money flow

Deschutes County Audit Could Result in Medicaid Payback

An audit conducted by Accountable Behavioral Health Alliance revealed errors in patient records by Deschutes County Health Services
April 9, 2012—An August 2011 audit performed by Accountable Behavioral Health Alliance on Deschutes County Health Services is showing how difficult it is for some organizations to meet the requirements and provide the type of care expected of coordinated care organizations (CCOs). Read More >>

OHSU’s Operating Income is $9 Million Over Budget Projections

But, at the same time, revenue decreased by $4 million from last fiscal year
April 4, 2012 -- Oregon Health & Science University reported $36 million in operating income at last month's board meeting – $9 million more than anticipated since its fiscal year began last July.   Read More >>

Oregon's HealthCare CO-OP Receives $57 Million in Federal Startup Funds

The nonprofit is the second Oregon-based insurer to receive federal startup assistance – making Oregon the only state so far with two approved co-ops
April 3, 2012 – With support from the federal government, a second consumer owned and operated health plan is on its way to becoming a reality in Oregon and could begin enrolling members by January 2014.   Read More >>

Insurance Division Approves 2.2 Percent Rate Increase for Providence

That rate hike will impact small employers starting August 1 who have about 30,000 employees
April 2, 2012 -- Small employers who have coverage through Providence Health Plans will see their rates climb, on average, by 2.2 percent starting August 1. The rate hike will impact about 30,000 people over nine months, and range between 1.88 and 5.4 percent.   Read More >>

Regence BlueCross BlueShield Takes the Lead in Campaign Contributions

Of the $816,624 Regence spent on elections in Oregon over the past years, the majority went to state and local political candidates
March 22, 2012 -- Health insurers, like any other business in Oregon, are allowed to give an unlimited amount of money to state and local political campaigns, ballot and bond measures. Only three other states have such liberal laws – Missouri, Utah and Virginia. Read More >>

No Need for Provider Tax on Developmental Disability Programs

The Legislature restored funding to these programs, erasing concern about a 4 percent cut
March 21, 2012—People who provide services to the developmentally disabled were willing to pay a provider tax out of their own pockets in order to receive federal matching dollars, but such a tax ended up being unnecessary. Read More >>

Health Plans Shift Pharmacy Costs onto Vulnerable Patients

People with chronic diseases often have no choice but to begin paying hundreds more per month
March 19, 2012 – Industry insiders and patients are raising alarm about what they’re calling an insidious trend in the price of life-saving pharmaceuticals by insurance companies, which began shifting, they say, an unprecedented burden of drug costs onto people with chronic diseases. Read More >>

Legislators Tap Tobacco Prevention Account to Fill Budget Gaps

Advocates wonder if legislators consider tobacco prevention merely lip service
March 15, 2012 -- Facing budget cuts, legislators reduced the amount of money going toward tobacco education and prevention before they adjourned, which set a dangerous precedent, according to advocates. Read More >>

Health Insurers Premera, Regence Report Gains in Surplus Cash

Two of the state's three largest health insurers report gains in their surpluses, just as Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler continues to argue that the funds those nonprofits have amassed go far beyond what might be needed
March 12, 2012 -- Two of Washington's three largest health insurers
reported gains in surplus cash in their annual reports to the state
insurance commissioner, whose bid for authority to consider company
surpluses before approving rate increases died in this year's
Legislature. Read More >>

Nutrition Program for Seniors Goes Without Additional Funding

Demand for the program doubles the number of food vouchers available
March 7, 2012—The recently resolved $300 million deficit in Oregon’s budget meant tough cuts. But the ongoing recession means an ongoing need for funding social programs. One of the programs that fell between those proverbial rock and hard spots this legislative session was the Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program, which helps low-income seniors purchase fresh fruit and vegetables. Read More >>
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