May 2017 Volume 19 Issue 5
Providing Current Information on

Health Insurance Industry Issues and Legislation

the AHCA- will It Impact Employers Big time
If it becomes a law, the American Health Care Act passed by the House of
Representatives will have major implications for employers big and small. It will
eliminate the mandatory coverage rules, set postpone implementation of the
Cadillac tax, change essential benefits impact treatment of HSAs and more.
Blockchain – Bitcoin technology for Healthcare
Blockchain, the technology that began with Bitcoin, has the potential to save
money, and increase transparency for healthcare patients, payers and providers.
Blockchain promises to provide safe, interoperable sharing of data between
providers, payers and patients in real time eliminating middle men and speeding
payments to providers.
Hospital- Based Primary Care Clinics – Driving Up Costs with Unnecessary Care
Patients with back pain, headaches, and upper respiratory infections receiving care at
hospital-based primary care clinics are more likely to undergo unnecessary tests and
receive unneeded services than those treated at community based clinics. The added
costs for payers are huge.
Big PhRMA Gears Up to Block Drug Imports
Prescription drugs can cost three times as much in the U.S. as in Canada. A bill has
been introduced in the Senate to allow importation of prescription drugs from
Canada. The Partnership for Sage Medicine, a non-profit organization whit deep
ties to the pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), is
spearheading a massive campaign against the bill and against allowing foreing
drug imports.
THREE STAR PREFERRED PROVIDER PROGRAM ADDITIONS
Minjoo Oh
Dublin, CA 94568

Robert Seiler
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309

Sun Behavioral Houston
Houston, TX 77054

System Optics, Inc.
Tallmadge, OH 44278
UCERA
Honolulu, HI 96813

Wetzel County Hospital
New Martinsville, WV 26155

Women First
Wilmington, DE 19850