Biography for Alicia Caramenico
Alicia Caramenico is the senior editor of FierceHealthPayer and its related publications. Before joining FierceMarkets, she was a web production/multimedia intern at the non-profit Education Week. For almost two years she worked as a publications intern at RiskMetrics Group, a risk management and corporate governance firm in Rockville, Md. Alicia holds a B.A. in print journalism from American University in Washington, D.C. She enjoys reading and playing with her English bulldog. Alicia can be reached at [email protected]. Follow @FierceHealth and @HealthPayer on Twitter and find her on LinkedIn.
Articles by Alicia Caramenico
Medical tourism gains popularity with health insurers
Cost challenges under healthcare reform have caused major U.S. health insurers to jump onto the medical tourism trend. UnitedHealth Group, WellPoint and Humana are looking to curb expenses by encouraging their members to receive medical tourism procedures abroad.
Horizon BCBSNJ invests in tech for better provider relations, patient care
As health insurance becomes more retail-based and consumer-oriented, insurers need the right technology to adapt to the ever-evolving environment. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is focusing its technology resources on developing new relationships with providers, such as patient-centered medical homes and accountable care organizations, Horizon BCBSNJ CIO Doug Blackwell told FierceHealthPayer in an exclusive interview.
Insurers push for change to medical-loss ratio
The health insurance industry is urging lawmakers to amend the Affordable Care Act's medical-loss ratio provision, The Fiscal Times reported. It wants payments to brokers and agents excluded from administrative costs.
Feds exempt insurers in US territories from healthcare reform regs
Health insurers overburdened with Affordable Care Act implementation could consider a move to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has granted a myriad of reform exemptions in U.S. territories.
Stephen Hemsley: UnitedHealth will embrace exchanges in 2015
"By participating moderately this year, and then watching closely and listening, we have learned about pricing, networks, regulatory structures, distribution, and the consumer's mindset," said UnitedHealth President Stephen Hemsley.
Medicare, Part D plans must scrutinize pharmacy benefit manager practices, relationships
Insurers in Medicare Advantage and Part D should evaluate their practices and relationships with pharmacy benefit managers to ensure better quality and member experience.
Florida Blue VP talks female leadership success
Florida's largest health insurer can count Vice President of Product Elana Schrader, M.D., among the growing ranks of women who have leading roles at health plans, according to Florida Blue Radio.
OIG to target insurance exchange risk areas
Federal health officials yesterday testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Health about healthcare reform eligibility issues.
IBC: ACOs require provider input, engagement
Developing an accountable care organization that motivates doctors to participate and deliver high-quality, low-cost care can be a lot like building a baseball diamond in a corn field. If you build it, will they really come to visit?
Should insurers cover sex-reassignment surgery?
Now that Medicare is covering sex-reassignment surgery, transgender advocates have set their sights on getting all insurers to include the controversial medical procedure in their health plans, Politico reported.
