AllMed Healthcare Management Blog: 04/28/06
Friday, April 28, 2006
Obeisity Extremely Expensive For Employers
Obesity is responsible for 2.1 percent of all diagnosed medical claims dollars for men, and 2.8 percent for female employees, according to a study published in the March Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The study further indicated that the highest obesity-related costs, from employees and their dependents, comes from the healthcare sector, while the lowest obesity-related costs can be found in the finance and consulting sectors.
Researchers point out that the differences by business sector could have as much to do with benefit plan design as health status differences. "Medical costs are dependent on both supply and demand pressures," said Adam Long, PhD, director of Health Management Research, Gordian Health Solutions. "These business sector differences may be driven therefore as much by insurance plan design differences as health status differences." According to the study, healthcare sector members have greater access to care, while financial and consulting sector members are more educated on average, which is a predictor of lower obesity rates.
posted by Dr. Skip
NYC Making Efforts To Shut Down "Medical Mills"
http://www.insurancejournal.com/
The New York City Council is looking for ways to shut down certain fraudulent medical clinics that critics say take advantage of the state's no fault insurance system and drive up auto insurance rates.
One prominent critic, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, urged the Consumer Affairs Committee to pass Introduction Number 243A, a bill to help close the doors on medical mills and dismantle no-fault fraud organized crime enterprises.
"New York state's no-fault fraud problem is among the worst in the nation, with no-fault fraud costs reaching $1 billion per year when the problem was at its worst," maintained Kristina Baldwin, PCI regional manager and counsel.
posted by Dr. Skip
Medical Audits In Malta
The government recently said it planned to introduce medical audits within the health system, something it has had on the cards since the early 1990s.
Sadly, the immediate reaction of the Medical Association of Malta was to warn that if such a practice were introduced, doctors would not want to see difficult cases.
Clinical or medical audit, however, is nothing to do with holding big sticks over the heads of medical practitioners but everything to go with ensuring that health care is effective, efficient and credible.
posted by Dr. Skip
Jamacian Hospital Lawsuit
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/
THE FAMILY of 75-year-old Vilma McLaughlin, who died at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, St. James after she was reportedly refused a drug until it was paid for, has instructed their lawyer to begin legal proceedings against the institution.
"It's not about the money, it's the principle of the matter," her grandson, Brian Smart said. "It hurts so much to know that 'Mums' was denied a drug that could have saved her life."
posted by Dr. Skip
