Ben Slocum, UnitedHealthcare of Northern California

Ben Slocum has been CEO since 2007 of UnitedHealthcare of Northern California, which provides health benefit plans and services to individuals, public sector employers and businesses of all sizes. Part of UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare organizes access to quality, affordable healthcare services nationwide on behalf of 25+ million individual consumers, contracting directly with over 600,000 physicians and care professionals and 5,000 hospitals. Previously, Ben was an executive officer for six years within the private equity firm of Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe’s portfolio of companies, including President of Beechstreet Corporation and Senior VP and Member of the Office of the President at Concentra Inc. Before that, he held several senior positions within United Payors and United Providers (UP&UP), which was eventually sold to BCE Emergis, the healthcare division of Bell Canada. Earlier, Ben held multiple leadership roles in both operations and sales at John Hancock, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey. Ben has joined the San Francisco Round Table.

Don Deieso, Ph.D., PeriGen, Inc.

Don Deieso is CEO of PeriGen, a technology-enabled professional services company specializing in risk reduction and clinical quality improvement in obstetrics. With a database of over 400,000 deliveries, the company's PeriBirth system compares the care ordered against published standards of care, and can then recommend alternative care plans that incorporate best practice protocols for each patient, based on their specific clinical condition as it changes. PeriGen’s clinical decision support and fetal monitoring solutions are installed in over 100 hospitals across North America. Previously, Don was CEO of EduNeering, Inc., which provided compliance services and online training to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, and was ranked among Deloitte's Technology Fast 500  Companies from 2002 to 2005. In 2007, Don led the successful sale of EduNeering to Kaplan, Inc. Earlier in his career, Don was the CEO of several publicly-traded companies in the engineering, construction, and technology sectors, held senior positions in federal and state government, and served on the faculty of Rutgers University. Headquartered in Princeton, N.J., Don is an ABL Member at Large.

Congratulations to the 2010 Innovations in Healthcare^SM Award Honorees, Finalists & Semi-Finalists!

ABL's 12th Annual Innovations in Healthcare^SM Awards Event will take place on April 28th in Newport Beach, featuring this year's "Leadership in Innovation" Awardee, Debra Reisenthel, CEO of Novasys Medical Inc.  Debra's one of the rare Founder/CEOs who has grown her company "From Concept to Reimbursement," in a groundbreaking area of women's health. In her Keynote Presentation, Debra will share the inspirational story of her tenacious commitment to developing the Renessa System, a non-surgical approach to treating a condition that plagues an estimated 15 million women in the U.S. alone. And then, against all odds, getting the federal government and commercial payers to actually cover the treatment. 

This year marks the first year that the ABBY Awards include an international entry, as well as Finalists from four States. Each of the Finalists will present their company's innovative technology or approach via a Video Presentation at the Innovations in Healthcare^sm Event.  And, ABL Members attending the Event will determine, through their secret balloting, which of these 2010 Finalists will take home the ABBY Awards:

In the Innovative Approach to the Delivery of Healthcare category:
HealthCare Partners Medical Group-CA, Robert Margolis, MD, CEO;
Specialists On Call, Inc., Joe Peterson, MD, CEO; and
WhiteGlove House Call Health, Robert Fabbio, CEO

In the Innovations In Healthcare IT & Telecom Technology category:
A-Life Medical, Inc., Jaye Connolly, CFO/COO;
Diversinet Corporation, Jay Couse, Senior VP, Healthcare; and
PeriGen, Inc., Donald Deieso, Ph.D. , CEO

In the Innovations in Medical/Biotechnology category:
Acclarent, Inc., Bill Facteau, CEO;
Advanced Cardiac Scan, Inc., Irfan Iqbal, CEO; and
VQ OrthoCare, James Knape, CEO

Among this year's Semi-Finalists were HopkinsMD, Maryland eCare, and TabSafe Medical Services in the Approach category; Awarepoint, LifeModeler, Inc., Practice Fusion, Sajix Inc., Sequel Systems, and XIFIN Inc. in the HIT/Telecom category; and CollabRx, King Pharmaceuticals, Masimo, and Rx Timer Cap in the Medical/Biotech category.

UnitedHealthcare Creates National Cancer Care Registry + Rewards Rx Compliance
UnitedHealthcare, where Ben Slocum is Northern California CEO, has launched Oncology Care Analysis, a patient-focused, integrated program using a first-of-its-kind database that combines clinical and claims data from 2,600+ oncologists and 8,600+ patients to gauge the quality of cancer patient care based on approved treatment guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of 21 leading cancer centers. Results are shared with participating oncologists, in compliance with applicable privacy laws, to help improve the quality of cancer care and lead to better outcomes for patients.  Meanwhile, UnitedHealthcare has debuted the Refill and Save Program, which reduces a customer's co-pay for refills of certain prescription drugs by $20, a 40% savings on a typical plan, for those who refill their medications on a timely basis.
 
Tethys Wins Fast-Start Award
Tethys Bioscience, where Mike Richey is President, recently won the first-ever DiNA Fast-Start Award at the 2009 BayBio Pantheon Ceremony in San Francisco, given to the young Bay-Area company that has met important developmental milestones and achieved the most significant growth over a five year period.

Sonoma Valley Hospital to Add In-house MRI System, New SNF Beds
Sonoma Valley Hospital (SVH), where Carl Gerlach is CEO, announced that its Board has approved the purchase of a new MRI system to replace the leased unit that parks in front of the hospital two days a week. SVH will now be able to offer the community full-time, Monday-through-Friday MRI services; will be able to train and use its own X-ray/CT techs; and the cost to operate the purchased unit will actually be less per month than the current mobile contract fee.  Also, SVH's Skilled Nursing Facility is adding 17 new beds, funded by the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation, and will soon begin upgrading existing patient rooms, funded by private donations.

Snaptic Improves 3banana Notes with Version 1.16
Snaptic, Inc., where Steve Brown is CEO, has updated its 3banana Notes application for the Android market, including a widget for a quick note; global search integration; the ability to pin a note to your home screen; a new note shortcut; and improved syncing.
 
Select Data Addresses What to Expect in a RAC Audit
Select Data Inc., where Ed Buckley is CEO, has published an E-zine article -- How are RACs Going to Affect Your Agency? -- which provides some insight on what to expect and suggestions on how to manage individual Recovery Audit Contractor audits.

PeriGen Announces Beazley Group Agreement & Equity Investment
PeriGen, Inc., where Don Deieso is CEO, has entered into an agreement with Beazley Group, a Lloyd’s of London-based insurer of medical malpractice for U.S. hospitals, whereby Beazley will provide insurance coverage at a reduced cost to hospitals that implement PeriGen’s solution suite. Meanwhile, Perigen recently received an equity investment from Salmon River Capital, LLC.  

Linden Acquires Hycor Biomed from Agilent
Linden LLC, where Tony Kesman is a Senior Partner, has acquired Hycor Biomedical Inc. from Agilent Technologies. Hycor develops, manufactures and markets in vitro diagnostic products for the global allergy, autoimmune and urinalysis markets, including the HYTEC, KOVA and AUTOSTAT brands.
 
Keenan Adds Disease Management, Personal Wellness Programs
Keenan & Associates, where Steve Richter is a Senior VP, has recently partnered with Nurtur and Healthyroads to offer new programs to its employee benefits practice. Nurtur is providing a proactive, comprehensive disease management program for such conditions as asthma, diabetes, COPD, heart failure, coronary artery disease, lower back pain and depression. Healthyroads is offering three tiers of wellness solutions, which include online personal health assessments, coaching sessions, exercise programs, and progress rewards programs.

Kaiser Tops Scores on State's Quality Report Card
For the second consecutive year, Kaiser Permanente, where Dan Edmonds-Waters is a senior executive, is the only health plan in California to earn a four-star rating for quality of care in the 2010 Healthcare Quality Report Card from the California Office of the Patient Advocate. KP Northern and Southern California earned the highest four-star marks in the report’s overall comparison of clinical performance, including perfect marks in asthma and lung care, checking for cancer, Chlamydia screenings, and diabetes, heart, maternity and mental healthcare.  Also, Kaiser Permanente is a founding partner in the Partnership for a Healthier America, which is bringing together the public and private sectors, other organizations, business and thought leaders, the media, states and local communities to make meaningful and measurable commitments to fighting childhood obesity. First Lady Michelle Obama serves as Honorary Chair of the new organization.

Hythiam: Positive PROMETA Study Featured in Peer-Reviewed Journal
Hythiam, Inc., where Rick Anderson is President, announced that the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the impact of the medical component of Hythiam's PROMETA Treatment Program on methamphetamine dependent subjects were published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, a peer-reviewed, international journal. The final data demonstrated that the medical component of the PROMETA Treatment Program achieved a statistically significant reduction in the combined craving score for methamphetamine when compared to placebo, and that craving was a significant predictive factor for subsequent drug use.
 
HeartMath Releases emWave Desktop Program
HeartMath, where Bruce Cryer is CEO, has released its emWave Desktop product -- compatible with PC and Mac systems -- designed to help users de-stress and improve emotional resilience. emWave Desktop collects data from the user's heart through a pulse sensor that plugs into their computer. The program translates information from heart rhythms into user-friendly graphics displayed on the computer monitor. As users apply HeartMath's stress-reducing techniques, they see their heart rhythms change in real time.

Epocrates' Leading Medical App Coming to the iPad
Epocrates, Inc., where Rose Crane is CEO, announced that its clinical reference application for the iPhone and iPod touch devices will be customized for the new iPad computer tablet. "By optimizing our software for the iPad, we are capitalizing on the larger-screen real estate and interactivity provided by this sophisticated device," said Rose. Epocrates surveyed 350+ clinicians to gauge their interest in the new tablet. Findings include: 9% of respondents plan to buy the iPad when it was immediately available; another 13% plan to buy it within the year; and 38% expressed interest and requested more information.

El Camino Helps Struggling Teens Achieve Emotional Resiliency
El Camino Hospital, where Ken Graham is CEO, has launched an after-school program at its Mountain View hospital for teenagers who are experiencing significant anxiety, depression, or other symptoms related to mental health. Called ASPIRE (After-School Program Interventions and Resiliency Education), the group-based program isn't intended to replace an adolescent's existing therapist or psychiatrist, but to provide an intensive, six-week, 4-day-a-week treatment program that helps break through existing habit patterns and teach new coping skills.

CIGNA Expands Onsite Health Programs with Kronos Acquisition
CIGNA Health, where Chris De Rosa is Southern California/Nevada President, is acquiring Kronos Optimal Health Company, a Phoenix-based health and wellness company that specializes in lifestyle management programs, face-to-face coaching, biometric screenings and health education programs. With a contracted network of approximately 13,000 health coaches, health educators and screeners across the U.S., Kronos will support CIGNA's programs of full-service onsite clinics, pharmacy services, one-on-one health coaching, biometric screenings, flu shots and onsite/online health improvement programs.

CERECONS & GE Partner on Healthcare Management System
CERECONS, the healthcare division of Unlimited Innovations, where Philip Paul is CEO, has partnered with General Electric Healthcare to integrate CERECONS software into GE's Managed Care Application, giving users the full range of CERECONS functions, including provider and administrative web portals and dashboards, a patient portal and many other modules.

CareMeridian Teams with Village to Offer Post-Acute Alternatives
CareMeridian, LLC, where Jim Ashby is CEO, has partnered with Village Healthcare Centers in California to provide long- to life-term care and support to people with neurologic disorders or ventilator dependency, or who have sustained traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. Village Healthcare's Santa Ana facility serves up to 15 individuals and a new Garden Grove location -- expected to join CareMeridian in the next few weeks -- can provide services to an additional 15 individuals.

Aubrey Group Introduces Entrepreneurial Services Program
Aubrey Group, Inc., where Andre Schwager is CEO, has launched an Entrepreneurial Services Program, which assists new medical device entrepreneurs in assembling the key ingredients required for a successful product launch, including funding, regulatory, intellectual property, manufacturing, product feasibility, budgeting and marketing issues. The program provides quick and inexpensive access to the talent, experience, knowledge, and capabilities of Aubrey Group's team.

2/19 - Los Angeles Round Table
3/3 - OC South Coast Round Table
3/9 - Silicon Valley Round Table
3/10 - San Francisco Round Table
3/17 - OC Spectrum (Device/Dx) Round Table

3/24 - Developing an Effective Board Workshop, Costa Mesa: This interactive discussion program will address the Purposes, Types and Key Drivers for Getting Value from a Board, including Shareholder, Advisory and Special Purpose Boards.

4/28 - 12th Annual Innovations in Healthcare^SM Awards Event, Newport Beach - Hold the Date!

MEMBER RESOURCES:
Recent Round Table Presentations of Particular Interest

 
Lori Hack, Chair of the California eHealth Collaborative (CAeHC) and CEO of ObjectHealth, brought ABL's San Francisco Round Table up to speed on "California Health Information Exchange: Where Are We?”, an excellent Presentation she has made available to all our Members in the Resources section of the ABL Members Only website.  Most of us agreed, it was the most comprehensive overview of the various funding sources - and their status - that we've seen.

Larry Blitz, of HFS Consultants, gave his Silicon Valley Round Table Members an impressive (and, frankly, disturbing) overview of the “Demographic Tsunami.” If you'd like some harrowing statistics to share with your Board (or your friends) about the demands on the healthcare system we can expect -- in just a few years, check out his Presentation in the Resources section of the ABL Members Only website.

INSIGHT:  Health Reform 2.0 - Behind Open Doors
by Mimi Grant

A couple of weeks ago when we asked our ABL Healthcare Online readers if they believed "Healthcare Reform legislation will be signed into law in the next three months?" only one respondent said YES (11%).  Four boldly said NO (44%), two were uncertain (22%), one wrote "Not in the current form. Only parts" (11%), and another predicted "Something lame will get signed so they can save face" (11%).

No doubt the country will be tuned-in next week, when -- with TV cameras rolling -- President Obama will meet with a bipartisan group of leaders from the House and Senate to hash out what can be salvaged in a post-Scott-Brown's-election environment.

In an interview with Katie Couric of CBS News, President Obama said, "What I want to do is look at the Republican ideas that are out there and I want to be very specific… How do you guys want to lower costs? How do you guys intend to reform the insurance market so that people with pre-existing conditions, for example, can get health care? How do you want to make sure that the 30 million people who don't have health insurance can get it?"  To which a number of Congressional Republicans have already replied: "Scrap it and start over." 

Yet, it will be interesting to note how many minutes it takes, once the Summit begins, before someone brings up Anthem's recently announced premium rate hikes of up to 39% on a million individual policy holders.  Even though Anthem has since announced that they're delaying the rate increases by a couple of months, their timing was certainly flawed. 

So my vote: in this charged environment, expect the unexpected!

HEALTHCARE & GOVERNMENT

Nearly $1 Billion Awarded to Advance Health IT, Career Training
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis recently announced a total of nearly $1 billion in Recovery Act awards to help healthcare providers advance the adoption and meaningful use of health IT and train workers for the healthcare jobs of the future. The awards will help make health IT available to over 100,000 hospitals and primary care physicians by 2014 and train thousands of people for careers.
     The $750+ million in HHS grant awards Sebelius announced are part of a federal initiative to build capacity to enable widespread meaningful use of health IT. This assistance at the state and regional level will facilitate healthcare providers' efforts to adopt and use electronic health records in a meaningful manner that has the potential to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare for all Americans. Of the $750+ million, $386 million will go to 40 states and qualified State Designated Entities (SDEs) to facilitate health information exchange (HIE) at the state level, while $375 million will go to an initial 32 non-profit organizations to support the development of regional extension centers (RECs) that will aid health professionals as they work to implement and use health IT - with additional HIE and REC awards to be announced in the near future. RECs are expected to provide outreach and support services to at least 100,000 primary care providers and hospitals within two years.
     The $225+ million in DOL grant awards Solis announced will be used to train 15,000 people in job skills needed to access careers in healthcare, IT and other high-growth fields.  
     In California, the grants will provide $38.8 million to the California Health and Human Services Agency to develop an HIE; $31 million to a variety of organizations statewide for the Cal-REC effort aimed at helping primary care providers adopt EHRs; and $31.4 million to California community colleges and not-for-profit organizations to train people for healthcare careers. (HHS.gov release & San Francisco Business Times, 2/12/10)

Pritts Named First ONC Chief Privacy Officer
Joy Pritts, a lawyer, privacy researcher and Georgetown University faculty member, has been named as the first chief privacy officer to HHS' Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Pritts is an assistant research professor at Georgetown's Health Policy Institute and the author of a 2007 research report in which she concluded that the U.S. lags in privacy practices regarding patient control over the release of the medical information compared with Canada, the Netherlands and the U.K. More recently, she conducted an HHS-funded study of state privacy laws affecting the movement of electronic laboratory results and their implications for health information exchange. She also has served as a member of the technical advisory panel for the federally funded multistate Health Information Security and Privacy Collaborative and as a board member of the National Governors Association's State Alliance for e-Health. (Modern Healthcare, 2/17/10)

HEALTHCARE TRENDS

UCLA to Test Social Media to Improve Teen Health
The UCLA School of Public Health is looking to tap into the power of social networks, in an attempt to encourage adolescents from 13 to 17 to take better care of their health. Health Net and UCLA will study the use of Web-based, social media to improve preventative care and decrease ER visits among  adolescents. Funded by a $1.1M grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health, the effort will compare how using social media compares to more traditional health outreach efforts and will reach around 8,000 Medicaid and Healthy Families beneficiaries. (socaltech.com TechNews, 2/11/10)