Repealing Health Law Would Mean More Benefits for Members of Congress

Watch our new video featuring Republican Members of Congress denying that they voted to protect taxpayer funded health care benefits for themselves, while repealing critical patient protections for the middle class and doing nothing to create jobs.

Before last week's repeal vote, The Hill newspaper found that repealing the Affordable Care Act would "let members of Congress keep their government-subsidized insurance coverage after they retire -- a benefit they lost under the health law."
http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/politics-elections/236823-repealing-health-law-would-mean-more-benefits-for-members-of-congress

The Hill found that "a Republican amendment to the Affordable Care Act -- kicked members of Congress and their aides out of the healthcare program for federal employees. Instead, lawmakers and staff have to get coverage through the insurance exchanges created by the healthcare law. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who championed that provision, said it ensures that lawmakers live under the same rules as their constituents."

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Repealing Health Law Would Mean More Benefits for Members of Congress

Watch our new video featuring Republican Members of Congress denying that they voted to protect taxpayer funded health care benefits for themselves, while repealing critical patient protections for the middle class and doing nothing to create jobs.

Before last week's repeal vote, The Hill newspaper found that repealing the Affordable Care Act would "let members of Congress keep their government-subsidized insurance coverage after they retire -- a benefit they lost under the health law."
http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/politics-elections/236823-repealing-health-law-would-mean-more-benefits-for-members-of-congress

The Hill found that "a Republican amendment to the Affordable Care Act -- kicked members of Congress and their aides out of the healthcare program for federal employees. Instead, lawmakers and staff have to get coverage through the insurance exchanges created by the healthcare law. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who championed that provision, said it ensures that lawmakers live under the same rules as their constituents."

View the original article here

Dovetail Health Selects Program Members Using DST Health Solutions' CareAnalyzer with Johns Hopkins ACGs to Achieve ...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DST Health Solutions, LLC, today announced the availability of a new case study highlighting the implementation and success of its CareAnalyzer system at Dovetail Health, a Needham, Mass.-based health care organization designed to provide critical support to high-risk patients at home. The report, entitled "Dovetail Health Prevents Re-Admissions in High-Risk Patients Using CareAnalyzer from DST Health Solutions," also features results from Dovetail's recent work with Health New England, including a reduction in Medicare Advantage readmissions by 36 percent annually.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120313/DE68752LOGO )

Dovetail Health used DST's CareAnalyzer to refine the process of selecting high risk health plan members by leveraging John's Hopkins ACGs (Adjusted Clinical Groups) and health plan administrative data.  High risk plan members are then targeted for proactive case management and personalized treatment programs. 

"High-risk patients represent an enormous financial obstacle for health plans," said Jeffrey Oberg, Director of Account Management, Dovetail Health.  "That's why we work with health plans to identify patients with a high likelihood of returning to the hospital and then implement programs that stabilize and manage patients at home, keeping them out of the hospital."   

As referenced in the case study, Dovetail Health uses DST's CareAnalyzer analytics to identify members at risk for adverse health outcomes after hospitalization.  Industry research suggests that as much as two-thirds of adverse events that occur post-discharge are a result of medication issues.  To mitigate these risks, Dovetail Health sends a clinical pharmacist into high-risk patients' homes to review medication therapies, identify potential interactions, and educate the patient on the importance of adherence.  In addition, patients receive personalized chronic illness coaching to help them more effectively partner with the health plan and their doctors to better manage their own health.

The care coordination promoted by this program positively impacts both the cost and quality of care. Readmissions account for approximately 16 percent of patients discharged, and cost an average of $6,000 to $10,000 per readmission. Patient safety is improved as are health outcomes resulting from the clinical review of the medication therapy combined with the promotion of patient education and engagement.  

"The majority of patients in our program have significant medication reconciliation and medication adherence issues," says Lara Terry, M.D., Medical Director for Dovetail Health. "This is a population where investing in more services and highly personalized interventions makes sense for both the health plan and the member." 

"DST Health Solutions is proud to be part of the Dovetail Health transition management program provided to Health New England's members, and of the positive impact of DST's CareAnalyzer to measure and reduce clinical and financial risk," said Steve Sabino, President of DST Health Solutions. "We believe the use of this analytical solution is resulting in significant gains in the quality of patient care and an efficiency to provide that care."

To order a PDF of the case study, "Dovetail Health Prevents Re-Admissions in High-Risk Patients Using CareAnalyzer from DST Health Solutions," click here.

About Dovetail Health
With a sole focus on preventing readmissions among the highest risk patients, Dovetail Health is a leading provider of transitional care services. Combining unique in-home pharmacist care managers with comprehensive infrastructure and customized technology systems, Dovetail has delivered reductions in readmissions for its health plan, provider group and hospital partners. For more information, contact Dana McNally at dmcnally@dovetailhealth.com or visit www.dovetailhealth.com.

About DST Health Solutions
DST Health Solutions, LLC delivers systems and services that help improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, increase speed to market, and facilitate medical cost management and price containment. Our clients include commercial health plans, consumer-directed plans, government plans (Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D and Medicaid) and physician practices. DST Health Solutions' enterprise applications and outsourcing services include claims processing, member and provider management, benefit plan management, new product development, care management and medical management, and decision support/analytics. DST Health Solutions is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc. For more information about DST Health Solutions, contact 800.272.4799, email inforequests@dsthealthsolutions.com or visit www.dsthealthsolutions.com.

The information and comments above may include forward-looking statements respecting DST and its businesses. Such information and comments are based on DST's views as of today, and actual actions or results could differ. There could be a number of factors affecting future actions or results, including those set forth in DST's latest periodic financial report (Form 10-K or 10-Q) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such factors should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking comment. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements in this press release to reflect future events.

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Health Alliance Plan's New Branding Initiative Reinforces Distinction and Helps Members Find "Peace"

DETROIT, MI--(Marketwire -02/27/12)- Health care reform ushers in an era where consumers will be more engaged in their health care coverage decisions than ever before. An estimated one million Michigan residents will be seeking their own health insurance in 2014. As a result, health insurers must adapt to a dramatically changing marketplace.

Health Alliance Plan (HAP) is launching a new branding initiative in anticipation of the changes health plans will face in providing and marketing their products and services under health care reform.

According to Donna S. Reid, HAP's Vice President, Marketing & Communications Strategy, HAP launched a branding initiative on Sunday, February 26 that plays on HAP's perceived strength as a nonprofit health plan company known for compassion, personalized attention and customer relationships reinforced by innovative Metaphor Study® research.

The initiative kicked off publicly with a bold, new television spot immediately before, during and after the 84th Academy Awards®, broadcast in southeast Michigan on WXYZ-TV7. Advertising on Detroit-area billboards, radio stations, newspapers and websites will follow today.

"We want to reinforce that HAP cares deeply about helping our members achieve a sense of peace and comfort with health insurance decisions best suited for them and their families," said Reid. "It makes sense for HAP, with a reputation for exceptional customer service, to lead with this type of initiative."

The new HAP television spot ends with this narrative: "And we may wonder: Am I doing the best for myself and my family? Am I keeping them safe? Ask us a question. We'll figure things out together. Welcome to Peace. Welcome to HAP."

HAP is the first health plan in Michigan to use innovative market research to pinpoint customers' emotional connection. The advertising campaign was created by The TMV Group with the Metaphor Study® research conducted by D.P. Bostwick & Associates, led by Dave Bostwick, former Director of Consumer Market Research for the Chrysler Corporation. Both companies are based in Birmingham, Mich.

"The objective of Metaphor Study® market research is to gain an in-depth understanding of the underlying idea behind a commercial concept," Bostwick said. "Metaphor Study® market research enables a company like HAP to refine and reinforce the emotional connection with its target audiences. The strength of HAP's existing brand, as the health insurance company best known for its compassion, personalized attention and customer relationships, really stood out loud and clear in the HAP Metaphor Study®."

The Bostwick agency obtained input from more than 300 individuals from southeast Michigan in 12 separate focus groups held in December 2011.

HAP's Reid said, "The Metaphor Study® reinforced the existing strength of the HAP brand, which has us positioned perfectly for the health care reforms to come. Great brands get out in front of others and we already have momentum since HAP is known less as a claims payer and more as a consumer-friendly, caring, compassionate health-solution company that takes a very personalized approach to making the lives of our members easier and more fulfilling."

"This goes beyond simply an advertising campaign," said Reid. "The brand initiative will have many touch points in everything we do, and it will be reinforced throughout 2012 and beyond."

About Health Alliance Plan
Health Alliance Plan (HAP) is a Michigan-based, nonprofit health plan that provides health coverage to more than 648,000 members and companies of all sizes. For more than 50 years, HAP has partnered with leading doctors and hospitals, employers and community organizations to improve the health and well-being of the lives we touch. HAP offers a product portfolio with six distinct product lines: Group Insured Commercial, Individual, Medicare, Medicaid, Self-Funded and Network Leasing. HAP excels in delivering award-winning preventive services, disease management and wellness programs, and personalized customer service. The National Committee for Quality Assurance awarded HAP's commercial HMO and HAP Senior Plus Excellent Accreditation.

HAP employs more than 1,000 southeast, east central and western Michigan residents through its corporate offices in Detroit, Southfield and Flint, and its subsidiaries Midwest Health Plan and ASR Health Benefits.

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

HAP Brand Launch Press Release

HAP helps at every age and every stage

To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 322167

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LifeWise Health Plan of Washington Brings Members First Time Access to Mobile Tool for Managing Their Health Plan

Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 1:00 PM EST - U.S. Markets close in 3 hrs.

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LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon Brings Members First Time Access to Mobile Tool for Managing Their Health Plan

Mon, Jan 23, 2012, 1:01 PM EST - U.S. Markets close in 2 hrs 59 mins

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Medica Online Health Program Engages Members at High Rates to Improve Their Health, Activating Them with the Patient ...

Thu, Jan 12, 2012, 11:15 AM EST - U.S. Markets close in 4 hrs 45 mins

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