Dr. Frist seeks doctors' help in rebuilding Columbia/HCA

Article Abstract:

Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp CEO and Chmn Thomas F. Frist Jr. has issued an eight-point plan to redefine the company's focus on quality patient care. Among Frist's eight strategies are eliminating equity stakes in local hospitals for physicians and discontinuing the annual cash incentive for employees. Frist also wants the hospital giant to review its Medicare coding and cost reporting. Frist became Columbia/HCA's new CEO after founder Richard L. Scott was forced to resign in the wake of a federal investigation into medicare billing practices at the company.

Frist, Thomas F., Jr.

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Marshfield Clinic faces class-action lawsuit

Article Abstract:

Marshfield Clinic and its health maintenance organization (HMO), Security Health Plan, are being sued by Henry and Joanna Rozema for overcharging for their services. The Rozema's suit follows the antitrust suit brought against Marshfield by Blue Cross and Blue Shield United of Wisconsin which found that the physician group was guilty of illegally dividing the market with a rival HMO. Ten thousand Security members potentially stand to be compensated should the Rozema's suit prove successful.

HEALTH SERVICES, Health Maintenance Organizations, HMO Medical Centers, Cases, Antitrust law, Price gouging, Marshfield Clinic, Security Health Plan

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Columbia/HCA on hospital buying spree

Article Abstract:

Voluntary hospitals face two threats from for-profit hospital chain Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp: the company is quickly buying up hospitals; and its cost efficiencies are hard for nonprofits to match. Federation of American Health Systems Exec Dir Tom Scully explained that shareholder demands force investor-owned hospital companies, such as Columbia/HCA, to operate efficiently. Some observers fear, however, that high efficiency might stifle medical-technology investments.

Mergers, acquisitions and divestments

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