Author Archives: Thomas Finn
Inbound Logistics Reveals Top 100 Logistics SCM Technology Providers
An Inbound Logistics magazine survey of approximately 300 logistics and supply chain technology vendors reveals that supply chain managers have more technology tools and delivery methods at their disposal than ever before, making it vital that they select the right solution and provider for their business logistics needs. The study also identifies a new trend: companies are buying technology through their third-party logistics (3PL) providers, as well as directly from solutions vendors. The new market research shows cloud computing has opened new ways for logistics managers to deploy best-of-breed solutions. Variable cost and deployment models make initial technology investments more [...]
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MHA Acquired by Roper Industries
Managed Health Care Associates, Inc. (“MHA”), a diversified health care services and technology company focused on alternate site providers has been acquired by Roper Industries. MHA provides expertise in Group Purchasing, Managed Care and Payer Contracting, Reimbursement Management, Specialty Pharmacy Solutions, Pharmaceutical Data Analytics, Clinical Pharmacy Software and Legislative Advocacy. Roper Industries is also a well-diversified company and is a constituent of the S&P 500, Fortune 1000, and the Russell 1000 indices. Among other things, Roper provides engineered products and solutions for global niche markets, including software information networks, medical, water, energy, and transportation. Going forward, the MHA will be [...]
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Novation Dishing Out The Awards at its Annual Supplier Summit
Novation recognized 22 suppliers yesterday at its annual Supplier Summit. These awards were given in recognition of the winners’ superior service provided to the health care organization members of VHA, UHC and Children’s Hospital Association. In addition, Novation also honored an overall supplier of the year with its second annual Mark McKenna award. Mark McKenna served as the president and CEO of Novation from 1999 through 2006. He passed away in October of 2011 after a lengthy battle with cancer. By honoring the overall supplier of 2012 who demonstrated outstanding service, this award continues McKenna’s legacy of putting hospitals and [...]
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California’s Community Medical Centers Joins Premier –PremierConnect Draws Them In
California’s Community Medical Centers joins the Premier Alliance. As central California’s largest healthcare provider and private employer and as a new member (“owner”) of Premier, Community now has the opportunity to collaborate with other Premier members –nearly half of the nation’s hospitals. “Community is excited to partner with Premier to overcome the challenges of this reform environment and lead others in adapting to the changing nature of care delivery with innovative solutions,” said Mr. Jack Chubb, CEO of Community Regional Medical Center. The locally owned nonprofit system will integrate data across its nine network facilities including three acute-care hospitals, as [...]
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Big Pharma Preparing for a Pipeline Shopping Spree, Says GlobalData
Despite a recent fall in deal volume and overall value, some of the pharmaceutical industry’s major players are about to splash out in an effort to restock depleted drug pipelines, says an analyst with research and consulting firm GlobalData. In a new report, Adam Dion, analyst with GlobalData, states that industry leaders such as Pfizer, Merck, GSK and AstraZeneca are paying the price for failing to adequately prepare for the effects of the patent cliff. This report was built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis conducted by GlobalData’s team of industry [...]
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A New IDN is Born: Allegheny Health Network Gains Regulatory Approval in Pennsylvania
What’s in a name? Highmark today announced the creation of Allegheny Health Network (AHN) as the region’s newest integrated delivery system. Having finally secured approval from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department on Highmark’s Form A filing, the hospitals and providers of West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) will now serve as the anchor of the newly formed and already growing Allegheny Health Network. “Today marks a historic and exciting day for health care in our region. I’m pleased to announce Allegheny Health Network as our integrated health care delivery network,” said William Winkenwerder, Jr., M.D., Highmark’s president and CEO. “Allegheny Health [...]
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Adverse Effects of Hormonal Contraceptives Now On the Docket
I received a note over the weekend from Eric Burns, the immediate past president of Media Matters for America. Along with Karl Frisch, a former communications director, they launched a new company called Bullfight Strategies –and their business is good. The company was founded with a goal to empower clients “to win in the media arena.” It does so by focusing on the right kinds of rapid response narrative, fully conditioned to take advantage of what has become known as “the 15 minute news cycle.” Eric wanted to make sure that Healthcare Matters’ readers were aware of the latest developments [...]
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Surprise Surprise –”Competitive” Exchanges Promise More of the Same
Thanks to the Kaiser Health News for the following guest post: In Alabama, if you get your health insurance through your employer and you lose your job, you quickly realize there aren’t a lot options for purchasing coverage on your own. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has had a virtual monopoly in the state since the Great Depression, and today it covers a whopping 89 percent of Alabamians. In part, Blue Cross and Blue Shield is dominant in Alabama simply because it has been there for so long — it sold its first policy in 1936 — and [...]
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Branding Your Approach To Sourcing and Negotiations
Late last year I interviewed Jeff Ryan of BravoSolution, a veteran of our industry and a genuine expert in the application of optimization to sourcing. Briefly, Jeff made a point in our discussion (I’m paraphrasing) that “there was no room for reverse auctions in a collaborative approach to sourcing.” And while I agree with him, it’s important to note that Jeff wasn’t saying that reverse auctions are bad or have outlived their usefulness. The point is, they do have their place; just not in supplier markets where your ability to realize full value potential requires a partnership. But it’s even [...]
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UPS Laser-Focused on Healthcare Supply Chain –Investors Already Seeing the Pay Off
In case you haven’t heard, UPS is making it crystal clear that it intends to dominate in the healthcare marketplace. It’s a $50 billion global market and when you consider the down turn in traditional business demand for overnight shipping services, both UPS and FedEx have set their sights on a marketplace –the medical cargo marketplace—that is projected to grow at a rate of 20% annually. “Both companies have more than doubled their dedicated health-care storage and handling space in the past five years to take advantage of a business with potential operating margins of 15 percent or higher, dwarfing [...]
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Medical Repatriation –Yet Another Unintended Consequence?
You really do need to check out this report, a collaborative project of Seton Hall University School of Law’s Center for Social Justice (CSJ) and the Health Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI). It’s about a practice known as “medical repatriation.” What is it? It’s where private and public hospitals across the U.S. are unlawfully acting on their own and engaging in the deportations of ill or injured immigrant patients, usually to medical facilities abroad, completely circumventing the federal governments exclusive jurisdiction in the matter. Why do they do it? Despite the fact that the [...]
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Novation’s Aptitude Launches Today –One Approach to Solving the Local Contracting Problem
Roughly ten days ago, we reported on Novation’s formation of a new company, called Aptitude, that will offer hospitals and other providers an online platform to negotiate custom contracts for medical supplies and services. Aptitude will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Novation and its services will be available to all comers, not just existing members of its GPO network –surely an enlightened decision that directly addresses a well-known gap in terms of the current contracting solutions coverage provided by most GPOs.Indeed, I’ll soon be posting information about a alternative approach and solution that will be offered by MedAssets. [...]
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Healthcare Reform and an Epidemic of Hospital Closings in Poor Communities –An Intended Consequence?
I ran across the following story in a Brooklyn, NY newspaper, posted by the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. It’s an interesting read as it points out a reality in New York that is being mirrored all across the United States. In economically depressed communities in most every major city, hospitals are closing at an ever-increasing and alarming rate. In fact, and for what many regard as an unintended consequence of the Affordable Care Act, the promise of millions of newly insured entering the system is accelerating this closing trend, instead of reversing it. Jim Anderson, a correspondent [...]
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New OEM Surgical Imaging Platform Promises To Revolutionize Endoscopic Device Market
Sanovas Inc., a life science technology company specializing in the development and commercialization of micro-invasive diagnostics, devices and drug delivery technologies, announced today the launch of MicroCam™, a new OEM “Plug & Play” micro imaging platform for endoscopic device applications. The technology features proprietary software, electronics, sensors and optics that can provide autonomous imaging capability to most any surgical instrument. Sanovas will offer its imaging technology for integration with medical device makers’ existing portfolios; enabling them to improve their products clinical capabilities, enhance their product offerings and increase their competitive advantage. The system was developed to evolve and, eventually displace large, cumbersome [...]
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Payer Mix Realities: Is the Tail Wagging the Dog?
A recent study published in the JAMA suggests that for patients with Medicare and private insurance, hospitals benefit financially if these same patients suffer from postsurgical complications. In other words, many hospitals have the potential for adverse financial consequences if they do a better job in decreasing postsurgical complications. Yes, the potential for a negative impact on profits that is highlighted in this study clearly depends on payer mix, but it is fair to point out that these results (and the results of other similar studies) don’t nullify the idea that certain hospitals might be gaming the system. This particular [...]
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Premier & Phytel Partner to Provide More Comprehensive Ambulatory Care Solutions
Premier has partnered with Phytel to more fully automate population health services. The partnership enables a more comprehensive population health suite allowing providers to manage patient care more efficiently, with better understanding of outcomes and total cost. The solution uses predictive analytics to profile an entire population, not just those who have been treated. The intelligence garnered can more effectively support emerging care delivery and risk management models as providers participating in accountable care organizations (ACOs) are reimbursed based on quality and cost overall. Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO participant Thomas Auer, MD, CEO of Bon Secours Virginia Medical Group, [...]
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- Healthcare in the Cloud: Forecast Still Hazy : HIMSS 2013: Top Takeaways Gathering Clouds said: [...] to David McCament’s mind, the future of healthcare cloud is not so clear. In a gue... more
- Time Definite Logistics –MNX Expands Global Network and Adds Track & Trace : Daniel said: Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues. It was definitely inform... more
- Varian Runs a “Clinic” in Effective Lobbying –Harry Reid Rides Shotgun : Thomas Finn said: Thanks for your comment Bo. I do not fully comprehend the differences between the two opti... more
- Varian Runs a “Clinic” in Effective Lobbying –Harry Reid Rides Shotgun : Barton 'Bo' Cooke said: Tom, you nailed it. This rider, put in at the last minute and was rushed into the Congres... more
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