Archive | September, 2008

Retail Rxs By State

September 2, 2008 by George Van Antwerp 0 Comments

The Kaiser Family Foundation recently published an interactive chart that lets you look at the number of retail prescriptions filled in each state based on Verispan data.

This is interesting, but it doesn’t tell you much until tied to population or compared by disease state or some other metric.  So, here is their view by retail Rxs per capita.

There are lots of other data point out there by state for you to look at.

[BTW – Since I heard from one “ex-fan”, I will apologize for some distraction with the political process.  It is hard not to comment on timely events that will affect healthcare such as the US presidential race.  I appreciate readers interest in focus, but that’s not always possible.  Thank you for reading!]

Healthcare, PBM / Pharmacy, Research

Palin – Genius or Foolish

September 2, 2008 by George Van Antwerp 2 Comments

I would have predicted that John McCain would have chosen Mitt Romney even though they don’t appear to like each other.  So, I have yet to figure out whether choosing Sarah Palin was genius or foolishness on his part. (more on Sarah at Wikipedia)

Let’s look at a few characteristics that seem important in this race (at least for the presidential candidate):

  • Leadership – From what I have seen, she seems to have leadership qualities.  She even wrote a book.
  • Motivation – I haven’t seen her speak, but this evaluation seems to say she is a better communicator than Obama.
  • Age – young to complement McCain’s age
  • Energy – Seems to have a strong, positive vibe
  • Challenging the status quo – If elected, this would be a first woman VP.
  • Experience – no Washington experience…mostly local and a little state

She brings with her some interesting personal characteristics:

  • Runs marathons – shows determination and hard work; able to stick to a goal; values fitness
  • Husband works on the Alaskan oil slopes – good link to the blue collar world that might not have lined up with McCain
  • Pregnant daughter – could upset some of the conservatives, but shows she is human and by sticking by her kid shows her allegiance and compassion
  • Son in the army – shows family values and willingness to put her kids at risk to protect our country
  • Outdoors – husband has won the Iron Dog (snowmobile race) four times; she hunts; she fishes

Then again.  It matters who the VP candidate is, but does anyone change their vote on this?

Healthcare

They Charged The Wrong Insurance

September 2, 2008 by George Van Antwerp 2 Comments

Only a year late, I just got a notice from an insurance company telling me that we had several prescription claims processed under the wrong insurance card.  Apparently, they allowed our pharmacy to process claims for over 2 months after we had switched insurance.

Why is this my problem to deal with?  Shouldn’t the insurance company have responsibility for maintaining the eligibility file?  Shouldn’t the pharmacy have made sure my insurance was current?  Now, I have to either pay $300 or go back to the pharmacy and ask them to reverse out claims that are over a year old.

What a pain!  Of course, I am going to the pharmacy.  I had coverage so why would I pay out-of-pocket.

Consumerism, Healthcare, Managed Care, Marketing / Communications, PBM / Pharmacy
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