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

Members Only: ACO/VBN April 2018 Data Edition Data Resources

Members Only: ACO/VBN April 2018 Data Edition

A comprehensive review of accountable care organizations and value-based networks operating in Arizona; spotlight coverage on what's working and the challenges ahead for our state's MSSP ACOs, financial and quality performance data and a reveal of the relationships between health plans and value-based networks across the state. ACO/VBN...
Arizona News

Credentialing Bill Passes House Moves to Senate

Last week, HB 2322 passed unanimously in the House of Representatives 56-0 and now the Arizona Senate takes up the measure designed to speed up the physician credentialing and loading process to 100 days. To ensure House passage of the measure, The Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) lobbyist Steve Barclay negotiated with local health...
Arizona News

AHCCCS Providers Selected for Targeted Investment Program

The program provides financial incentives for providers who increase physical and behavioral healthcare integration and coordination for AHCCCS members with behavioral health needs. The program began October 1, 2017 and ends September 30, 2021. More than 515 locations were accepted from six specialty categories - click the links...
Arizona Comings & Goings

Banner Medical Group Announces New CEO

Family physician Patrick Rankin, M.D. first joined BMG in November 2017 as a physician executive for Arizona West and replaces Mystie Johnson-Foote M.D., who retired from the role in February.   Previously, Dr. Rankin was a chief physician executive of Kalispell Regional Healthcare in Montana, where he focused on...
News

Aetna Pushes Back on Media Coverage of Prior Authorization Process

The news and analysis section of the insurer's website leads with the headline: "Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story - our response to recent media coverage." In an effort to discredit a recent CNN story that launched two state insurance commissioners to question its claims, prior authorization, utilization review and...
Arizona News

Trump Budget Targets Medicaid - $1 Trillion in Cuts

The 2019 budget requests hits insurer and payer hot spots including ACA Medicare risk corridor payments and cost-sharing reductions, uncompensated care payments, Medicare post-acute care costs and even graduate medical education. Trump’s proposal outlines his administration’s priorities – Congress makes the decisions. Budget...
Arizona Comings & Goings

Health Choice CEO Mike Uchrin Steps Down

Under Uchrin's leadership, Health Choice grew from a small Arizona Medicaid plan into a multi-state managed care organization operating health plans and accountable care networks.Troy Smith, Health Choice’s COO, will serve as interim division CEO after Uchrin's departure March 16. Uchrin has been with Health Choice for 15...
AHCCCS Complete Care Bidders Announced Arizona News

AHCCCS Complete Care Bidders Announced

AHCCCS Complete Care will integrate physical and behavioral health care contracts for the majority of the 1.9 million AHCCCS members. Seven managed care organizations (MCOs) submitted their proposals to serve AHCCCS members across all three geographic services areas in Arizona. Magellan Complete Care of Arizona, Inc. ...
Arizona Comings & Goings

New Chief Clinical Officer - Banner Health

Marjorie Bessel, MD, replaces John Hensing, MD, as chief clinical officer, who announced his retirement last year. Bessel has been with the top health system in the valley for more than a decade and has served in a variety of physician leadership positions including her role as CMO for several Banner hospitals in the Phoenix metro...
Page 1 of 45123...
© The Hertel Report 2017. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy