By 2020, the U.S. could find itself more than 90,000 physicians short, according to estimates. Five years later, the shortage could be more than 130,000. An optimistic sign: Nationally, applications and enrollments are increasing at medical schools. But the optimism ...
Read More »Med school enrollments rise, but residency spots are limited
In-hospital ads making no headway in Idaho 
Posters pitching products are common in airport terminals, as are rotating signs selling services at the mall. But advertisements inside hospitals? Health-care facilities have historically adopted more somber tones, but many around the nation are changing that tune as advertisers ...
Read More »Politics color governors’ decisions on Medicaid
Partisan politics are coloring governors’ decisions about whether to expand Medicaid in their states, affecting billions of dollars and thousands of low-income people. The question of whether they receive Medicaid coverage may have little to do with need, and much ...
Read More »About 1,700 Idaho residents selected insurance coverage via state exchange through Nov. 30
State insurance exchange leaders know virtually nothing about the 1,730 people who purchased health coverage available via Your Health Idaho through Nov. 30. Director Amy Dowd said Dec. 11 that Idaho’s reliance on the federal government to enroll people has ...
Read More »Health insurance competition is anemic in most states, AMA study finds 
In 15 states, a single health insurer has a commercial market share of 50 percent or more, according to a new report released by the American Medical Association. Idaho was one of the 15 in 2011, the year for which ...
Read More »Idaho allows carriers to reinstate insurance plans
Idaho will let insurance carriers reinstate coverage for thousands of people who were due to have policies canceled under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter said Dec. 3 he’s asked insurance carriers to consider reinstating coverage ...
Read More »Montana insurer gets loan to expand into Idaho
A nonprofit health insurer in Montana has been granted another $27 million in federal funding to expand into Idaho. The Montana Health CO-OP announced its potential expansion on Dec. 2, Lee Newspapers of Montana reported. MHC President and CEO Jerry ...
Read More »Idaho hospitals focus on family as luxury trends sweep industry 
All they need are mints on the pillows. Hospitals nationwide are embracing trends that pump up the luxury in private patient rooms. Large flat-screen TVs, private refrigerators, new furniture and unlimited Internet access – the sort of amenities that have long defined ...
Read More »ZoomCare to open second Treasure Valley clinic 
ZoomCare, a medical clinic with a convenience-based care and business model, is opening its second Treasure Valley office at The Village at Meridian. The new clinic will be open in mid-January, spokesman Len Bergstein said Nov. 18. It will have ...
Read More »A word with David Schmitz: ‘Patient access to care is an economic development issue’ 
Family medicine physician David Schmitz took over as president of the Idaho Medical Association this summer at a time of great change in the medical industry. Providers, patients and payers are all scrambling to adapt to the changes mandated by ...
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