Out-of-the-box ideas to solve problems

A clip from Crowd Control, a new National Geographic channel show, puts innovative thinking to work solving problems. This clip highlights a novel idea to trick New Yorkers into taking the stairs instead of an escalator. Notice that no one knows they are exercising or doing “the right thing” – they are just having fun.…

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Update: Conference cancelled — Trinity College conference on The Contraception Mandate – religious, legal and health implications

November 12th Trinity College will host a day-long conference on The Contraception Mandate – Religious Liberty & Health Care. Marc D. Stern, General Counsel for the American Jewish Committee and Member of the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court, will be the keynote speaker. After lunch, three breakout sessions on related topics—Religiously Affiliated Organizations and…

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New comparison finds 2014 CT insurance premiums are higher than most states

A study by Health Pocket averaging unsubsidized insurance premiums both on and off the exchange found that for 23 year olds, CT’s average premiums this year were the 11th highest among states, 12% higher than the US average. For 30 year olds, CT also ranks 11th highest with premiums 13% higher than the US average,…

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Webinar — learn the basics of confusing/scary payment model options for CT

Join Bob Berenson, MD of the Urban Institute for a CTHPP webinar November 18that 1pm as he explains health care payment reform options. Dr. Berenson has long health policy experience, both inside and outside government. He served as Director of Medicare Payment Policy at CMS. His work focuses on quality measurement/improvement and Medicare shared savings.…

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CID 2014 managed care report card online

The CT Insurance Dept. has released their annual consumer report card on health insurers.  In its 9th year, the report card compares managed care plans offered in CT across 15 categories of performance including number of providers by county, controlling high blood pressure, cancer screening rates, prenatal care, and drug spending. An incredible resource, the…

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SIM decision to use national PCMH standards affirmed – again

At last night’s SIM Practice Transformation committee meeting, consumer advocates were able to halt erosion of national standards for patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs). Following research and best practices and resisting misinformation, in June the committee voted to use nationally recognized NCQA standards for PCMHs in SIM. NCQA-recognized PCMHs are the foundation of CT Medicaid’s remarkable…

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Webinar — Provider Payment Reform Options: Aspiration Meets Reality

Join Bob Berenson, MD of the Urban Institute for a CTHPP webinar November 18that 1pm as he explains health care payment reform options. Dr. Berenson has long health policy experience, both inside and outside government. He served as Director of Medicare Payment Policy at CMS. His work focuses on quality measurement/improvement and Medicare shared savings.…

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Medicaid quality up, costs stable since switch to ASO

We got lots of good news at today’s Medicaid Council meeting. New financial reports show that since October of 2013 HUSKY enrollment has grown 20% but spending has grown only 13.6%. Per person spending on HUSKY Part D, which includes the former SAGA members and the newly eligible childless adults from the ACA, has actually…

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