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December 12, 2007 America's Health Insurance Plans   Industry News    Top medical advances of 2007 TIME magazine offered the top 10 medical breakthroughs of 2007, with male circumcision as a preventive measure for HIV at No. 1 on the list. Other advances highlighted include the GeneSearch BLN Assay test for metastatic breast cancer, the first human bird flu vaccine and the Alli weight-loss drug. TIME (12/11) Survey: Medicare enrollees satisfied with drug benefit plans Almost 90% of U.S. seniors enrolled in the Medicare drug benefit plan say they are satisfied, with most reporting that their plans are easy to use and that they have saved money on prescription drugs, a new survey found. More than 70% of enrollees said they aren't likely to change their plans in 2008. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/12) MEDecision provides software, services and clinical content that allows for increased administrative efficiency and improved quality and affordability of healthcare. A provider of Collaborative Care Management, MEDecision's technologies analyze data, automate workflow processes and electronically connect patients, payers and providers to give each a common view of a patient's health, fostering better clinical decision making.   Providers & Suppliers    Report: Medicare home-based program has mixed results Experts are calling for an analysis of how Medicare pays for the care of U.S. adults after a report indicated a home-based senior care program had limited success. One of the report's authors said the program helped stabilize medical care for participants but did not prevent decline or change physical function. Forbes/HealthDay News (12/11) Program distributes pedometers, encourages exercise West Virginia's chapter of America on the Move has implemented a pedometer program in an effort to promote exercise. The program distributed 902 step-counting charts and pedometers to residents of five counties who signed up, and the second phase will focus on increasing the physical activity of rural residents with severe health problems. Yahoo!/Associated Press (12/11)   Medical Update    Study reveals inconsistencies in reading diagnostic mammograms A U.S. study found that radiologists failed to detect 21% of breast cancers in diagnostic mammograms and also found a variation in false-positive results. Women should go to diagnostic centers with breast-imaging experts, a researcher said. Reuters (12/11) C-sections may increase risk of breathing difficulties in newborns Babies delivered by nonemergency Caesarean sections were four times more likely to have breathing difficulties when delivered at 37 weeks, three times more likely at 38 weeks and twice as likely at 39 weeks, a study found. Researchers say physiological and hormonal changes during labor could explain the results. Yahoo!/Reuters (12/11) Risk factors predict candidates for total hip replacement People who are at least 60 years old and experiencing morning stiffness, decreased ability to extend the hip and specific pains are at risk for progressive hip osteoarthritis and total hip replacement, a new study revealed. Yahoo!/Reuters (12/11) Can Boomers save health care? Read the new "gray" paper. A surge of Baby Boomers is heading straight for American health care. For better or worse depends on whether they are equipped to master their complex health issues. Find out how Boomers can help save health care through health mastery. Download the complimentary "gray" paper from Healthwise.   Emerging Trends    Study: RHIOs falling short on promise A new study shows that of 145 RHIOs getting under way nationwide in recent years, only 20 are achieving modest success, while only 15 are operating well for patients. The lead researcher said the results pointed to a need to invest more heavily in the health information exchanges. Government Health IT magazine (12/2007) With the nation's largest pharmacy services network, Mirixa delivers the resources you need to execute targeted member medication and formulary management programs at the point of pharmacy - quickly, and directly. Reach thousands of pre-qualified members weekly, and generate truly powerful results. Mirixa. The Power of Pharmacy.   Company News from PR Newswire    IBC Study: Generic Prescription Drugs Show Increasingly Greater Use in Southeastern Pennsylvania Kaiser Permanente Teams with Yale University to Launch Weight Bias Tool Kit for Health Care Providers National Business Coalition on Health Releases 2008 eValue8(TM) RFI 400+ Physicians to Share Patient Data: ICW Selected by Torrance Hospital IPA as eHealth Solutions Provider   Other Company News from AHIP Solutions    Overwhelming Majority of Michigan Residents Favors Individual Health Insurance Market Reforms Supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Network Health Awards Contract to HMS for Coordination of Benefits Lexington Insurance Company Announces New Human & Social Services Risk Solutions(SM) Industry Practice Lighthouse1 Announces Best of Breed HSA Platform January 1, 2008 California Rx Card Saves Californians Thousands in Annual Prescription Costs Healthcare Self-Management Easier With GPA's Improved HealthWatch(SM)Solutions Get expert coverage of critical health care policy developments. CQ HealthBeat offers twice-daily e-mail briefings and a robust Web site that tracks legislation, provides breaking news and includes a schedule of important events. Understand how Washington decision making affects your business. Visit CQ HealthBeat to request a complimentary trial.   Pharma News    Study links Avandia to heart, death risks Diabetes patients who used the drug Avandia had a 30% increased risk of death, a 40% increased risk of heart attacks and a 60% increased risk of heart failure, compared to patients using other medicines, an independent analysis found. Cardiologist Dr. Steven E. Nissen says the findings could lead the FDA to take additional action, but the FDA says the recent information will not change current recommendations for the drug. NYTimes.com (12/12) FDA expert: More assurance on Mevacor's OTC bid An FDA medical reviewer on Tuesday sought assurance of adequate consumer comprehension before Merck & Co.'s 20-milligram dose of Mevacor is allowed to be sold without a prescription. Using the Mevacor studies submitted for the review, an FDA panel on Thursday is scheduled to deliberate if the drug is safe to be sold over the counter. If approved, GlaxoSmithKline PLC would market Mevacor's OTC version. The Wall Street Journal (free content) (12/12) New ICU sedative shows promise U.S. researchers suggest that sedation with Hospira's dexmedetomidine, also known as Precedex, may reduce the amount of time patients on mechanical ventilators are in delirium or coma, compared with patients on larazepam, or Ativan. A study author said that although the drug decreased the patients' mechanical ventilator use and ICU stays, more studies need to be conducted to support these findings. The Washington Post/HealthDay News (12/11) Other News Merck weight-loss, cholesterol pills under way The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/12) FDA panel recommends approval of Astellas-Cardiome heart drug Reuters (12/11) ATTENTION READERS: Wilson Health Information, LLC is offering SmartBrief readers a special rate on over 50 Customized Disease Treatment Satisfaction Reports that detail consumer insights to treatment, compliance, insurance and more. CLICK HERE to view a sample report. Send your report request to Jim Wilson or visit www.wilsonrx.com to learn more. The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) Destination EDI? Chart Your Course with Ingenix webinar. This informative, one hour session will help you find out where you are on the path to EDI and which route will help you achieve your goals. Payers can learn more from leading industry experts how to leverage clearinghouse options and direct connectivity to providers. Register today. Issue Brief! Consumers and health care providers have more in common than they may know. Both respond to a slight financial nudge to use health care resources in ways that lead to better outcomes, according to a new issue brief from IncentOne that links pay-for-performance (P4P) initiatives to the use of consumer incentives in health management programs. www.IncentOne.com/p4p. And the Winner Is.... Judges have selected the finalists for URAC's Best Practices in Consumer Empowerment and Protection Awards competition. Nation-wide competition attracted entries detailing innovative and proven programs enhancing patient safety and giving consumers more control over their health care. Early-Bird Register for the March 25-26, 2008 Event Ends Dec 31! Read about the judges and the winners! Interested in learning more about advertising in the AHIP Solutions SmartBrief? Contact Matt Kavney at (202) 737-5500 x244 or mkavney@smartbrief.com.     AHIP News  Marketing Medicare Advantage and Part D training now available The AHIP Center for Insurance Education and Professional Development's new online training program, Marketing Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Plans: Understanding Medicare Basics, Plan Options, and Marketing and Enrollment Requirements, is designed to strengthen brokers, agents and plan marketing staff's ability to provide the information beneficiaries need to make the decisions that are best for them. For more information, visit www.MedicareOnlineTraining.com. Reform is in the air AHIP Coverage magazine offers the latest news, views and trends affecting the health insurance industry. The January/February issue will explore ideas for reform, including the presidential candidates' reform proposals, how the Dutch and Swiss health systems could be models for the U.S., and why medical homes may transform primary care. To subscribe, call the AHIP Customer Solutions Center at 877-291-2247. AHM Glossary of Health Plan Terms The Academy for Healthcare Management is excited to offer its Glossary of Health Plan Terms. This comprehensive, organized reference guide is an invaluable resource for professionals working in health insurance plans today. Bulk purchasing discounts and internet licensing opportunities are available. Visit www.e-ahm.com for more information. Learn more about AHIP -> About AHIP  |  Join AHIP  |  Conferences  |  AHIP Solutions  |  Career Source   SmartQuote  There is no personal charm so great as the charm of a cheerful temperament." --Henry Van Dyke, author, educator and clergyman     Subscriber Tools       Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy Advertise Sales Account Director:  Matt Kavney 202-737-5500 x244 Download Media Kit   AHIP Solutions Team Managing Editor, Online Publishing: Doug Schulz       Recent AHIP Solutions SmartBrief Issues: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Monday, December 10, 2007 Friday, December 07, 2007 Thursday, December 06, 2007 Wednesday, December 05, 2007     Lead Editor:  Kathryn Doherty Contributing Editor:  Maureen Backman     Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005     © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do not reflect actual AHIP endorsements. 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