Walgreens cries foul over BlueCross business on Nashville City Paper: "Walgreens cries foul over BlueCross business
By: Walker Duncan, walker.duncan@nashvillepost.com
Posted: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 12:07 am
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Walgreens cries foul over BlueCross business | Walgreens, Caremark, BlueCross BlueShield, CVS Corp.
Walgreens is claiming, in a lawsuit filed Tuesday, Caremark engaged in unfair trade practices.
As the latest move in a continued bout of head-butting, Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain, has filed a lawsuit in Tennessee’s Middle District Court accusing pharmacy benefits manager Caremark of unfair trade practices.
The lawsuit claims that Caremark Rx — Nashville’s largest publicly traded company until it was bought by Rhode Island-based CVS Corp. — has tried to block Walgreens from taking part in BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s mail order and specialty pharmacy networks.
In 2005, Walgreens sent a letter to BlueCross asking to participate in the networks on the same terms as others providers. At the time, Caremark both administered BlueCross’ mail-order network and was a preferred provider in the insurer’s specialty pharmacy network. The complaint alleges that BlueCross instructed Caremark to provide Walgreens with the terms of its own participation.
According to Walgreens, Caremark refused and instead “"
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
THA Develops Tennessee Center for Patient Safety
Darlene Swart has been named vice president and project director of the Tennessee Center for Patient Safety (TCPS), which
was developed by THA. She begins her new job May 29. The center, funded by
THA has launched the center to support and accelerate hospital patient safety and quality improvement efforts. The primary
purpose of the center will be to channel education, resources and support services to help hospitals in the state focus on implementing
evidence-based practices to improve patient safety and performance on national quality measures.
The center plans to reduce healthcare-acquired infections through the implementation of evidence-based strategies targeting
central line bloodstream infections, surgical site infections and surgical complications. The collaborative will build on hospitals’
prior work through the quality improvement organization (QIO) and other projects, such as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s
(IHI) “5 Million Lives” campaign initiatives to prevent harm. THA plans to engage national faculty to lead the collaborative
and provide education, as well as develop a state mentor network to share best practices.
The nursing partners collaborative, led by THA and the Tennessee Organization of Nurse Executives (TONE), will focus on the
linkages between nursing workforce, work environment and patient outcomes. The project will share strategies and best practices
to build a culture of safety and teamwork as one of the project focus areas.
was developed by THA. She begins her new job May 29. The center, funded by
Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Tennessee,will be under the direction of the THA clinical and professional practices department.
THA has launched the center to support and accelerate hospital patient safety and quality improvement efforts. The primary
purpose of the center will be to channel education, resources and support services to help hospitals in the state focus on implementing
evidence-based practices to improve patient safety and performance on national quality measures.
The center plans to reduce healthcare-acquired infections through the implementation of evidence-based strategies targeting
central line bloodstream infections, surgical site infections and surgical complications. The collaborative will build on hospitals’
prior work through the quality improvement organization (QIO) and other projects, such as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s
(IHI) “5 Million Lives” campaign initiatives to prevent harm. THA plans to engage national faculty to lead the collaborative
and provide education, as well as develop a state mentor network to share best practices.
The nursing partners collaborative, led by THA and the Tennessee Organization of Nurse Executives (TONE), will focus on the
linkages between nursing workforce, work environment and patient outcomes. The project will share strategies and best practices
to build a culture of safety and teamwork as one of the project focus areas.
BlueCross Unveils Design for New Corporate Campus
<b>BlueCross Unveils Design for New Corporate Campus</b>: "June 22, 2006
BlueCross Unveils Design for New Corporate Campus
Focus Remains on Efficiency of Operations and Commitment to Downtown
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee today officially revealed the design for its new corporate campus at a Chattanooga Rotary Club presentation made by Roger Staubach and Turan Duda.
“It was an honor to help publicly unveil the plans for BlueCross’ new headquarters and present the shared vision for both the company and the downtown area,” said Staubach, CEO of The Staubach Company, a national real estate consulting firm overseeing the campus project.
That vision presents itself in a configuration of five connected buildings that reaches out to the City of Chattanooga.
“As we’ve designed the campus, we’ve taken into account the needs of not only the company and its members, but also the employees who make it run and its community,” said Duda, a partner with Duda/Paine Architects, which is charged with the overall facility design. “That design balances many needs such as providing a welcoming environment while addressing security issues.”
Four of the proposed office buildings will have five floors approximately 200,000 square feet each. These will house employees and daily operations. The fifth"
BlueCross Unveils Design for New Corporate Campus
Focus Remains on Efficiency of Operations and Commitment to Downtown
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee today officially revealed the design for its new corporate campus at a Chattanooga Rotary Club presentation made by Roger Staubach and Turan Duda.
“It was an honor to help publicly unveil the plans for BlueCross’ new headquarters and present the shared vision for both the company and the downtown area,” said Staubach, CEO of The Staubach Company, a national real estate consulting firm overseeing the campus project.
That vision presents itself in a configuration of five connected buildings that reaches out to the City of Chattanooga.
“As we’ve designed the campus, we’ve taken into account the needs of not only the company and its members, but also the employees who make it run and its community,” said Duda, a partner with Duda/Paine Architects, which is charged with the overall facility design. “That design balances many needs such as providing a welcoming environment while addressing security issues.”
Four of the proposed office buildings will have five floors approximately 200,000 square feet each. These will house employees and daily operations. The fifth"
BlueCross Unveils Design for New Corporate Campus
<b>BlueCross Unveils Design for New Corporate Campus</b>: "About BlueCross
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is the state's oldest and largest not-for-profit health plan, serving nearly 3 million Tennesseans. Founded in 1945, the Chattanooga-based company is focused on financing affordable health care coverage and providing peace of mind for all Tennesseans. BlueCross serves its members by delivering quality health care products, services and information. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.bcbst.com
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is the state's oldest and largest not-for-profit health plan, serving nearly 3 million Tennesseans. Founded in 1945, the Chattanooga-based company is focused on financing affordable health care coverage and providing peace of mind for all Tennesseans. BlueCross serves its members by delivering quality health care products, services and information. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.bcbst.com
Cameron Hill Q&As - BCBST.com
Cameron Hill Q&As - BCBST.com: "Will insurance rates increase to pay for the new building?
No. In fact, we believe that with the increase in administrative efficiency that the new office complex will bring, it will allow us to keep insurance rates as low as possible.
How will the building project be financed?
The construction of the new corporate campus is being financed via a combination of an attractive low-interest rate loan and self-funding from our reserves. We feel this is the most fiscally prudent way to pay for the project andhelp us to make health care more affordable for our members.
You originally estimated a $226 million price tag on the construction of 800,000 square feet of office space, what are your most recent projections for space and cost?
Our construction budget is now $299 million for 950,000 square feet—an increase over our October 2003 baseline projections.
Several factors have contributed to the size and cost increases. During our original space planning, we took an efficiency-based approach to our needs. We wanted the most economical way to build the campus. Once we began work with our workplace strategy firm, the focus shifted to effectiveness—how our growing employee base works best together, universal workstations, and health and professional development centered areas.
Next, construction costs are up 20 per"
No. In fact, we believe that with the increase in administrative efficiency that the new office complex will bring, it will allow us to keep insurance rates as low as possible.
How will the building project be financed?
The construction of the new corporate campus is being financed via a combination of an attractive low-interest rate loan and self-funding from our reserves. We feel this is the most fiscally prudent way to pay for the project andhelp us to make health care more affordable for our members.
You originally estimated a $226 million price tag on the construction of 800,000 square feet of office space, what are your most recent projections for space and cost?
Our construction budget is now $299 million for 950,000 square feet—an increase over our October 2003 baseline projections.
Several factors have contributed to the size and cost increases. During our original space planning, we took an efficiency-based approach to our needs. We wanted the most economical way to build the campus. Once we began work with our workplace strategy firm, the focus shifted to effectiveness—how our growing employee base works best together, universal workstations, and health and professional development centered areas.
Next, construction costs are up 20 per"
Cameron Hill Q&As - BCBST.com
Cameron Hill Q&As - BCBST.com: "With insurance premiums continuing to rise, how can you justify the cost of a new office complex?
Actually, this investment will optimize our business processes and activities and control costs over the long term. Administrative inefficiencies caused by having employees located in several different areas add considerable costs to our operations. Our analyses have predicted that our workforce could be up to one-third more efficient with a consolidated office complex.
In addition, our present buildings, which have an average age of 67 yrs, would require considerable expenditures over the next decade to keep them in suitable condition, especially to comply with stringent government security regulations. The efficiencies gained by building a facility to meet our specific needs will allow us to reduce our total space requirements. We strongly believe that a consolidated office complex is a wise investment that will help us better serve our members."
Actually, this investment will optimize our business processes and activities and control costs over the long term. Administrative inefficiencies caused by having employees located in several different areas add considerable costs to our operations. Our analyses have predicted that our workforce could be up to one-third more efficient with a consolidated office complex.
In addition, our present buildings, which have an average age of 67 yrs, would require considerable expenditures over the next decade to keep them in suitable condition, especially to comply with stringent government security regulations. The efficiencies gained by building a facility to meet our specific needs will allow us to reduce our total space requirements. We strongly believe that a consolidated office complex is a wise investment that will help us better serve our members."
AACN - Media - Nursing Shortage Resource
AACN - Media - Nursing Shortage Resource: "September 2006
* Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST) Health Foundation has awarded Vanderbilt University a $2.48 million, four-year grant to study premature births in high-risk women. This is the largest grant ever made by BCBST, and it will make a significant collaborative project possible that may save babies' lives and millions of dollars in health care money for Tennesseans. The grant funds Tennessee Connections for Better Birth Outcomes, a research project led by Dr. Patricia Temple, professor of Pediatrics and medical director for Nurses for Newborns, and Dr. Melanie Lutenbacher, associate professor of Nursing and Pediatrics and director of the PhD in Nursing Science Program at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing."
* Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST) Health Foundation has awarded Vanderbilt University a $2.48 million, four-year grant to study premature births in high-risk women. This is the largest grant ever made by BCBST, and it will make a significant collaborative project possible that may save babies' lives and millions of dollars in health care money for Tennesseans. The grant funds Tennessee Connections for Better Birth Outcomes, a research project led by Dr. Patricia Temple, professor of Pediatrics and medical director for Nurses for Newborns, and Dr. Melanie Lutenbacher, associate professor of Nursing and Pediatrics and director of the PhD in Nursing Science Program at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing."
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