December 2015
Our e-newsletter for Enterprise Risk Management, Claim Settlement and Healthcare Solutions.
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
With all the turmoil and uncertainty around the world facing financial institutions, leading Enterprise Risk Management officials describe the most significant issues they now confront, and how the issues will impact the immediate future of ERM at their firms. A new Deloitte Survey questioned Chief Risk Officers (or their equivalent) from 71 major financial institutions from around the world about which types of risk they think will increase the most in importance for their business over the next two years. To discover their thoughts and plans, please click here >>
Claim Settlement, Medicare, and Medicare Set Asides
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an interactive online mapping tool which shows geographic comparisons at the state, county, and ZIP code levels of Medicare Part D opioid prescription claims within the United States. This new mapping tool allows the user to see both the number and percentage of opioid claims at the local level and better understand how this critical issue impacts communities nationwide. For more information about the tool with a direct link, please click here >>
Additionally, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently issued its most recent Annual Report with highlights including the size and scope of the program, the profiles of the beneficiaries, and the categories of diagnosis of disability. Risk and Claim Managers, along with their teams and attorneys should understand the implications. For insights and historical statistics about the Social Security Disability Insurance program, please click here >>
Healthcare
In a recent Optogenetics study, which is a biological technique involving the use of light to control cells in living tissue, researchers have developed new wireless devices to block pain in mice. This research may provide significant therapies in the future for all pain related healthcare matters. To learn more about this novel research, please click here >>
In another development, chronic neck pain has been shown to be reduced with proven techniques. A recent trial to evaluate clinical effectiveness of Alexander Technique lessons or acupuncture versus usual care for persons with chronic, nonspecific neck pain has shown promise versus usual care over a 12 month period. For more information about the study, please click here >>