money flow

Are Medicare's New Quality Incentives Large Enough To Change Hospital Behavior?

Sept. 4, 2012 – With Medicare poised next month to give bonuses and penalties to hospitals based on how they ranked in quality standards, a number of health policy experts are questioning whether the amounts of money at stake are large enough to make a difference.  Read More >>

Capitol Dental Care Owned by Global Investment Firm

The dental care organization provides services to nearly 200,000 people on the Oregon Health Plan
August 16, 2012 -- The for-profit world has a stronghold on Oregon’s Medicaid market when it comes to dental care. That became very evident when a global investment firm, H.I.G. Capitol, announced earlier this month that it had acquired Capitol Dental Care. Read More >>

Critics Charge Providence Rate Hike Request Based on Incomplete Data

If the 15.7 percent rate hike is approved, some people plan to drop coverage
August 8, 2012 -- Providence Health Plans has not provided sufficient justification for its proposed 15.7 percent rate increase for individual members, and the Insurance Division should not approve it until more information is known, a healthcare analyst for the OSPIRG Foundation said. Read More >>

Regence BlueCross BlueShield Provided Incorrect Information on Rate Filing

Information provided to OSPIRG and the Oregon Insurance Division showed that Regence’s administrative costs and salaries in the individual market had increased significantly, which was untrue upon further analysis
August 3, 2012 -- While advocates and rate payers await the decision by the Oregon Insurance Division on a proposed 9.6 percent increase by Regence BlueCross BlueShield that would impact about 53,000 Oregonians, a significant distortion stands out.   Read More >>

Regence Reduces Payments to Healthcare Professionals

At the same time, the insurer is requesting a 9.6 percent rate increase for people who purchase their own coverage
July 26, 2012 -- Physicians and other healthcare professionals are being hit with a rate reduction from Regence BlueCross BlueShield on October 1, while the insurer is asking the Insurance Division to approve a 9.6 percent increase for roughly 53,000 people who buy their own coverage. A public hearing on that rate request will be held next Monday at 3 p.m. in Salem.   Read More >>

Providence Health Plans Asks for 15.7 Percent Increase

The Oregon Insurance Division will hold a public hearing on the rate request on August 2
July 11, 2012 -- Providence Health Plans is seeking a 15.7 percent average increase for people who purchase their own coverage starting November 1. If approved, 12,162 Oregonians would be impacted. The actual rate increase depends upon a person’s age and whether their family members are on their insurance plan.   Read More >>

Regence Seeks Rate Hikes in Washington and Oregon in the Individual Market

A public hearing has been scheduled for 3 p.m., July 30 in Salem for the rate hike affecting nearly 53,000 Oregonians
July 6, 2012 – Regence BlueCross BlueShield is after rate hikes in both Oregon and Washington for people who purchase their own coverage. A public hearing on a rate request impacting close to 53,000 Oregonians is scheduled for 3 p.m., July 30 in Salem. If approved, that 9.6 average increase would take effect in December. Read More >>

Richmond Clinic to Become Federally Qualified Health Center

The clinic will be able to serve 4,000 more low-income people
July 6, 2012 -- Staff at the Oregon Health and Science University's Richmond Clinic has just learned that the clinic will receive a two-year, $650,000 per year grant award, enabling them to provide care to 4,000 more low-income patients and offer more than 15,000 additional visits – and build on the services to include more dental and mental healthcare.   Read More >>

Oregon Insurers Increase Their Net Income Despite Membership Losses

In the past 12 months, the seven domestic insurers in Oregon have lost nearly 25,000 members while their net income has shot up by 25 percent
July 5, 2012 -- For the second consecutive year, Oregon’s seven domestic health insurers saw a decrease in their overall net income, but still found themselves on pace to achieve financial prosperity in 2012.   Read More >>

Insurance Spat Leads to Less Rx Coverage for Some

The health reform act will require coverage of all drugs beginning in 2014, but Washington's insurance commissioner and the state's largest insurance companies are facing off over a move to eliminate drug coverage entirely under one plan.
July 3, 2012 A fight between the Washington state insurance commissioner and the state’s largest seller of individual health insurance is spotlighting problems in that increasingly troubled market. The spat arose over insurers’ efforts to curb soaring premiums by restricting or eliminating prescription drug benefits.   Read More >>
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