Onward & Upward
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Dade Docs Celebrated in Alternative Weekly
Michael Salzhauer, MD won Best Plastic Surgeon while Gary Curson, DPM won Best Podiatrist in Miami New Time's annual BEST OF edition. Dr. Curson is located in Surfside, walking distance to Dr. Salzhauer's office in Bay Harbor Islands.
Dr. Salzhauer is no stranger to the media spotlight. He made a big splash earlier this year with his Jewcan Sam video and was featured on the cover of the June 21st issue of New Times.
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www.MCH.com
Updates in Pediatrics
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Medical Malpractice Specialists for
the Healthcare Industry
for more information click on logo above or Click here to contact us via e-mail.
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Providing a complete turn-key practice management solution for private and hospital-affiliated medical practices...Our team of experts will effectively handle the day-to-day operations, restructuring of troubled practices, revenue cycle management and consulting.
Visit www.MFhealthcare.com |
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MRI | CT | Ultrasound | X Ray | NCV
Mammography | Bone Density Studies
Serving Dade & S Broward since 2000
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Publisher of FHIweekly, Specialty Focus & Updates in Pediatrics
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Examining WellCare's Response
 | | "Such egregious behavior should not be rewarded by allowing the fox back in the hen house." |
By Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD, FAAFP, FASAM
Click HERE to view a Letter to the Editor by WellCare's VP of Corporate Communications published recently in the Miami Herald.
It contains WellCare's official response to the ongoing criticism of their efforts to bid for the lucrative Medicaid contracts. The letter emphasizes that WellCare today represents a transformed company "sensitive to the concerns of those advocacy groups that share our mission of service - a mission to provide quality healthcare solutions to the most vulnerable and fragile populations in Florida."
Well, I believe that individuals can change and turn their lives around. Nevertheless, they still have to do time for the crimes they committed. Why does a different standard apply to a corporation which engaged in truly despicable actions? Those include ending coverage for sick people and as a result, the company saved $20,000 for every one of the 425 prematurely delivered babies that were dropped from their plan.
Employees were also removing certain patients from coverage because they cost too much money. When the goal was reached, the company hosted a celebratory dinner.
Such egregious behavior should not be rewarded by allowing the fox back in the hen house. WellCare should operate instead under public oversight with an ombudsman (or woman) representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints reported by individuals. The ombudsman (or woman) should investigate constituent complaints and attempt to resolve them, usually through recommendations (binding or not) or mediation.
Is that too much to ask for?
Dr. Wollschlaeger is a frequent contributor to FHIweekly and Specialty Focus. You can read more of his articles by visiting http://floridadocs.blogspot.com/.
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Our Health Policy Matters
A column focusing on federal, state and local health policy
Paul Gionfriddo
The Decision is In
Click Hot Link to View Blog Post.
SCOTUS rules on ACA
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Revised Condition of Participation for Hospital Governance Permits Single Governing Body for Multiple Hospitals
Hospital and health care systems should note that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has finalized the proposed provision that would permit a multi-hospital system to have a single governing body. The final rule also augments the proposed rule through the addition of a requirement that a hospital/health system governing body include at least one member of the hospital's medical staff (or a medical staff member of one hospital, if for a health system).
Read the full article here.
Source: MWE.com |
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More Bad News for Print Media
According to the Newspaper Association of America, print newspaper advertising revenue (measured in 2011 Dollars) has plummeted from a peak of about $63,000 million in the early 2000's to about $20,000 million currently. Adjusted for inflation, print newspaper ad revenue is at levels not seen since the early '50's. Click HERE to view chart. The news is similar for magazine advertising as readers (and advertisers) move to digital platforms. For example, SmartMoney recently announced it was closing its print edition. And the trend is not expected to reverse itself. With regard to audience behavior, Total Digital (Internet + Mobile) dwarfs Total Print (Newspapers and Magazines). The typical American is spending over five times more time digesting digital content than traditional print content (232 minutes per day vs. 44 minutes per day). Advertisers will continue to follow the audience. According to eMarketer: "Shifts in ad spending remain behind the shifting consumption patterns of the US population. While TV is clearly getting its fair share of dollars, the amount of ad spending going toward digital does not yet reflect the amount of time consumers have invested in these areas of their lives. Mobile, for example, has a more than 10% share of adults' media time each day, but less than 1% of ad dollars, eMarketer estimates. On the flip side, newspapers and magazines continue to command ad dollars far ahead of their importance in consumers' day." Two trends in healthcare make this news particularly relevant for providers. States Tara Pihn, healthcare pundit and futurist, "Payment models based on outcomes will drive consumer choice towards quality providers. To attract patients, physicians and facilities will feel increasing pressure to showcase their excellence via advertising. Meanwhile, margins will continue to be squeezed as the nation attempts to bend the cost curve. Thus providers will be compelled to use the most cost-effective advertising solution, which is digital." See related article: Stop the Presses: Online Ad Spend to Exceed Print this Year ___________________________________________ |
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