9/22/15

"Drive-By Doctoring" a Reason for Value-Based Purchasing

Here is my latest Risk & Insurance article that blog readers may find interesting. In it, I share some thoughts on dishonest practices in healthcare, and how value-based purchasing can eliminate them: "Drive-By Doctoring" a Reason for Value-Based Purchasing

Read more at Risk & Insurance »

7/22/15

When Someone Needs to be Right — What is the Other Side?

That is correct.  The other side of the coin is that someone else has to be wrong.

Probably the most common and damaging threat to a healthy relationship is the need to be right. This represents the Ego, one of the three “Evil E's”– Ego, Envy, and Entitlement – that I’ve written about previously. When someone always needs to be right, by definition, there is someone that always needs to be wrong. This may not seem to be of any great importance, until you realize that the person that is "wrong" also has their self-esteem damaged in many instances. The need to be right does far more than provoke arguments. The need to be right eats away at loyalty, trust, intimacy and eventually destroys relationships and teams.

7/15/15

Highest Charging Hospitals...and We Can Help

Of the 50 U.S. hospitals with the highest charges, 20 operate in Florida (40%) and half are owned by a single, for-profit hospital system, according to a study published in the journal Health Affairs.

7/7/15

Study Reveals Benefits of a Working Mom

A recent study by Harvard has shown that daughters of mothers who work outside the home have very distinct career advantages later in life.  In addition, their adult sons are more involved in household responsibilities and spend more time caring for family members.

6/30/15

Erosion of the California Work Comp Reforms & MPN

Recently, we were researching the likely impact of an MPN (Medical Provider Network) implementation for a client in California.  The data can vary dramatically depending upon the client and region of the state.

The California Workers' Compensation Institute (CWCI) issued a Research Report in early June regarding the impact of physician networks in California Workers' Comp. In the report, one thing jumped out even more than the MPN data.  The recent reforms California has made are not working.  The workers’ compensation system is eroding badly.

6/3/15

ER Visits Rise Under the ACA

One of the main selling points of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was the contention that it would reduce the number of people going to the emergency room (ER) for non-emergency services.  When a patient does not have health insurance, these costs are often subsidized by taxpayers.  And even when there is insurance coverage, an ER visit is much more expensive (by 5-10 times) than a doctor’s office or walk-in clinic visit.

After the ACA’s first two years, it appears that the law has had the opposite impact on patient behavior—and ER visits are increasing. A lot.


5/27/15

The Joy of Hitting the Numbers

I just started ANOTHER weight loss regimen.

It is tough for me. My lifestyle is inconsistent. I eat out and entertain A LOT. Last week, I had dinners planned for six nights in a row, not to mention business lunches. It takes a toll on the body. Still, I go up and down, and I need to figure out a way to maintain the same weight. I have young kids. I want to be around to know my grandchildren.

5/20/15

If You Can't Beat Them, Buy Them: Why Some Drug Costs Are Going Up

I have done some analysis on pharmacy costs for clients recently. During that time, I noticed an increase in the cost per prescription for some drugs. Our pharmacy partners have shown the same trend in their data. This upsurge made no sense to me.

5/14/15

When Yelp Reviews are Better than Hospital Rating Systems

Here is my latest Risk & Insurance article that blog readers may find interesting. In it, I share some thoughts on the problems with Hospital Rating Systems and how employers and payers can get to meaningful provider quality measures: When Yelp Reviews are Better than Hospital Rating Systems

Read more at Risk & Insurance »

4/28/15

A Few More Observations on the ProPublica/NPR Debate

Last week, I shared my thoughts on the hot debate ignited by the recent ProPublica/NPR series, “The Demolition of Workers’ Compensation.” While I focused on “big-picture” questions that we must ask ourselves as we examine the points raised, I did want to follow up with some additional commentary. The authors took on some important issues in their articles, but I must take issue with a number of the assumptions and conclusions they made in the process.

4/21/15

Workers' Comp: Like a Nasty Divorce

Here is my latest Risk & Insurance article that blog readers may find interesting. In it, I share some views on the ProPublica/NPR series on "The Demolition of Workers' Comp" and the ensuing industry debate: Workers’ Comp: Like a Nasty Divorce

Read more at Risk & Insurance »

3/10/15

Whether You Believe You Can or You Can't — You Are Right

The other day on the drive home, Mike Ditka was being interviewed on the radio. He had some good quotes. Commenting on teams or players, he quoted Henry Ford and said, “If you believe you can do something or you can’t do something, you are right.”

3/4/15

Leadership Navigation: Resourcefulness vs. Process

I recently went on a long boat ride to the middle of nowhere. The ship was very well run. Because of the tight space, everything had a clear place. Everyone knew their jobs well. Whether pulling into port or fishing, the crew all knew what had to be done to run the process. They fixed broken items. They cleaned, maintained, and kept the ship organized. They prevented and prepared for any future potential issues.

2/26/15

Attitude—It Affects Surgery Outcomes

A recent Mayo study reinforces what we have always believed.  A person's attitude and happiness really affect how quickly they recover.

2/9/15

Life Lessons from an Australian Comedian

This Commencement Address was delivered at a school in Australia  by a graduate of the school who is now a well-known comedian. I want to watch this with my kids at a later point in life when they can understand some of the nuances.  For now, I share some of these lessons with you.

2/5/15

WAIT — "Why Am I Talking"

I was at my daughter's school and there was speaker on child psychology.  The emphasis was on the damage done to kids by over-parenting and over-managing their lives.  It was very interesting. They asked adults about their favorite childhood memory.  Only 20% named something involving a parent.  It was usually about when they accomplished something new, took a risk, or were with friends being spontaneous.  The moments when they were able to risk and grow were their top moments.