Cancer Care Providers Announce New Patient-Centered Facility

Area’s Leading Cancer Care Providers Announce New Patient-Centered Facility in Woodbury

February 26, 2007 - ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Minnesota Oncology Hematology, P.A. (MOHPA) and Allina Hospitals & Clinics announced a joint vision for bringing integrated, comprehensive cancer care services to residents of the East Metro Area and Western Wisconsin. Today, the first step in making this vision a reality was taken, as a lease on a new facility at Lake Road and Highway 494 in Woodbury, Minnesota, was finalized. MOHPA and Allina will be joining Metro Urology in the Cornerstone Medical Specialty Centre, which is currently under construction at that location.

“Patients want to get exceptional, integrated, comprehensive cancer services close to home,” said Thomas Flynn, M.D. president, MOHPA. “Our vision is to set the standard for excellence in cancer care in the Upper Midwest by providing fully integrated, comprehensive cancer services, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure, that support research efforts, establish collaborative physician models and deliver care as close to the community as appropriate.”

By co-locating services and sharing technology, the parties said this project will reduce duplication of services and is cost effective.

“By sharing a facility and providing care in the community, we will not only meet the needs of patients by providing holistic and patient-centered care, we also will maximize our facility, technology and expertise and reduce expenses,” explained Mark Mishek, president of United Hospital, part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics. “This is a continuation of MOHPA and Allina’s work together to provide cancer care to the community.”

With this model, Allina and MOHPA can draw on the resources, expertise and best practices of each organization to deliver a new model of care. Specifically, care will be coordinated, integrated and patient-centered. Holistic and integrated therapies, such as massage, nutrition and acupuncture, will be among the services provided to patients. The care experience, from prevention to diagnoses to treatment will be coordinated across specialists to meet the needs of each individual.

“We’re thrilled to have MOHPA and Allina join Metro Urology in our new building in Woodbury” said Randall Thompson, Executive Director, Metro Urology. “Together, we bring exceptional skills, resources and patient care.”

The facility, already under construction, is expected to open in Fall 2007. The facility will serve the 1.8 million residents of the East Metro Area and Western Wisconsin.

About MOPHA

MOHPA is a 40-physician practice made up of specialists in medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology and gynecologic oncology/surgery with 8 clinic sites in the greater Twin Cities area. MOHPA provides comprehensive, integrated care for individuals with cancer and blood disorders. MOHPA clinics provide on-site laboratory services, chemotherapy administration, patient education, nutrition consultations, access to patient advocates, and at some sites radiation therapy, diagnostic imaging services, and a pharmacy specializing in cancer treatments. MOHPA can be found online at www.mohpa.com.

About Allina Hospitals & Clinics

Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, 65 clinics, hospice services, oxygen and equipment, pharmacies, and emergency medical transportation services. Allina Hospitals & Clinics and the latest health information can be found online at www.allina.com.

Contacts

Media Contacts:
MOHPA
Peter Bartling, 651-602-5365 or 612-710-5645
or
United Hospital
Terri Dresen, 651-241-8517

At A Glance

Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Source: via Business Wire Updated  05/25/2006  by company
Headquarters:	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Website:	http://www.allina.com
CEO:	Dick Pettingill
Employees:	22,000
Organization:	Non-profit

Tough Times For Independent Pharmacies

 

Independent Pharmacies Face Tough Times: Many Turning to FLAVORx to Increase Margins and Provide Value-Added Patient Services

Many independent pharmacies are feeling the crunch of health insurance regulations that could force them to shut down or be acquired. Programs such as FLAVORx allow small pharmacies to add unique services and value-added programs for their patients to increase store traffic and drive business.

Bethesda, MD (PRWeb) February 13, 2007 -- A recent article in Fortune Small Business indicated that due to new insurance regulations, many independent pharmacies could be forced to shut down or be acquired. Programs such as Medicare Part D that reduce reimbursement amounts for medications are dealing a substantial blow to independent pharmacy sales that heavily rely on prescriptions. As a result, many independent pharmacies are looking toward unique programs such as FLAVORx that can significantly improve patient care and drive traffic to their stores, as well as increase pharmacy revenue. FLAVORx reports show that system sales to independent pharmacies are up 24% over the prior period last year.

Because prescriptions account for 97% of the average independent pharmacy's sales, reductions in reimbursement amounts, while valuable to the patient, immediately shrink cash flow and margins. A survey of independent pharmacies in Wisconsin showed that 60% expected that new regulations would force them to close. In contrast, chain pharmacies can often rely on front-end sales to compensate for the drop in reimbursement amounts paid to their pharmacies, leaving independent pharmacies particularly vulnerable to being gobbled up by larger competitors.

By offering the FLAVORx flavoring system, pharmacies are able to provide their patients with a unique service that increases medicinal compliance, and also reduces the struggles associated with bad-tasting and foul-smelling medications. Independent research studies in pediatric patients have shown that FLAVORx increases medication adherence rates and quality of life scores dramatically.

The FLAVORx system is easy-to-use, and the flavoring process itself can be completed in less than 2 minutes. New technology is being completed to streamline even this fast procedure. Soon it will be so easy that it will take less then half this time and effort. The efficiency of the system allows flavoring to keep up with the demanding schedule that many pharmacists and technicians face on a day to day basis. Flavoring assistance is also available 24 hours a day. FLAVORx has developed a range of systems to meet the individual and diverse demands of independent pharmacies, such that pharmacies may participate in the FLAVORx program that is most beneficial to their needs and the needs of their patients.

Many independent pharmacies find that flavoring has become key to developing relationships and increasing customer loyalty. According to a pharmacist from Sand Point Clinic Pharmacy in Seattle, WA, "We have a good rapport with the families that come in. It's a rewarding moment when a family can come in and say, 'we trust you, pick what ever flavor you think will work [for the medication, and you always pick the right ones'." Mitchell Melone, RPh, from Lakeville Pharmacy in New Hyde Park, NY notes that people have come to them from outside of the area to have their medications flavored. "It's rewarding when people come to us specifically for [FLAVORx flavoring instead of other pharmacies because they know it really works," adds Melone.

FLAVORx also stands firmly behind the independent pharmacies. "Because I grew up working in my father's small independent pharmacy, I'm an avid supporter of keeping these businesses alive and successful. I've always been a strong proponent of a system and service that can help out the little guys," says Kenny Kramm, FLAVORx President and CEO.

For more information, please visit www.flavorx.com or contact Teresa Chen at 800.884.5771.

About FLAVORx
FLAVORx is a pharmaceutical flavoring system used by pharmacists and veterinarians nationwide to improve the palatability of liquid over-the-counter and prescription medications. To date, FLAVORx has flavored over 40 million prescriptions without any incidence of allergy, adverse reaction or changes in efficacy. FLAVORx flavors are non-allergenic, dye-free, sugar-free, phosphate-free and alcohol-free, making them safe for all patients.

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Press Contact: TERESA CHEN
Company Name: FLAVORx, Inc.
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 240.223.0953
Website: www.flavorx.com

Health Savings Accounts Shopping Tips

 

HSAEd.com Offers Shopping Tips for Your HSA

HSA Ed.com, "America's #1 Educational Resource for Health Savings Accounts," is offering some tips on finding the right Health Savings Account (HSA) for you. There are a number of HSA providers and many have different costs and fees that go with their different programs.

Lake Geneva, WI (PRWeb) February 6, 2007 -- HSA Ed.com, "America's #1 Educational Resource for Health Savings Accounts," is offering some tips on finding the right Health Savings Account (HSA) for you. There are a number of HSA providers and many have different costs and fees that go with their different programs.

Set Up Fee
Although you can find a number of HSA providers offering free account set-up, a one time HSA set up fee ranging from $15 to $35 is normal in the industry.

Monthly Fees
Monthly Fees can range from $1 to as high as $10 per month. Some providers charge every month, no matter what your HSA balance is, while others charge depending on your HSA balance and stop charging when your balance reaches $1,000, while some require balances up to $3,000 or higher.

Employers setting up a group for your employees should be on the look out for this. If you are going to funding employee's HSA accounts through a payroll deduction plan, your employees will be paying the monthly fees for a long time until they reach the cut off point, which could add up quickly over time.

Ask what you're getting for these fees. Some people may find value in the different services for which some HSA providers charge fees. No two HSAs are going to be used the same, so these are questions only you can answer. There are plenty of providers that do not charge monthly fees, so shop around.

Annual Fees
Some providers have switched to an annual fee, because you only see the fee once a year. Once again, ask what you're getting for these fees. If you find value, these fees could be well worth it.

Closing Fee
This is something to stay away from at all costs. If you are unhappy with the fees or for some other reasons you no longer want to have your money with that HSA provider, they should not charge you to move your money. If they had done a good job, you would not be moving your HSA, so why do you have to pay them one last time?

Using Your HSA
If you have a favorite credit card, perhaps one that earns your points or airline miles, pay your qualified health care expenses with that card to receive the miles or points. You can always reimburse yourself from your HSA at a later date, which doesn't even have to be within the same year.

Funding your HSA
With these new enhanced HSA contribution limits for 2007 and beyond, HSAEd.com highly recommends you fully fund your HSA. If you are currently funding an IRA or 401(k), you should consider funding your HSA first, as you can always get access to these funds for you and your dependents for qualified health care expenses while still receiving the tax benefits.

About HSAed.com
HSAed.com has been developed to provide consumers, agents and the press the most up- to-date information regarding health savings accounts, consumer directed health care and wellness. HSAed.com is committed to providing the educational materials and tools needed in order for individuals to direct their own health care.

>From banks to insurance agents specializing in qualified high deductible health insurance plans and HSAs, HSAed.com can help by connecting health agents and brokers with consumers who want to take responsibility for their health and health care dollars.

For more information call 262-348-1300, or visit www.HSAed.com

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Press Contact: TIMOTHY MORALES
Company Name: HSA Clearing Corp
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 262-348-1300
Website: http://www.hsaed.com