2008
Sharing / Hot Topics Page
Fom
James Shulkin, Fort Healthcare:
We
do some of these already, but we could do so much more!
"For Patients, More Comfort and a Bigger Dose of Respect"
From
Mary Kay Grasmick, WHA: WI health plans will estimate out-of-pocket costs for consumers
Effective Sept. 1, the 17 members of the Wisconsin Association
of Health Plans have agreed to provide estimates of out-of-pocket
costs in advance of medical services to enrollees who request
them. The group said the
information will help consumers evaluate health care options
and make more informed decisions. Wisconsin
Hospital Association President Steve Brenton called the action “an
important step in advancing health care transparency.” He
said, “Wisconsin hospitals have been strong advocates of
transparency, and have been instrumental in helping consumers
better understand health care prices. But we understand that
the best source for insured individuals of what their out-of-pocket
expenses are likely to be is their insurance companies.” The
agreement exceeds state requirements, which call for health plans
to provide on request their coverage terms and estimates of what
they will pay for a specific service from a specific provider.
WAHP Link to this story -------------------------------------------
Need Info? Visit Updated Web-based WHA Toolkit
Health care can be a complicated industry, but accessing information
on important industry topics is fast and easy on the WHA Web
site. The WHA Toolkit, which can be accessed from the front page
of the WHA Web site (www.wha.org), includes summary papers on
21 health care issues. The papers include WHA’s position
on the issue, the WHA staff contact and links to related resources
available on the topic. Resources range from customizable PowerPoint
presentations to brochures that can be personalized for individual
hospital use.
Hospital leaders, senior managers and hospital trustees will also
find the information useful in preparing for public presentations
or internal briefings. The WHA Toolkit is updated on a regular
basis and new papers are added as needed.
Toolkit papers recently updated include Billing and Collection,
Community Benefits, Uncompensated Care, and Health Care Costs.
A new paper on Recovery Audit Contractors was just added, and a
new resource from AHA, "Community Accountability and Transparency" was
added to the Community Benefit summary paper resource list.
******
Fresh
Pain for the Uninsured
As doctors and hospitals turn to GE, Citi, and smaller rivals to finance patient
care, the sick pay much more
This article was sent to us by a legislator so obviously it is
finding its way around. I wanted to make sure you have seen it.
You might check to see if your hospital has any agreements with
credit card companies similar to those described in the article.
One thing that came to my mind is when you buy a TV from, say Circuit
City, and they offer free financing for 12 months, it always goes
through a credit card company and people are not surprised that
their billing statements come from Chase. They recognize that Circuit
City is not a bank. Hospitals are not banks either, but we’ve
traditionally worked out a billing plan with the patient making
payments directly to the hospital. This changes that relationship.
See
the article HERE
For
2008,
every WHPRMS member is asked to contribute to
our idea exchange - the Sharing Program / Hot Topics
page. The program allows members to share their
favorite links to information, solutions, or knowledge
bases,
along with ideas they have put into practice
themselves regarding current 'Hot Topics' in Healthcare
PR and
Marketing. This constant flow of solution sourcing
for similar challenges
keeps
members
up-to-date
on
the latest
healthcare
public relations and marketing tactics and introduces
members to a variety of healthcare organizations
located throughout
the state.
Participants are asked to provide a short statement
and any appropriate links to more information about
any current
topic they are dealing with that may be useful to others
with similar circumstances.
If your organization has more than one member, we would
like to see Hot Topic contributions pertinent to each
member's daily responsibilities.
Associate members (agencies/vendors) are encouraged
to participate but should use the opportunity to educate
members on a particular healthcare or marketing topic.
Mailing labels can be purchased inexpensively
for self-promotion so please do not use the Sharing
Program
as an advertising vehicle.
Want to get involved? Here's how it works...
Watch for updates to this page to download the 2008
Share Calendar. Either request a change of date or
prepare
to have a
sharing piece ready to go on or near this date.
You will receive
a 30-day notice reminder asking if you wish to participate.
Simply reply with an email with links and / or attachments
and we'll
take it from there.
Thank you for your participation!
Send your Hot Topics Sharing Contribution to:
Chuck Moore
Sharing / Hot Topics Page Coordinator
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