Washington, DC (PRWEB) January 13, 2016
Editors at Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) interviewed health industry insiders to identify the top trends for 2016 in health insurance, Medicare Advantage (MA), compliance and pharmacy areas, the results of which were published in the company’s first newsletters of the year. Here's what they found:
- Insiders tell Health Plan Week that this year will bring health insurance executives some much-needed clarity on issues such as what the next three to five years will look like in terms of the viability of Affordable Care Act exchanges, how far to push plan designs featuring narrow networks, and what moves employers will make with the beginning of an end to non-ACA compliant coverage.
- The AIS Report on Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans finds that the Blues are searching for ways to become more efficient, perhaps by outsourcing key back-office operations, as they prepare to compete with two coming industry giants created by the combinations of Aetna Inc./Humana Inc. and Anthem, Inc./Cigna Corp. (Not affiliated with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association or its member companies.)
- Medicare Advantage News says Medicare Advantage plans are also preparing for more competition, as the number of provider-sponsored MA plans grows and more Medicaid companies enter the Medicare space.
- Drug Benefit News warns that employers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers are adopting new strategies in the face of price spikes among both generic and brand-name drugs, including moving some therapies to higher tiers or off the formulary altogether.
- Even as hospital compliance managers continue to deal with short hospital stays and physician contracts, Report on Medicare Compliance says they have their eye on new compliance challenges from looming regulations on several fronts, including discharge planning and the 60-day rule.
- HIPAA privacy and security officers also face new issues, according to Report on Patient Privacy, including the need to address the “Internet of Things,” reduce the threats posed by workforce members through a renewed focus on training, and ensure that vital new technology doesn’t inadvertently compromise protected health information.
For more information on AIS’ newsletters and other publications, visit https://aishealth.com/marketplace.
About AIS
Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is a publishing and information company that has been serving the health care industry for nearly 30 years. It develops highly targeted news, data and strategic information for managers in hospitals and health systems, health insurance companies, medical group practices, purchasers of health insurance, pharmaceutical companies and other health care organizations. AIS products include print and electronic newsletters, databases, Websites, looseleafs, strategic reports, directories, webinars and virtual conferences.