by Tom Barrett | Jan 6, 2016 | Employer Issues, General Health, General Insurance Issues, Health Policy, Healthcare Issues, Healthcare Reform, Providers
We read and hear a lot about the craziness and wild swings in pricing for common medical services. Some seem too incredulous to believe. Healthcare’s version of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. OK. So here’s a true story. Hot off the presses. Happened just this week to...
by Tom Barrett | Jan 5, 2016 | General Health, General Insurance Issues, Health Policy, Healthcare Issues, Healthcare Reform, Pharmacy Costs, Pharmacy, PBMs and Pharma Costs, Providers
It seems the kickoff of a New Year fosters predictions, Top Ten’s, and various and sundry industry-related crystal ball lists. An article about consumer healthcare trends in this morning’s Fiscal Times (10 Healthcare Trends That Will Affect You in 2016) caught my eye....
by Tom Barrett | Sep 27, 2014 | Employer Issues, General Health, Healthcare Issues, Healthcare Reform, Providers
Despite the fact that narrow networks continue to come under fire, we believe they will remain an integral part of the fabric of health plan options. Narrow network strategies are employed by carriers as a means to control costs, offer lower-priced health insurance...
by Tom Barrett | Sep 19, 2014 | Employer Issues, General Health, Healthcare Issues, Managed Care - Group Health, Pharmacy Costs, Providers
Last week I wrote about improving healthcare literacy. It’s an important and worthy goal. However, I always juxtapose this with something a highly respected physician colleague and friend said to me a few years back. It really resonated with me back then and still...
by Tom Barrett | Aug 15, 2014 | Employer Issues, General Health, Healthcare Reform, Providers
In primary care, like many other things, bigger isn’t always better. And in the case of primary care physician practices, this study backs it up. It’s no secret among those who know me well that I have a strong affinity for small businesses and have long...