… but sometimes patients win!

Posted by Michael Wong on January 6, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

How the community feels can force a insurer into taking action it didn’t want to. Recently, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois reversed its decision on requiring pre-approvals for mental health services (Chicago Tribune article) after doctors and others complained.  Prior approvals, as most folks know who work in managed care, are an easy way for … Continue reading →

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Unhealthy Healthcare

Posted by Michael Wong on December 22, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

How can the healthcare system be “unhealthy”? The Commonwealth Fund (a private, non-partisan, non-profit foundation) commissioned a survey that found that Americans pay more when they get sick than people in other Western nations and get more confused, error-prone treatment. Although it sounds like today’s news, the survey was conducted in 2005.  Not much has changed … Continue reading →

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