'Paperless' clinical trials could save money
The British market analyst Datamonitor claims that life science companies annually spend from $12 million to $17 million on mailings and copies of paper case report forms. By implementing e-clinical solutions, in particular electronic data capture and clinical trials management systems, a company could save anywhere from $10 million to $15 million a year on paper and postage alone, the report claims. DATE: 08/08/08
Medicare to launch PHR pilot in Arizona, Utah
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is launching a two-state pilot program to provide online personal health records. Starting in January, Medicare beneficiaries in Arizona and Utah will be offered a choice of commercially available PHR options. Medicare will populate each record with as much as two years of the individual's claims data. Beneficiaries who select one of the participating PHR vendors can add other personal health information to the claims data. Depending on the specific product, they may be able to authorize links to other personal electronic information such as pharmacy data. DATE: 08/11/08
Horizon files application for for-profit conversion
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is considering converting to a for-profit company. Horizon said it filed the application in accordance with a 2001 New Jersey law that permits a health service corporation to convert to a domestic stock insurer. Executives of the health plan, which serves about 3.6 million members, said a successful conversion could bring as much as $1 billion into the state to improve its healthcare system, because a requirement of the conversion is the formation and funding of an independent charitable foundation. DATE: 08/11/08
Medicare Part D costs to be lower than expected in '09
As Medicare's Part D prescription drug program enters its fourth year, government officials say the program has been a success. Based on the bids submitted by Part D plans, CMS officials estimate the average monthly premium that beneficiaries will pay for standard Part D coverage in 2009 will be $28. This is about 37 percent lower than originally projected when the benefit was established in 2003, according to officials. Originally, projections at the start of the program expected the cost would be $44.12 per month, CMS said. DATE: 08/15/08