Massachusetts insurers reported increased profits in the second quarter of 2011 after health care providers lowered reimbursement prices. Blue Cross and Blue Shield made $56.5 million in the second quarter of 201 after losing $14.3 million in the second quarter of 2010. [Boston Business Journal] Remember to follow Bostonist on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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UMass students will likely face big fee increases in the Fall. [Boston Globe]
Several health insurance companies are requesting rate increases; some plans would increase 12% or more. [Boston Globe]
Including the 4 deaths over the weekend, Boston's homicide rate is up approximately 20% compared to last year. [Boston Herald]
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Microsoft opened a new research facility in Cambridge. Perhaps they'll eventually get "Obama" into Word's spell-check. [Mass High Tech]
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Results tagged “healthinsurance”
The same bear seen in Attleboro on Sunday has since been spotted in the Taunton area. [Taunton Gazette] Remember to follow Bostonist on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Bay Staters get an extra day to file taxes due to Patriot's Day. Governor Deval Patrick supported President Obama's deficit reduction plan on ABC's "This week" Sunday. He said his plan is realy about the country's values. Remember to follow Bostonist on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Massachusetts residents are living longer than ever. More of us are insured now, too. Must be a coincidence. Remember to follow Bostonist on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
- Bay State hospitals like Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Children’s Hospital issued bonuses to thousands of workers as both institutions had good years. [Boston Herald]
- Details on the sale of Caritas Christi Health Care are still being ironed out. [Boston Globe]
- Gov. Deval Patrick went to Washington, D.C. today to boost Massachusetts' chances in the Race to the Top, a federal program that could net the state $250 million in education grants. [Boston Herald]
- Wyclef Jean won't be at a fundraiser for Gov. Deval Patrick tonight. John Legend will be there. Jean is running for president of Haiti. [Boston Globe]
The government of Massachusetts has provided us with a website with which to look up Our Health Care Options. Problem is, in Massachusetts, you don't really have any--unless you have a job or are wealthy. Mandatory health insurance is really not the same as health care for everyone. If you're not covered by your employer or able to afford your own insurance, you're stuck with the state, likely paying at least $150 a month of money you don't have. Insurance inanities aside, the new site is actually a pretty useful tool (although we haven't been able to get results for any health care providers yet), providing ratings and cost information and comparisons for hospitals and doctors around Massachusetts. Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. JudyAnn Bigby says, "our hope is that the website will empower consumers to spend health care dollars more efficiently and motivate providers to improve quality and decrease their costs." It's a helpful step, but it's far from a magic wand to heal our health care system.
The Globe reports on Massachusetts joining the medical revolution with the opening of a CVS in-store clinic in Medway. Nurse practitioners are on hand at these clinics to give vaccinations and treat "minor acute illnesses." As people rush to get flu shots this fall, the clinics will also be able to help. It's $59 a visit, which is more than a copay but less than a real doctor bill, and you don't have to make an appointment or wait for hours. The clinics are open 8am to 8pm weekdays and 10am to 4pm on weekends. After Medway, they're set to open in Bridgewater, Danvers, Taunton, and Tewksbury. Guess Bostonians will be going the regular medical route for a while. The clinics are licensed by the Department of Public Health.
The adult smoking rate among adults in Massachusetts decreased 8% in 2007 from its 2006 rate. 16.4% of Mass. adults smoked in 2007, compared to 27.8% in 1986. Studies suggest that health concerns and mandatory health insurance (including state-funded help with quitting) were the largest factors in effecting the decrease. Smoking rates also decreased among teens, from 20.5% in 2006 to 17.7% in 2007. Congrats to those who've succeeded in quitting.
There are lot of things to dislike about the waiting room at your doctor's office—germy fellow patients, antiquated reading material, a complete lack of shampoo and energy drinks for sale. CVS will be able to rectify at least the last issue after regulations approved yesterday by the state's Public Health Council will allow the corporation to place small medical centers within its stores.
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