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November 3, 2009 America's Health Insurance Plans     Industry News    Survey finds Americans lack understanding of diabetes An American Diabetes Association survey found many misunderstandings and myths about diabetes. Less than 60% of respondents could correctly distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and 10% mistakenly thought there is a cure for the disease. The group launched a new public awareness campaign to encourage people with the chronic disease to share their stories and fight the social stigma associated with it. Yahoo!/HealthDay News (11/2) 1 dose of H1N1 flu vaccine protects pregnant women, NIAID says Clinical trials conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases showed that one dose of the H1N1 flu vaccine is safe and can protect pregnant women against the flu, but children younger than 10 still need two doses of the vaccine given one month apart. An official from the National Vaccine Program Office also announced the formation of a panel of experts that will keep track of adverse effects reported in relation to the vaccine. The New York Times (11/2) Reduce mailroom expenses through streamlined provider and patient communications with payment and remittance distribution solutions from Emdeon. Emdeon Printing and Fulfillment offers state-of-the-art payment management and distribution technology. Learn more at www.emdeon.com or by calling 877.EMDEON.6 (877.363.3666).   Providers & Suppliers    Teletrauma system aids rural hospitals in Maine Teletrauma videoconferencing technology connects Maine's large trauma centers to its most remote community hospitals to help physicians diagnose and treat emergency department patients. The system, which costs about $5,000 for a hospital to install, can help physicians decide when a patient needs to be transferred to a larger facility, saving lives and money. Bangor Daily News (Maine) (free registration) (11/3)   OptumHealth White Paper: Best Practices for Creating Successful Wellness Programs More and more organizations are turning to wellness programs to fight rising health costs. Learn how to plan a successful wellness program using comprehensive best practices, expert advice and more. Free Download   ADVERTISEMENT   Medical Update    Deadly MRSA strain appears partly immune to treatment The USA600 strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which infects the bloodstream and is five times more lethal than other MRSA strains, appears to be partly immune to a drug used to treat it, researchers said. The study found about 50% of patients infected with the strain died within a month. HealthDay News (11/1) Study links salt, diet soda to kidney function decline Two separate studies found that the risk of kidney function decline is greater in women who consume large amounts of sodium or artificially sweetened beverages. Researchers say the findings are consistent with experimental animal data, but additional studies are needed. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/HealthDay News (free registration) (11/2) Make a real difference in health care. At a time when the nation is focused on how to get the best medical care while avoiding waste—decision aids can help your members say "no" to unneeded care. The era of the decision aid has begun. Read the new Healthwise® white paper: Carrot or Stick? Should the Use of Patient Decision Aids Be Rewarded or Required?   Emerging Trends    FDA launches Web-based guide about hearing aids The FDA has introduced an online guide that provides hearing-impaired patients with information and advice when purchasing and adjusting hearing aids. The agency's guide advises patients to consult their doctors and buy the devices from professionals, among other tips. USA TODAY (11/2) Other News ONC uses blog to spur public comments on health IT efforts Government Health IT (10/30) IBM opens health analytics center to aid providers, firms Health Data Management (11/2)   Other Company News from AHIP Solutions  Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Michigan Oncologists Launch Statewide Initiative to Create Cancer Guidelines Premera Announces "Brain-Powered Decisions" Campaign AmeriHealth: More Than 4,000 Participants "Run the Bridge" to Support Local School for the Disabled WellNet Healthcare to Acquire Four Million New Lives in Licensing Agreement with Investment Bank Cantor Fitzgerald CVS Caremark Extends Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) Contract for Retail Pharmacy and Clinical Services Medco Awarded One-Year Extension of BCBSA Federal Employees Program(R) Mail-Service and Specialty Pharmacy Benefit Management Contract Transparent Health Network Introduces Novel Plan To Provide Working Uninsured/Underinsured Access To Affordable Health Care In NY Metro Region Employers Can't Afford Not to Have Health and Productivity Programs According to IBI Data Analysis Data Advantage: Hospital Value Index Quality Award Recipients Released Health Enhancement Systems: Management Support Can Make or Break Workplace Wellness Program Molina Healthcare of California Names Richard Bock, MD as Chief Medical Officer   Pharma News  FDA decides against Lipitor-Zetia combo The FDA rejected an application to market cholesterol drugs Lipitor and Zetia as a combination treatment because of a lack of manufacturing and stability data. Merck & Co., which developed Zetia with Schering-Plough, said it is reviewing the complete-response letter "to determine a new timetable for filing." The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (11/2) FDA approves changes to Byetta label The FDA approved a revised label for diabetes drug Byetta to include reports of problems with kidney function. The decision came days after Eli Lilly and Co. and Amylin Pharmaceuticals received clearance to promote Byetta as a stand-alone treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Reuters (11/2) , The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (11/2) Study: Schering hepatitis drug induces rapid virologic response Narlaprevir, Schering-Plough's once-daily drug for hepatitis C, helped reduce the virus to an undetectable level in 85% to 87% of patients who took the pill with three other medicines. The study focused on combination treatment with ritonavir, Pegintron and ribavirin. Reuters (11/2) The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) Are you tracking your marketing campaign results accurately? Learn how campaign design, data quality, statistical validity, tracking windows, overlapping windows and data currency all impact the success of your campaigns. Six of the top seven healthcare companies chose KnowledgeBase Marketing as their marketing solutions provider. www.knowledgebasemarketing.com 866 - ASK4KBM 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  Fall Forum examines key health care reform issues From health insurance exchanges and improving quality care to and wellness and prevention and health IT, the sessions and speakers at AHIP's Fall Forum provide an opportunity to examine the most pressing issues being discussed in health care reform. Help your organization prepare for a reformed landscape by registering for the Fall Forum, Nov. 16 to 18 in Chicago. Register now. Creating an Effective ICD-10 Remediation Program Discuss why ICD-10 is a business challenge that requires a combined business and technology solution. Examine how ICD-10 remediation should be integrated with the corporate project portfolio. Learn about best practices related to developing an effective remediation program, governance structure, and PMO to support the implementation. For more information and to register, visit the virtual seminar Web site. Could your back office operations be more efficient? The TPA Direct program is comprised of AHIP member companies -- the industry's leading third-party administrators -- and offers guidance to health insurance plans and other payers and administrators interested in outsourcing. TMG Health, a TPA Direct partner, is a technology-enabled, Business Process Outsourcing services firm providing operational solutions and information systems for health plans, providers and insurers. Learn more. Learn more about AHIP -> About AHIP  |  Join AHIP  |  Conferences  |  AHIP Solutions  |  Career Source   SmartQuote  Some people are making such thorough preparation for rainy days that they aren't enjoying today's sunshine." --William Feather, publisher and author   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: Monday, November 02, 2009 Friday, October 30, 2009 Thursday, October 29, 2009 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Tuesday, October 27, 2009     Lead Editor:  Kathryn Doherty       Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005     © 1999-2009 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do not reflect actual AHIP endorsements. 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