Accountable care ‘savior’ of doc groups
Indianapolis’ largest independent physician group, American Health Network, doesn’t want to sell to a hospital, but its CEO hopes it can hold on until accountable care kicks in.
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Dr. Ed Kowlowitz, owner and medical director of the Center for Pain Management in Indianapolis, recently challenged a regional Medicare reimbursement policy and, surprisingly, won. He spoke with IBJ about the experience, as well how his three-physician practice is growing even while many physician practices are selling to hospitals.
Firm tries again with personal health records
Even though Google Inc. has given up on the business of electronic personal health records, Fort Wayne-based NoMoreClipboard.com is launching a new service it thinks will crack open the market.
Lilly’s Alimta get favorable opinion for new use in Europe
If approved for continuation maintenance, Eli Lilly and Co.’s Alimta could be used for longer stretches in lung cancer patients, generating more revenue.
Judge stays decision in WellPoint policyholder case
Former policyholders of WellPoint Inc., who won a right to a class-action trial over their claims that they were shortchanged when the company went public a decade ago, will have to put their trial plans on hold.
John Thompson preaches the possible, leads by example
John Thompson’s humble approach to community service has earned him the distinction of being the 18th recipient of IBJ’s Michael A. Carroll Award, given annually to a man or woman who has demonstrated the former deputy mayor’s qualities of determination, humility and devotion to the community.
WellPoint buying private health insurance exchange
The deal helps WellPoint compete for employers with the U.S. state-run marketplaces set to open in 2014 under President Obama’s health-care overhaul.
Carmel-based company buys medical-billing firm
Zotec Partners, a fast-growing physician-billing management company based in Carmel, has acquired a family-owned medical-billing firm with 100 employees based in Florida.
Debate rages over whether Lilly’s Byetta lifts cancer risk
A German researcher disputed the validity of a study that found Byetta and another diabetes drug increase cancer risk.
IU Cancer Center recruits top researcher
Dr. Murray Korc, an internationally known pancreatic cancer researcher, comes to the cancer center as the first Myles Brand Professor of Cancer Research. The position is funded through a Lilly Endowment grant.
Survey: Workers’ health care costs rose in high single digits
Benefit consultant Nyhart says the typical Hoosier is paying $105 per month for single coverage and $417 per month for family coverage.
Health regulatory leaders ready to flock to city
The top event for regulatory professionals in the health care industry is headed to Indianapolis next month. The annual conference of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society, or RAPS, is expected to draw thousands of members representing 120 companies and organizations.
Lilly invests $30M in chronic-disease partnerships
Drugmaker Eli Lilly and Co. said Tuesday it will spend $30 million over five years to fight chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and respiratory disease in developing countries.
FDA gets new report on Lilly diabetes drug
Drugmakers Eli Lilly and Co. and Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Monday that patients taking their potential once-weekly diabetes treatment, Bydureon, saw a significant improvement in cardiovascular risk factors.
IBM putting Watson to work in health insurance
IBM’s supercomputer system, best known for trouncing the world’s best “Jeopardy!” players on TV, is being tapped by one of the nation’s largest health insurers to help diagnose medical problems and authorize treatments.
Anderson’s GM culture, poor health blamed for high medical costs
Residents of the Anderson area—when they paid with health insurance provided by an employer—spent 76 percent more on health care in 2009 than the average American with employer health insurance, highest among all metropolitan areas in the nation.
Will ACOs really get off the ground?
The hype over accountable care organizations—something every major hospital in Indianapolis is moving to become—is increasingly being laced with skepticism as the economics behind the idea get more scrutiny.
Show-me state stings SynCare
Indianapolis-based SynCare LLC has been touting its growth in Missouri since it entered the market in 2009. But now SynCare’s excursions in the show-me state have turned into a nightmare.
Brokers ‘devastated’ by reform rule
The decision last year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services not to exclude health insurance brokers commissions from a provision in the 2010 health reform law has been “devastating to brokers,” broker advocate Janet Trautwein said during an August speech in Fishers, and there are signs that Congress will act to reverse the policy.