WellNet Source Newsletter

December 2009 Issue

Higher Costs Expected in Post–Health Reform World

Rising health costs in 2010 will impact employer–sponsored health plans and change the way employers administer their health plans next year, according to major industry surveys. In light of pending health reform legislation—projected to cost $1.05 trillion over the next decade....
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Drug Makers Raise Prices for Brand Rx Drugs—A Response to Health Reform?

Even as healthcare costs continue to soar upwards, drug makers have begun raising prices at the fastest rate in years. In the last year, the pharmaceutical industry has raised the wholesale prices of brand-name prescription drugs by about 9 percent, adding more than....
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Federal Grants for Electronic Health Records System to Begin in 2010

Federal funding to jump start a shift to a national electronic health record (EHR) system will be launched in the first quarter of FY2010 as part of a $36 billion health IT program under the economic stimulus bill.
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Wellness Programs “Bend” Healthcare Cost Curve, IBM Finds

As part of long–going advocacy of wellness among its employees, IBM reports that the company’s investment in wellness and preventive care has saved the company and its employees millions in healthcare–related costs. IBM’s research shows that $79 million invested....
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Rx Drug Claims Data Valuable in Health Risk Prediction, New White Paper Reports

Rx drug claims–based models are effective in predicting health risk, according to a new white paper released by Healthcare Interactive, an affiliate of WellNet Healthcare. Because Rx claims data is available almost immediately after a prescription is filled.....
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