Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Tuesday's Tidbits

OPM announced yesterday that the agency is revising the Privacy Act system of records notice, initially published on October 5, concerning the FEHB Program claims data warehouse that it intends to create in order to improve the FEHB Program. OPM explained that
Based on the comments we have received since we published the initial notice, OPM is considering revisions to the systems notice to, among other things, provide greater specificity regarding the authorities for maintaining the system, clarify its intent to significantly limit the circumstances under which personally identifiable records may be released, and provide a more detailed explanation of how the records in this system will be protected and secured. If OPM publishes a revised systems notice, the public will have the opportunity to comment on the revised notice before OPM begins operating the system.
OPM will continue to accept comments on the October 5 notice until December 15, 2010.

The FEHBlog on Sunday discussed generic drug savings. Business Insurance reports today that "Health care plans have reduced pharmaceutical costs by dispensing generics more often, but they could do a better job of monitoring whether plan members take their medication as prescribed, a report by the National Business Coalition on Health concludes."  This is just one of the findings in the Coalition's annual eValue8 report.

CMS announced today that it has
established the new Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center). Created by the Affordable Care Act, the Innovation Center will examine new ways of delivering health care and paying health care providers that can save money for Medicare and Medicaid while improving the quality of care.  CMS also announced the launch of new demonstration projects that will support efforts to better coordinate care and improve health outcomes for patients. 
According to the press release the new demonstration projects will test the “health home” and “medical home” concepts which are designed to strengthen primary care and better coordinate care for patients.

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