Healthcare Policy and Insurance
Wellbe identifies healthcare policy and insurance news and information for healthcare consumers to help them better understand health policy and heath insurance in the United States, including its impact on healthcare finances, quality, and access, so that they can make more informed decisions about their health insurance coverage.
Looking Ahead, Republicans Examine Options in Health Care Fight
"Republican lawmakers who have spent two years railing against President Obama's health care law are beginning to devise alternatives so they can be ready if the Supreme Court forces the issue of the uninsured back into the center of political debate..."
New York Times
April 03, 2012
Justices Ask if Health Law Is Viable Without Mandate
"On the third and final day of Supreme Court arguments over President Obama’s health care overhaul law, several justices on Wednesday indicated a reluctance to pick and choose among the law's other provisions should the requirement that most Americans have health insurance be struck down..."
New York Times
March 28, 2012
Small-Picture Approach Flips Medical Economics
"Even as she struggled to manage her Type 2 diabetes, Fannie Cline’s condition spiraled downward. It was not uncommon for Mrs. Cline, a 69-year-old retiree, to have dizzy spells, some so bad that they landed her in a hospital emergency room near her home here on the South Side..."
New York Times
March 12, 2012
At-Risk Patients Gain Attention of Health Insurers
"Who doesn’t want to be in the top 1 percent of wage earners, political discomfort aside? No one, though, is especially envious of another group of 1 percenters: the heaviest users of health care. One percent of patients account for more than 25 percent of..."
New York Times
February 27, 2012
Concierge Medicine Companies
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Health Insurance Websites
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Health Policy & Quality Organizations
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Health Policy Journals
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Healthcare Advocacy Organizations
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Physician & Hospital Finders
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Elite Health
Comments: Company offers several types of memberships, including executive wellness packages and memberships focusing on preventive care. Also, Elite Health offers packages for individuals or families requiring 24-hour access to a physician, and a personal health record.
Comments: Company offers several types of memberships, including executive wellness packages and memberships focusing on preventive care. Also, Elite Health offers packages for individuals or families requiring 24-hour access to a physician, and a personal health record.
hellohealth
Comments: Company enrolls primary care physicians who are available for in-person and/or online consultations. Fee structures vary by physician.
Comments: Company enrolls primary care physicians who are available for in-person and/or online consultations. Fee structures vary by physician.
MDVIP
Comments: Based in Boca Raton, FL, MDVIP offers annual memberships that provide members with access to a selected panel of physicians and several benefits, including same or next day appointment scheduling, extended consultations, and 24-hour physician availability.
Comments: Based in Boca Raton, FL, MDVIP offers annual memberships that provide members with access to a selected panel of physicians and several benefits, including same or next day appointment scheduling, extended consultations, and 24-hour physician availability.
PinnacleCare
Comments: A membership based healthcare benefit that provides members with access to health advisors as well as physicians and hospitals available globally. Offers several types of membership benefit packages.
Comments: A membership based healthcare benefit that provides members with access to health advisors as well as physicians and hospitals available globally. Offers several types of membership benefit packages.
SignatureMD
Comments: Company offers members an annual "Executive Physical" as well as same or next day appointment scheduling, extended consultations, and 24-hour telephonic or online physician availability.
Comments: Company offers members an annual "Executive Physical" as well as same or next day appointment scheduling, extended consultations, and 24-hour telephonic or online physician availability.
eHealthInsurance
Comments: Popular health insurance website that identifies available health, dental, and life insurance policies for individuals, families, small businesses, and persons eligible for Medicare. Website is easy to use, includes links to informational videos, and has received several awards.
Comments: Popular health insurance website that identifies available health, dental, and life insurance policies for individuals, families, small businesses, and persons eligible for Medicare. Website is easy to use, includes links to informational videos, and has received several awards.
Foundation for Health Coverage Education
Comments: Website is operated by non-profit organization based in California whose "mission is to provide simplified public and private health insurance eligibility information in order to help more people access coverage."
Comments: Website is operated by non-profit organization based in California whose "mission is to provide simplified public and private health insurance eligibility information in order to help more people access coverage."
HealthCare.gov
Comments: U.S. government website that explains public and private health insurance options. You can locate available insurance plans in your state, including ones for persons with pre-existing conditions. You can learn more about health care reform, and even compare the quality of hospitals in your area. The website will be expanded to include price comparisons and additional quality information.
Comments: U.S. government website that explains public and private health insurance options. You can locate available insurance plans in your state, including ones for persons with pre-existing conditions. You can learn more about health care reform, and even compare the quality of hospitals in your area. The website will be expanded to include price comparisons and additional quality information.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Comments: US government agency that conducts research on health services to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care and provides consumers with information to make informed healthcare decisions.
Comments: US government agency that conducts research on health services to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care and provides consumers with information to make informed healthcare decisions.
America's Health Insurance Plans
Comments: Association that represents health plans offering health and dental insurance, as well as long-term care insurance, disability insurance, and supplemental insurance. The association advocates on behalf of health plans, organizes conferences, supports policy research and continuing education, and educates consumers on the benefits of health plans.
Comments: Association that represents health plans offering health and dental insurance, as well as long-term care insurance, disability insurance, and supplemental insurance. The association advocates on behalf of health plans, organizes conferences, supports policy research and continuing education, and educates consumers on the benefits of health plans.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Comments: One of the largest national medical associations in the US that represents the interests of family physicians. The academy educates the public on health and family medicine, promotes healthcare quality and cost-effectiveness, and supports efforts to enhance the "science and art of Family Medicine."
Comments: One of the largest national medical associations in the US that represents the interests of family physicians. The academy educates the public on health and family medicine, promotes healthcare quality and cost-effectiveness, and supports efforts to enhance the "science and art of Family Medicine."
Center for Studying Health System Change
Comments: "Nonpartisan policy research organization located in Washington, D.C. HSC designs and conducts studies focused on the U.S. health care system to inform the thinking and decisions of policy makers in government and private industry."
Comments: "Nonpartisan policy research organization located in Washington, D.C. HSC designs and conducts studies focused on the U.S. health care system to inform the thinking and decisions of policy makers in government and private industry."
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Comments: Government agency responsible for oversight and administration of Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Agency mission is "to ensure effective, up-to-date health care coverage and to promote quality care for beneficiaries." Also, includes links to HospitalCompare, which provides comparative quality rankings for hospitals by zip code.
Comments: Government agency responsible for oversight and administration of Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Agency mission is "to ensure effective, up-to-date health care coverage and to promote quality care for beneficiaries." Also, includes links to HospitalCompare, which provides comparative quality rankings for hospitals by zip code.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Comments: Independent, not-for-profit organization based in Cambridge, MA and founded in 1991 by Donald Berwick, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "IHI works to accelerate improvement by building the will for change, cultivating promising concepts for improving patient care, and helping health care systems put those ideas into action."
Comments: Independent, not-for-profit organization based in Cambridge, MA and founded in 1991 by Donald Berwick, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "IHI works to accelerate improvement by building the will for change, cultivating promising concepts for improving patient care, and helping health care systems put those ideas into action."
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
Comments: Independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs, including hospitals, in the US and internationally.
Comments: Independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs, including hospitals, in the US and internationally.
Kaiser Family Foundation
Comments: Private, non-profit foundation that is focusing on important healthcare issues in the US and on global health policies in which the US plays a significant role. The foundation conducts independent policy research and analysis, and provides free health policy information to the public.
Comments: Private, non-profit foundation that is focusing on important healthcare issues in the US and on global health policies in which the US plays a significant role. The foundation conducts independent policy research and analysis, and provides free health policy information to the public.
National Association for Healthcare Quality
Comments: Organization, founded in 1976, that provides "research, education, networking, certification and professional practice resources" to healthcare quality professionals. NAHQ administers the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) examination.
Comments: Organization, founded in 1976, that provides "research, education, networking, certification and professional practice resources" to healthcare quality professionals. NAHQ administers the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) examination.
National Business Coalition on Health
Comments: National, non-profit, membership organization that is working to create a US healthcare system that is safe, efficient, and of a high quality. The organization promotes value-based purchasing of healthcare services by standardizing publicly reported performance measurements, encouraging reform of healthcare provider payment mechanisms, and engaging consumers in healthcare decision making.
Comments: National, non-profit, membership organization that is working to create a US healthcare system that is safe, efficient, and of a high quality. The organization promotes value-based purchasing of healthcare services by standardizing publicly reported performance measurements, encouraging reform of healthcare provider payment mechanisms, and engaging consumers in healthcare decision making.
National Committee for Quality Assurance
Comments: Private, non-profit organization that accredits health plans, disease management organizations, health and wellness promotion programs, as well as physician recognition programs. Also, NCQA generates annual HEDIS® (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) reports on the comparative quality of health plans in US News and World Report.
Comments: Private, non-profit organization that accredits health plans, disease management organizations, health and wellness promotion programs, as well as physician recognition programs. Also, NCQA generates annual HEDIS® (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) reports on the comparative quality of health plans in US News and World Report.
National Quality Forum
Comments: Nonprofit organization that is working to improve the quality of the American healthcare system by prioritizing and setting goals for healthcare performance improvement, building consensus for standards of performance measurement and public reporting, and working towards goals for performance improvement "through education and outreach programs."
Comments: Nonprofit organization that is working to improve the quality of the American healthcare system by prioritizing and setting goals for healthcare performance improvement, building consensus for standards of performance measurement and public reporting, and working towards goals for performance improvement "through education and outreach programs."
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Comments: Private foundation that is working to "improve the health and health care of all Americans" through philanthropy in several areas of health care, including childhood obesity, health insurance coverage, healthcare human capital, innovations in health care, public health, quality and equality of health care, and addressing the needs of special populations.
Comments: Private foundation that is working to "improve the health and health care of all Americans" through philanthropy in several areas of health care, including childhood obesity, health insurance coverage, healthcare human capital, innovations in health care, public health, quality and equality of health care, and addressing the needs of special populations.
The Commonwealth Fund
Comments: Private foundation that is working to create a US healthcare system that is high performing with services that are accessible, efficient, of a high quality, and that are available to vulnerable populations.
Comments: Private foundation that is working to create a US healthcare system that is high performing with services that are accessible, efficient, of a high quality, and that are available to vulnerable populations.
The Leapfrog Group
Comments: Group formed by large employers that is working to achieve "big leaps in health care safety, quality and customer value" by reducing medical mistakes, promoting public reporting of quality and outcomes data by healthcare providers, and rewarding providers for improving "quality, safety, and affordability of health care." The group works to benefit consumers through improved health care and providing them with safety and quality data to make more informed healthcare decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Survey compares hospitals' performance on "national standards of safety, quality, and efficiency that are most relevant to consumers and purchasers of care."
Comments: Group formed by large employers that is working to achieve "big leaps in health care safety, quality and customer value" by reducing medical mistakes, promoting public reporting of quality and outcomes data by healthcare providers, and rewarding providers for improving "quality, safety, and affordability of health care." The group works to benefit consumers through improved health care and providing them with safety and quality data to make more informed healthcare decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Survey compares hospitals' performance on "national standards of safety, quality, and efficiency that are most relevant to consumers and purchasers of care."
American Journal of Public Health
Comments: A peer-reviewed journal published by the American Public Health Association "to advance public health research, policy, practice, and education." The journal covers a broad variety of topics, including research and research methods, health policy and ethics, politics and law, and statistics.
Comments: A peer-reviewed journal published by the American Public Health Association "to advance public health research, policy, practice, and education." The journal covers a broad variety of topics, including research and research methods, health policy and ethics, politics and law, and statistics.
Health Affairs
Comments: A well-known and peer-reviewed health policy journal that was founded in 1981 and "explores health policy issues of current concern in both domestic and international spheres."
Comments: A well-known and peer-reviewed health policy journal that was founded in 1981 and "explores health policy issues of current concern in both domestic and international spheres."
Health Services Research
Comments: Journal published by the Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET), which covers recent research, methods, and thinking on "financing, organization, delivery, and outcomes of health services" for individuals involved with research, public policy and management of health services.
Comments: Journal published by the Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET), which covers recent research, methods, and thinking on "financing, organization, delivery, and outcomes of health services" for individuals involved with research, public policy and management of health services.
Journal of American Medical Association
Comments: Most well-known, peer-reviewed medical journal in the world. JAMA has been produced since 1883 by the American Medical Association.
Comments: Most well-known, peer-reviewed medical journal in the world. JAMA has been produced since 1883 by the American Medical Association.
Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law
Comments: The journal covers "focuses on the initiation, formulation, and implementation of health policy and analyzes the relations between government and health—past, present, and future."
Comments: The journal covers "focuses on the initiation, formulation, and implementation of health policy and analyzes the relations between government and health—past, present, and future."
The Lancet
Comments: Prominent, independent medical journal published since 1823, covering "medical news, original research, and reviews on all aspects of clinical medicine and public health."
Comments: Prominent, independent medical journal published since 1823, covering "medical news, original research, and reviews on all aspects of clinical medicine and public health."
The New England Journal of Medicine
Comments: Leading medical journal owned and published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. NEJM covers a variety of topics affecting the clinical practice of medicine.
Comments: Leading medical journal owned and published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. NEJM covers a variety of topics affecting the clinical practice of medicine.
Best Doctors
Comments: Founded in 1989 by physicians from Harvard Medical School, provides "expert medical consultation services" to employees to ensure that they have received "the right diagnosis and the right treatment."
Comments: Founded in 1989 by physicians from Harvard Medical School, provides "expert medical consultation services" to employees to ensure that they have received "the right diagnosis and the right treatment."
change:healthcare
Comments: Founded in 2006, change:healthcare works with employers to improve healthcare decisions by increasing transparency of healthcare information between employees, healthcare providers, and payers. The company maintains an web-based application that monitors employers' medical claims activity and identifies opportunities for savings at the level of the employee.
Comments: Founded in 2006, change:healthcare works with employers to improve healthcare decisions by increasing transparency of healthcare information between employees, healthcare providers, and payers. The company maintains an web-based application that monitors employers' medical claims activity and identifies opportunities for savings at the level of the employee.
Consumer's Medical Resource
Comments: Company leverages "Medical Decision Support® services" to "provide personalized, evidence-based medical research, information, and support services to employees who face serious, complicated, and chronic illness, or would like to become well-informed healthcare consumers."
Comments: Company leverages "Medical Decision Support® services" to "provide personalized, evidence-based medical research, information, and support services to employees who face serious, complicated, and chronic illness, or would like to become well-informed healthcare consumers."
Health Advocate
Comments: US healthcare advocacy and assistance company, founded in 2001. Health Advocate employs Personal Health Advocates, including registered nurses, medical doctors, and healthcare benefits specialists who assist clients with clinical, insurance, and health challenges.
Comments: US healthcare advocacy and assistance company, founded in 2001. Health Advocate employs Personal Health Advocates, including registered nurses, medical doctors, and healthcare benefits specialists who assist clients with clinical, insurance, and health challenges.
Patient Care
Comments: Founded in 2001, Patient Care employs advocates who assist individuals with questions on health insurance benefits, resolution of claims and billing issues, determination of out-of-pocket expenses prior to receiving a healthcare services, and locating healthcare providers and health plans.
Comments: Founded in 2001, Patient Care employs advocates who assist individuals with questions on health insurance benefits, resolution of claims and billing issues, determination of out-of-pocket expenses prior to receiving a healthcare services, and locating healthcare providers and health plans.
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Wellbe LLC. All rights reserved. Wellbe does not provide medical advice,
diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.
diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.
