Biography for Leslie Small
Leslie Small is an editor for FierceHealthcare. Before joining Fierce, she worked as an editor for newspapers in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Staunton, Virginia; and the Delaware County Daily Times in her native suburban Philadelphia. She holds a B.A. in journalism and political science from Penn State University, and is an avid—if sometimes tortured—Philly sports fan. She enjoys exploring new places, trying new restaurants, visiting museums, reading, hiking and pretending to be good at snowboarding.
Articles by Leslie Small
Medicare Part B proposals too broad and could hurt patients, groups say
In a letter sent Thursday, 316 healthcare and patient advocacy groups urged leaders in both houses of Congress to ask the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to withdraw its proposal for new Medicare Part B payment models.
Highmark unveils bundled-payment model for cancer care
Following in the footsteps of other major insurers, Highmark will debut a bundled-payment initiative aimed at paying for value in cancer care, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
CEO Mark Bertolini: Aetna, Humana starting early to align cultures
Recognizing that cultural cohesion can make or break a merger, Aetna and Humana are being proactive about aligning the two companies' cultures while their deal awaits regulatory approval, according to Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini.
Physician leader: Why I support the Anthem-Cigna merger
Although powerful provider groups have voiced their opposition to the two major health insurer mergers, one physician leader says he believes that the combination of Anthem and Cigna will help providers and insurers work together to increase care quality and lower costs.
Hearing hashes out pros, cons of Medicare Advantage's growing role
At a congressional hearing about ensuring the fiscal stability of the Medicare program, experts and lawmakers discussed the role Medicare Advantage plans have played in altering how Medicare operates--and what role they should play in the future.
How House Republicans' budget plan would affect Medicaid
House Republicans' proposed budget plan would have a major impact on Medicaid, cutting funding for the program by a total of about $2.1 trillion over the next decade, according to a blog post from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have fewer preventable hospitalizations
Medicare Advantage beneficiaries experience fewer avoidable hospitalizations than those enrolled in traditional fee-for-service Medicare plans, suggesting that MA plans may be more effective at coordinating preventive care, according to a new study.
Humana bases executive pay on member health outcome measures
Amid the industry's shift to performance-based provider payments, one health insurer is taking the trend a step further by tying executive bonuses to members' health outcomes.
Customer engagement strategies for pioneering payers
Customers are now more educated, more particular and less loyal than ever before when it comes to their health insurance choices, leaving payers little choice but to adapt their customer-engagement strategies to this new reality, according to a new report from IDC Health Insights.
Feds turn focus to preventing customer churn on ACA exchanges
Now that the Affordable Care Act's third open enrollment period has come to a close, Obama administration officials have turned their attention to ensuring that as few customers as possible drop their coverage.
