Paula Blankenship

Communications professional with two decades of award-winning work in journalism, corporate communications, promotional video, public relations and higher education. Always seeking opportunities to serve the public good.

Author's Posts

National News

FDA Approves First Pediatric Heart Valve Designed to Grow With Children

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first pulmonary heart valve designed to be expanded after implantation as a child grows, potentially reducing the need for repeated open-heart surgeries. The surgically implanted Autus Size-Adjustable Valve is approved for pediatric patients with congenital pulmonary valve disease. It...
CMMI GENEROUS Model to Curb Medicaid Rx Pricing - All States Are In! Arizona News

CMMI GENEROUS Model to Curb Medicaid Rx Pricing - All States Are In!

All 50 states met a Sept. 30 deadline to participate in the federal government’s GENEROUS MODEL designed by the CMS Innovation Center to test whether “most favored nation” pricing can reduce Medicaid prescription drug costs. The voluntary model is expected to save states $27.6 billion and the federal government $36.6 billion over...
Arizona News

Arizona Opens Two Rural Healthcare Workforce Grant Opportunities

The new Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunities are designed to recruit and retain healthcare providers in rural communities. The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity released requests for grant applications for: Provider Retention & Well-Being Microgrants, which will support efforts to reduce burnout,...
Arizona’s 2027 Medicare Advantage Landscape: A County-by-County Guide Arizona News

Arizona’s 2027 Medicare Advantage Landscape: A County-by-County Guide

Arizona’s Medicare Advantage (MA) market will include 148 plans in 2027, up from 133 this year, while the average monthly plan premium falls from $4.47 to $2.81, according to CMS. Arizona has more than 1.56 million eligible Medicare beneficiaries, and all will have access to a $0-premium MA plan when annual enrollment opens Oct....
AHCCCS Revises Predictions for Members Impacted by Work Requirements Arizona News

AHCCCS Revises Predictions for Members Impacted by Work Requirements

Arizona's Medicaid agency has provided updated projections showing that the number of members who may need to report work requirements has dropped from about 417,000 in the adult expansion population to about 104,000, due to numerous exemptions and those identified as already working. During last week's Arizona Healthcare Financial...
Arizona News

SCAN Expands Retail Strategy With Walmart-Branded Medicare Plans

Walmart is making another move into Medicare Advantage, partnering with fast-growing SCAN Health Plan to develop co-branded plans that could link insurance coverage with the retailer’s pharmacy, vision, food and over-the-counter services. The companies said the plans will launch in two states and could be available to more than 2...
The 2026 Medicare Advantage Data Edition Data Resources

The 2026 Medicare Advantage Data Edition

Before the 2027 Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) begins, Arizona healthcare leaders need a clear view of where the Medicare Advantage market has been—and where it appears to be heading. The Hertel Report’s 2026 Arizona Medicare Advantage Data Edition provides that foundation, tracking the enrollment, product and competitive shifts...
Arizona Comings & Goings

Phoenix Children's: New Leadership Announcements

Phoenix Children’s has added two senior executives to lead its nursing workforce and its foundation's operations. Tarra Kerr has been appointed senior vice president and chief nursing officer, overseeing strategy and operations for more than 2,100 nurses at the pediatric health system. Her responsibilities include workforce...
AMA Releases CPT 2027 Code Set National News

AMA Releases CPT 2027 Code Set

The American Medical Association released its 2027 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set, with 453 editorial changes designed to reflect new medical technologies and evolving clinical practices. The update includes 299 new codes, 74 revisions and 80 deletions and takes effect Jan. 1. One of the most significant changes...
News

AHCCCS and Community Partners Launch KeepMyAHCCCS.com

Work requirements could affect nearly 417,000 AHCCCS members statewide, and the new website will serve as the agency's primary public resource for explaining who may be subject to the requirements, who may qualify for an exemption and what members may need to do to maintain coverage. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System...
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