dull, … Continue reading It’s time to regain control
Read More...Friend and colleague Peter Rousmaniere recently attended the NCCI conference and was kind enough to provide a comprehensive report. Here it is, and thank Peter when you see him.
Read More...I had a chance to spend more time with the Medcor folks this morning at RIMS, and liked what I saw. They’ve been doing the combo first report of injury (or most of it)/nurse triage/network direction work for ten years … Continue reading Medcor’s value
Read More...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 … Continue reading Where innovation can be found
Read More...Because they can. Brand drug prices went up yet again last year, by over 7%. This on the heels of a similar price increase in 2006, which ‘coincidentally’ occurred after Part D went into effect and millions of seniors suddenly … Continue reading Why drug costs are going up.
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