money flow

Member Insists OEBB Overpays for Prescription Drugs

Its policy of mandating that only mail order companies can provide a 90-day supply of drugs is increasing insurance costs, she says
October 30, 2012 -- Tamara Weaver questions why the Oregon Educators Benefit Board (OEBB) is paying more for prescription drugs through its mail order company than at Costco, her local retail pharmacy. OEBB is responsible for selecting the health plans for the majority of Oregon’s public school teachers, community colleges and state universities. Read More >>

Regence/Cambia Investment Spending on IT Tops $400M

Despite heavy investment, Cambia slammed for IT errors, including withdrawals from non-members' bank accounts
October 25, 2012 -- It seemed like a good idea at the time. With healthcare costs rising, insurance plans from across the Northwest thought they might be able to save money by sharing resources. By 1997, Oregon’s BlueCross BlueShield had merged with BlueShield of Washington and other “Blues” plans from Utah and Idaho to become The Regence Group. Headquartered in downtown Portland, soon the new company had set its tech team to work at integrating its multiple lines of business. Read More >>

National and State-By-State Impact of the 2012 House Republican Budget Plan for Medicaid

October 25, 2012 -- This analysis of the House Budget Plan that was passed in 2012 finds that repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and converting Medicaid to a block grant would trigger significant decreases in federal Medicaid spending and could result in substantial reductions in enrollment and payments to providers compared to current projections. Read More >>

On The Move Program Raises Its Head Again

State officials intend to re-start this federally-funded program but insist they’re moving cautiously and deliberately to avoid running into the same problems as before
October 24, 2012 -- A federally-funded program that was shut down following an investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice is about to re-emerge once again. Read More >>

Tuality Hospital Isn’t Being Sold to Providence

But its CEO and president is concerned about Kaiser Permanente wooing away his employees once its new hospital opens in Hillsboro next year
October 3, 2012 -- Despite signing an exclusive letter of intent to affiliate with Providence Health & Services, Tuality Hospital is not for sale. Read More >>

The pulse of Kruse's donors

State senator accepts health care cash for Nov.
Republished courtesy of The World (Coos Bay) September 29, 2012 -- Democrat Eldon Rollins is blasting his incumbent rival for accepting donations from the pharmaceutical lobby. Jeff Kruse (R-Roseburg) has accepted $22,000 from health care companies and advocacy groups in the lead-up to this year's election. Election records show that pharmaceutical companies have been consistent backers during his political career. Read More >>

Hospitals grab at least $1 billion in extra fees for emergency room visits

Center probe suggests facilities have taken advantage of government’s failure to set billing standards
Sept. 20, 2012 -- Judging by their bills, it would appear that elderly patients treated in the emergency room at Baylor Medical Center in Irving, Texas, are among the sickest in the country — far sicker than patients at most other hospitals. Read More >>

OHSU Reports $80 Million in Operating Income

Last week's unaudited financial report puts the university $23 million over budget, partly due to a $9 million settlement from the IRS
September 18, 2012 -- Budget projections for fiscal year 2012 at Oregon Health & Science University called for maintaining earnings at $57 million – and so far the institution has exceeded that goal, according to a financial report presented to its board of directors last week. Read More >>

Regence BlueCross BlueShield Wants to Raise Rates for Small Businesses

However, the insurer has toned down its request after realizing that its medical and pharmaceutical costs did not take as huge an increase as anticipated
September 13, 2012 -- Regence BlueCross BlueShield is at it again – this time asking for a 4.3 percent average rate increase for small employers that, if approved, would take effect in January. Read More >>

Neighbors and Providers Fight Closure of Providence Therapy Pool

The hospital says the pool will be too expensive to repair – but some say the hospital will get more money by replacing it with a day surgery center
September 6, 2012 -- Nine years ago, Sue Moen retired early from her job as an elementary school teacher. She'd been diagnosed with a rare, degenerative neuromuscular condition, and couldn't be on her feet all day anymore. Read More >>
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