NY Times Article on Implant Costs

​A recent New York Times article had some very interesting insight into healthcare tourism and the high costs associated with the US healthcare system, particularly implant costs.  

The article spotlights a man in America who receives a quote for a hip replacement. The implant costs $350 to manufacture in the US and $150 overseas.  He negotiated the wholesale rate of $13,000 for the implant ( it would have been much higher had the hospital billed their retail rate).  The hospital then wanted to charge another $65,000 for the room, with surgeon and anesthesia charges still extra. If all of these charges had occurred, the total surgery cost would have been more than $100,000.

Judgment vs. Discernment

Life today creates constant assaults on our senses and emotions.  We are busier and have more demands than any time in history. These things can put us into fight or flight mode at any time. As founder of a company, CEO and father, I have constant stimulus assaulting my senses, tying to trigger me. I know for a fact this isn't a good thing on many levels...

• I don't think as clearly when I am triggered

• My health suffers

• Work and life are a lot less fun

The Power of Case Management & Other Interesting "Facts"

The following article has some great data on how case management has had an impact on long-term costs and increased health.

US Healthcare: Consumes 80% of World's Opioid Prescriptions

The US makes up 4.6% of the world's population, yet we consume 80% of the world's opioid prescriptions. That means Americans consume 83 pain killers for every one the average person worldwide takes. An opioid is a form of palliative treatment that addresses symptoms, not intended to heal the cause.  Basically, an opioid is synthetic heroin or opium. ABCNews.com writes about this in an article on the state of our healthcare system.

Seeing Pain on a Brain Scan

Researchers have been able to see "pain" on a brain scan for the first time. This development indicates that in the future, we will be able to pinpoint pain and the scale of that pain more effectively.

Halifax Hospital - Largest Whistle-Blower Case Yet?

​A lawsuit is ongoing in Florida that could produce one of the largest whistle-blower penalties ever for the Halifax hospital chain.  An internal employee of Halifax says she witnessed more than a decade of billing fraud, unnecessary hospital admissions, inappropriate spinal surgeries and illegal kickbacks to doctors which could amount to more than $200 million in damages. 

Dealing with Enemies and Conflict

Here is a great article on how two Best Buy power players, the Founder and the new CEO, went from enemies to a unified front.  The three main points on how the new CEO diffused the situation are as follows.

Who Do You Spend Time With?

I have spent hours thinking about and challenging this idea in my mind, but it keeps reproving itself to me over and over.  Consider who you spend the most time with, and most likely you are the average of those five friends in all areas of life:

Why the Pharmacy Stop is a Necessary One

A growing trend in our industry is "Physician Dispensing." This is when a medical provider sells the drugs from their office instead of writing a prescription and sending them to the pharmacy.

Some companies will go to physician offices and set up "vending machines" with the most common drugs to be sold.  Then physicians get a cut of the profits. 

Task Management vs. Outcome Leadership

I am sure all of you heard about the "ban" on large sugary drinks in New York City.  I was very happy to see that a judge overruled it (Comrade Bloomberg will appeal that ruling).  It was nice to see the judicial system play its proper role in controlling the expansion of government.