Biography for Dina Overland

Dina Overland is the editor of FierceHealthPayer. Prior to working with FierceMarkets, Dina wrote monthly newsletters on HIPAA and medical privacy issues, nursing home regulations, and food labeling laws. She also blogged for Prevention magazine. Based in the New Orleans area, Dina is a freelance writer, blogger, and indexer. She has a passion for maintaining a healthful, balanced lifestyle that incorporates many alternative and holistic medicines. Dina can be reached at [email protected]. Follow @HealthPayer on Twitter and find her on LinkedIn.

Articles by Dina Overland

Can a state save a health plan by taking it over?

After seizing control of non-profit insurer Alameda Alliance for Health, California state regulators are preparing to turn the helm back over to its own board. But the state will continue monitoring the insurer and requires it meets certain conditions before it can fully regain control.

Massachusetts health costs rise almost 5%, report finds

Insurers operating in Massachusetts, a closely watched state for its plan to lower costs and provide healthcare for all residents, haven't successfully saved money yet--though they have boosted alternative payments to providers.

Have insurers established ICD-10 accommodation periods?

As the Oct. 1 ICD-10 deadline inches closer, many insurers haven't announced whether they have implemented accommodation periods--when they will pay claims that aren't coded correctly as long as they're in the right family of codes, reports Health Data Management.

Blue Shield executives got $24M boost in pay in 2012

Blue Shield of California, which is a nonprofit insurer, boosted pay to its executive employees by $24 million in 2012--an increase of 64 percent from the previous year, according to a confidential state audit reviewed the Los Angeles Times.

The trouble with letting insurers sell plans across state lines

While some Republicans are proposing to let insurers sell national plans to expand consumer choice and lower costs, many healthcare experts say this idea wouldn't increase market competition.

Survey: Specialty drug costs could rise 23% next year

Pharmacy costs will likely continue to increase next year, with specialty drugs driving much of that cost growth, according to a new survey from Aon Hewitt.

Michigan Blues' value-based payments save $1.4B in 10 years

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has saved $1.4 billion in health expenses over the last 10 years with its comprehensive value-based payment program that serves almost 2 million members. It also has improved clinical quality, efficiency and health outcomes.

AHIP: How insurers can improve price transparency tools

Insurers have launched more price transparency initiatives to empower their members to become more engaged in and make more informed choices about their healthcare, according to a new issue brief from America's Health Insurance Plans.

Why insurers should be watching New Jersey ACOs

New Jersey has certified three of six applicants for its Medicaid Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Demonstration Project. And insurers could benefit by following the three community coalitions--the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, the Healthy Greater Newark ACO and the Trenton Health Team--during the three-year demonstration project. 

Medicaid to save billions as antipsychotic drug patents expire

Medicaid will likely save billions of dollars each year when patents for five antipsychotic medications expire, allowing the state-federal health insurance program to offer generic versions for its members.