- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Feb 6,2012
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, health insurance companies in Arizona are pursuing double-digit premium increases for more than 30 insurance health plans in the state.
Officials from AARP Arizona are weighing-in with the Arizona Department of Insurance on the transparency of health insurance plan rate reviews. The department is currently reviewing the process for rate reviews of health insurance plans. AARP believes consumers should have the opportunity to be more engaged in the process.
“AARP welcomes the opportunity to work with the Arizona Department of Insurance on this very important issue,” said David Mitchell, AARP Arizona State Director. “We are supporting three key points that we hope will be included in the review process.”
AARP would like to see proposed rate increases posted online for public comment before the rate increases are considered “reasonable or unreasonable,” and that policyholders are notified of potential rate increases before they are classified as such. Read the rest of this entry »
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- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Feb 2,2012
Health Plan Introduces New Individual Products
UPMC Health Plan is introducing eight new affordable health care coverage plans for individuals that provide 100 percent coverage on preventive care, health savings account options, and more. Pricing for this comprehensive coverage is as low as $2.46 a day.
The eight new plans – known collectively as UPMC Individual Advantage – can be purchased directly and provide varying levels of deductibles, cost and coverage, and enable persons to choose the option that best meets their own and their families’ health care needs.
Anyone can simply visit the website to review options using an easy plan selector tool and then receive a free, no obligation quote in minutes. Information and personalized service is also available by phone.
All Individual Advantage members will have pharmacy coverage. On the Health Savings Account (HSA) option, preventive medications are not subject to the deductible. In addition, the plan provides unique behavioral health and maternity coverage not often available by most other companies. Each plan design has unique benefits, and copayment levels vary with plan design. Options include a $0 deductible plan, and there are tax advantages for members who choose a plan that can be paired with an HSA. Read the rest of this entry »
- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Feb 1,2012
Confirmatory trials show significantly prolonged survival in patients; drug granted regular approval
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Gleevec (imatinib) regular approval for use in adult patients following surgical removal of CD117-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Today’s action also highlights an increase in overall patient survival when the drug is taken for 36 months rather than the standard 12 months of treatment.
Gleevec was originally granted accelerated approval for the treatment of advanced or metastatic GIST in 2002. In 2008 Gleevec received a subsequent accelerated approval for adjuvant use that is for the treatment of patients with GIST who had had potentially curative resection (surgical removal) of GIST tumors, but who were at increased risk for a recurrence. The accelerated approval program provides earlier patient access to promising new drugs while the confirmatory clinical trials are being conducted. Regular approval for the metastatic GIST indication was also granted in 2008. Read the rest of this entry »
- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Jan 31,2012
Erivedge (vismodegib) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adult patients with basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. The drug is intended for use in patients with locally advanced basal cell cancer who are not candidates for surgery or radiation and for patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).
Erivedge, reviewed under the agency’s priority review program, is the first FDA-approved drug for metastatic basal cell carcinoma. Erivedge was reviewed under the FDA’s priority review program that provides for an expedited six-month review of drugs that may offer major advances in treatment. The drug is being approved ahead of the March 8, 2012, prescription user fee goal date.
Basal cell carcinoma is generally a slow growing and painless form of skin cancer that starts in the top layer of the skin (epidermis). The cancer develops on areas of skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation.
Erivedge is a pill taken once a day and works by inhibiting the Hedgehog pathway, a pathway that is active in most basal cell cancers and only a few normal tissues, such as hair follicles. Read the rest of this entry »