Harrisburg hospital and Capital BlueCross teaming up on “medical home” concept

April 30th, 2010

The pilot program is beginning at Pinnacle-owned family practices in Lower Paxton Twp. and Marysville.

Independence Blue Cross announces plan to pay physicians more for better patient outcomes

April 30th, 2010

Under the current payment system, doctors get paid for patient visits, but not much of the related administrative work.

Blue Cross’ new prescription program proves to be controversial among customers

April 30th, 2010

The health insurance company’s customers will soon have to choose between mail order and pharmacy for receiving their prescriptions.

Hospitals round-up for 4/29

April 29th, 2010

The latest on Allegheny General Hospital – Bellevue, Temple University Hospoital, MedWELL Urgent Care Center, and Gracedale Nursing Home.

Long-term care insurance program is health reform package “sleeper”

April 29th, 2010

The measure, which hasn’t been widely discussed in mainstream media, aims to help keep people needing long term care in their homes.

HB 245 would remove barriers to PA’s underutilized Family Caregiver Support Program.

April 29th, 2010

House Bill 245 would eliminate the current waiting list for the services by mirroring the federal program. The bill also would increase the reimbursement limit for caregiving-related expenses from $200 to $500 and the lifetime grant limit for home modification and assistive devices from $2,000 to $6,000, reports the Times Leader.

Some state lawmakers want PA to create a new agency to administer health care reform measures

April 29th, 2010

Legislation introduced by Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153, Montgomery County, would put oversight for such key programs as Medical Assistance, Cover All Kids and adultBasic under a new Health Insurance Reform Implementation Authority, reports the Times Tribune.

Blue Cross of Northeastern PA in PR Mode for their RX Home Delivery Plan

April 27th, 2010

Blue Cross of NEPA says new Select Home Delivery Program will not eliminate usage of local pharmacies, but others disagree.

American Cancer Society to Hold Press Conference at the Capitol

April 27th, 2010

ACS will hold a press conference today at the Capitol calling for a tax on other tobacco products which include chewing tobacco, snuff and cigars. Pennsylvania is the only state that does not have a tax on these products.

Will AdultBasic have to lighten its load?

April 27th, 2010

With a portion of funding set to expire on December 31, will AdultBasic need to cut 50,000 people from its rolls?