Blue Cross Blue Shield Loses Case – Sets up $2.67 Billion Settlement Fund

Period Affected is 2020 thru 2008

blue cross blue shield settlement

blue cross blue shield settlement

SEATTLEApril 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — On November 30, 2020, the Honorable R. David Proctor of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama granted preliminary approval of the class action Settlement in the In re: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation MDL 2406, N.D. Ala. Master File No. 2:13-cv-20000-RDP.

What is the lawsuit about?

Plaintiffs claim that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Settling Individual Blue Plans (collectively, “Settling Defendants”) violated antitrust laws by illegally entering into an agreement not to compete with each other and to restrict competition among themselves in selling health insurance and administrative services for health insurance. Settling Defendants deny all claims and have asserted that their conduct results in lower health care costs and greater access to care for its customers. The Court has not decided who is right.

Who is affected?

You may be eligible to receive payment if you are an IndividualInsured Group (and their employees) or Self-Funded Account (and their employees) that purchased or were enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plan during one of the two Settlement Class Periods. Government accounts are excluded from the Class.

The Settlement Class Period for Individuals and Insured Groups is from February 7, 2008 through October 16, 2020. The Settlement Class Period for Self-Funded Accounts is from September 1, 2015 through October 16, 2020.  Dependents, beneficiaries (including minors), and non-employees are NOT eligible to receive payment.

All IndividualsInsured Groups, and Self-Funded Accounts that purchased or were enrolled in a Blue Cross or Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plan from February 7, 2008 through October 16, 2020 will also benefit from the provisions of the Settlement requiring Settling Defendants to change certain of their practices that were alleged to be anticompetitive. Dependents, beneficiaries (including minors), and non-employees will benefit from this part of the Settlement.

Here is the site — https://www.bcbssettlement.com/

This class action is called In re: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation MDL 2406, N.D. Ala., Master File No. 2:13-cv-20000-RDP and is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama Southern Division. U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor is overseeing this class action.

Plaintiffs allege that Settling Defendants violated antitrust laws by entering into an agreement where the Settling Defendants agreed not to compete with each other in selling health insurance and administration of Commercial Health Benefit Products in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as agreeing to other means of limiting competition in the market for health insurance and administration of Commercial Health Benefit Products. Settling Defendants deny all allegations of wrongdoing. They assert that their conduct results in lower healthcare costs and greater access to care for their customers. The Court has not decided who is right or wrong. Instead, Plaintiffs and Settling Defendants have agreed to a Settlement to avoid the risk and cost of further litigation.

Why A Settlement?

The Court did not decide in favor of the Plaintiffs or Settling Defendants. Instead, both sides have agreed to the Settlement. Both sides want to avoid the risk and cost of further litigation. The Plaintiffs and their attorneys think the Settlement is best for the Settlement Classes.

Facial Recognition Cedars-Sinai To Detect Fraudsters

facial recognition

From Reuters Apr2021

Why a U.S. hospital and oil company turned to facial recognition

Excerpt:

Organizations in other industries are chasing similar goals. The Los Angeles hospital Cedars-Sinai and oil giant BP Plc (BP.L) are among several previously unreported users of AnyVision.

Cedars-Sinai’s main hospital uses AnyVision facial recognition to give staff a heads-up about individuals known for violence, drug fraud or using different names at the emergency room, three sources said.

Cedars said it “does not publicly discuss our security programs” and could not confirm the information.

Meanwhile, BP has used facial recognition for at least two years at its Houston campus to help security staff detect people on a watchlist because they trespassed before or issued threats, two sources said.

BP declined to comment.

Other noted users:

Some notable decliners

  • Amazon
  • Comcast
  • LV Sands
  • MGM Sands

Worth noting Microsoft divested from AnyVision due to ethical concerns

More coverage and background of AnyVision on IPVM

Senior Living Technology – Assisted Living Technology for facilities

senior-living-technology-frank-mayer-marquee

Kiosks Benefit Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes

In a recent survey of senior housing professionals, 80% of the respondents indicated their facilities increased their tech budget to help address issues caused by the pandemic.  This number is expected to increase in 2021.  Investing in telehealth kiosks, check-in technology, remote patient monitoring and more can go well beyond the pandemic, though, offering staff, residents, and guests conveniences and efficiency.

With numerous features and style options, we have kiosks that fit your unique needs and aesthetics.  See below for our full line, and read further for ways to best use senior living kiosks in your center.

Increase efficiency and improve satisfaction with senior living kiosks.

Staff

Self-service kiosks can provide staff with on-site training solutions and time card keeping as well as offer quick points of care for patients.

Residents

Allow residents to check their schedules, sign up for new activities, and communicate with other residents, staff, or family members.

Guests

Kiosks can help guests check in as well as navigate the facility and join their loved ones in specific locations.

Using Digital Signage for Wayfinding in Hospitals

Digital Signage Hospitals

From AcquireDigital

Let’s face it, hospitals are nothing short of mazes—especially for first-time visitors to a particular one. Without clearly presented directions on how to arrive at the ward or room a visitor is looking for, wandering is inevitable. This means crowded hallways filled with lost and frustrated visitors.

In some situations, patients can even miss appointments due to an inability to find their destination. A whopping $150bn is wasted per year on missed appointments, and although wayfinding (or lack thereof) isn’t responsible for all of these, it’s certainly a major contributing factor.

This is why digital signage specifically designed for patient wayfinding can not only help patients and visitors in a hospital, but it can even help healthcare professionals navigate quickly, increasing hospital efficiency.

How to Improve Wayfinding in Hospitals

With a network of digital screens and kiosks installed across hospitals, navigation can be a much simpler, less stressful experience for all.

By introducing digital directories, users can be given the ability to search for everything from doctors’ names, locations of departments or offices, and even where to get a bite to eat. Plus, in the near future, we could also see users (with additional security protocols in place, of course) pull up exactly where a friend or relative may be staying. Because they’re digital, they’re also easier to update than traditional directories and can be rolled out instantaneously.

Overhead signage can provide patient wayfinding by helping people identify their current location in the hospital. If circumstances change, updates can be made by members of staff in just a few minutes.

For rooms, digital screens presenting room numbers and doctor/patient names can also help people navigate where they need to be without having to ask staff members where to go.

GPS google maps style tracking/mapping can also be used to successfully improve wayfinding in hospital environments.

Digital Mapping/Tracking

Medical Center.jpg

Nowadays, many places we visit have some form of digital or 3D map showing us a blueprint of the place; airports, shopping malls, and even city centers. Yet in hospital settings, it’s still pretty uncommon. Through the introduction of accessible mapping and tracking which can be accessed via kiosks or mobile phones, patients and practitioners will have a clearer view of where they need to be.

Although digital check-in in hospitals has increased over the last few years, this, unfortunately, is usually the limit of its use. Now, however, forward-thinking hospitals have the chance to create a much more user-friendly, fluid interface where check-in kiosks are integrated with digital mapping technology and signage making hospital wayfinding in the biggest facilities much easier.

How exactly does this work?

Upon check-in, interactive maps on the screen will allow the user to see exactly where they need to be in the hospital. Then, for those who have smartphones, the hospital map can be downloaded in seconds so they can be guided the entire way.

Maps can be downloaded in multiple ways, but the most practical is either by scanning a QR code or with a text link sent to the user’s mobile. This can then open up a webpage with the map and ‘blue dot’ tracking, or prompt the user to download an app for a more optimized experience.

Of course, there are some accessibility concerns with hospital mobile wayfinding, especially when considering the older population. They may not have access to a smartphone or know how to use digital signage tech effectively enough for it to work. However, in these scenarios, digital kiosks placed at intersections of the hospital could act as a guide, as well as overhead signage, which is a dramatic improvement on traditional methods of wayfinding.

The Bottom Line

Digital signage presents a unique opportunity to overcome one of the biggest issues people face when visiting large hospitals. It allows for a smoother visit and fewer missed appointments, saving time and money for both patient and medical professionals.

The introduction of intuitive and accessible digital signage will not just give visitors and patience a better experience, but staff will be able to navigate easier, even when they’re new to the hospital, and wait times could even be decreased due to more streamlined operations.

In short, hospital mapping and wayfinding with digital signage and touch screen kiosks is an ideal solution for improving patient experience and increasing the efficiency of your hospital. It provides a technological boost that can help set a hospital apart from others.

Contactless Temperature Kiosk Portfolio Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc.

Screen for symptoms of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases using temperature kiosks that utilize sophisticated fever-detection technology and customizable health screening questions.

Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. Logo and link

Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. Logo and link

Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. offers two temperature kiosks with a variety of capabilities to meet your needs.

Which one is right for your business?

Contactless Temperature Kiosk (Wrist Only Style)

The best temperature screening kiosk for touch-free monitoring, our Contactless Temperature Kiosk quickly checks body temperatures using an infrared sensor on the wrist.

contactless kiosk temperature wrist

contactless kiosk temperature wrist

Customized with a contactless ID reader and wrist scan, the temperature kiosk is an efficient way to screen groups of people quickly and in a safe manner.

Screen for symptoms of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases using temperature kiosks that utilize sophisticated fever-detection technology and customizable health screening questions. The best temperature screening kiosk for touch-free monitoring, our Contactless Temperature Kiosk quickly checks body temperatures using an infrared sensor on the wrist. Customized with a contactless ID reader and wrist scan, the temperature kiosk is an efficient way to screen groups of people quickly and in a safe manner. For more information contact [email protected] or visit Contactless Temperature Reader Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. — YouTube Link

 

Temperature Screening Kiosk

Screen employees and visitors using sophisticated temperature sensor technology and health compliance questions.

Temperature Screening Kiosk Frank Mayer Forehead and Wrist

Temperature Screening Kiosk Frank Mayer Forehead and Wrist

A comprehensive solution to promote workplace safety, the temperature screening kiosk not only monitors employee and visitor temperatures but also features customizable health compliance questions to identify high-risk symptoms or scenarios.

Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. Temperature Scan Kiosk. Here is the YouTube link and video below.


Be sure and browse all of the Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc. videos available on their YouTube channel

More News From Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc.

Best In KLAS 2021 Software Services

KLAS Best 2021

KLAS Best 2021

From KLAS Feb 2021

The Best in KLAS report recognizes software and services companies who excel in helping healthcare professionals improve patient care. All rankings are a direct result of the feedback of thousands of providers over the last year. A Best in KLAS award signifies to the healthcare IT industry the commitment and partnership that the top vendors should provide. Read the report to see the top-rated medical software and services for 2021.

Patient Intake Management
Phreesia

91.3

 

Interactive Patient Systems
pCare (TVR Communications)

92.7

 

Patient Portals
Epic MyChart

88.8

PCI Compliance for Unattended Self-Service Kiosks


KIosk Manufacturer Logo

KIosk Manufacturer Logo

WESTMINSTER, Colo.Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA), the leading unattended self-service kiosk association established in 1995, today announced the launch of new initiatives in the PCI Compliance space for unattended self-service kiosks. Those initiatives include providing content for the PCI Perspectives Blog, creating a SIG or Special Interest Group on PCI SSC for unattended and semi-attended transaction, as well as new guidepost content from our sponsors and members outlining best practices.

The kiosk association has a standing PCI Compliance committee and a Slack-based working group (free to join). Members include OTI GlobalUnattended Card Payments (UCP)Datacap SystemsIngenicoKioWareOlea Kiosks, Lilitab and Self-Service Networks who provide Cash2Card Giftwise.

“The pandemic is fundamentally altering the relationship that business and customer have had historically. Rather than the conventional ‘push’ from storefront to customer, the ratio of customers ‘pulling’ from business is rapidly increasing. Online mechanisms are no longer optional but instead, mandatory,” says association spokesman, Craig Keefner. “Contactless and touchless are the new cornerstones. Shortening those transaction timeframes whether Drive-Thru or Text-to-pay are the new base metrics.”

The pandemic impact on the currencies and payment methods involved in today’s secure transaction has also expanded. Cash2Card deployments are rising and instead of the old Redbox DVDs at McDonalds you may soon have a new Bitcoin ATM Kiosks.

Technologies emerging and in-use include conversational artificial intelligence (AI) and all types of visual recognition systems (automobile license and facial examples given).

To stay informed on customer self-order and employee terminals sign up for our monthly news update or you can visit our website.

Visit: https://kioskindustry.org/standards/pci-emv-kiosk/.

About Kiosk Manufacturer Association:

Based in Westminster, Colorado the Kiosk Manufacturer Association or KMA has served the unattended self-service kiosk market since 1995. The Kiosk Association leads the effort to optimize self-service engagements and outcomes using technology such as kiosks, digital signage, and touchscreens.

Regulatory issues such as PCI Compliance and EMV are a primary focus for the KMA along with ADA Accessibility. KMA is a Participating Organization with the PCI SSC. For ADA, the KMA meets annually with U.S. Access Board on accessibility standards for unattended. Additional market coverage includes digital signage, interactive digital, Point-of-Sale, Smart City, vending and robotics. See us on LinkedIn. KMA is available on https://kioskindustry.org and https://kma.global

Sutter Health and 60 Minutes

Critical feature and article of Sutter Health by 60 Minutes December 2020

Excerpt:

Sutter Health is in the midst of a lawsuit for business practices that drove up health care prices for Californians.

The coronavirus pandemic has unleashed more than a flood of disease in this country. It’s also expected to accelerate a wave of hospital mergers and acquisitions – with big hospitals buying up smaller ones. This consolidation, economists say, is one of the main reasons the cost of health care in this country is going through the roof.

There’s a lawsuit over this in COVID-ravaged California, with the state attorney general claiming that Sutter Health, a hospital chain based in Sacramento, got so big it had essentially become a monopoly.

On the eve of the trial, Sutter tentatively agreed to a settlement that’s awaiting a judge’s approval. But this is, even at this stage, a landmark case because it pulled back the curtain on what has rarely been seen or so thoroughly documented before: how and why hospital prices have been skyrocketing.

Sutter is a sprawling health care system that’s the largest and most dominant provider in Northern California.

Patient Registration Kiosk

Patient Kiosks Registration

A focus on health and safety

patient kiosks registration

patient kiosks registration

Patient kiosks registration allows staff to focus on what matters – streamlining the check-in process and keeping employees healthy. Healthcare kiosks offer a high quality of care to patients and guests who walk through your door while also allowing less human contact with your counter staff who are at greater risk of being exposed to illness during check-in procedures.  Other uses for healthcare self-service kiosks include: dental office kiosks, emergency room kiosks, and more.

Healthcare kiosks offer many benefits

Emergency rooms, doctor’s offices, dental facilities, senior living, university health centers and more are adding patient check-in and self-service kiosks.

Kiosks provide:

  • Private and secure check-in for employees, guests and patients
  • A means to fill out medical forms clearly and efficiently
  • Patient access to personal accounts through the establishment’s healthcare portal
  • A way to keep sick patients from spreading germs to check-in staff
  • Bill Payment
  • Wayfinding
  • Telemedicine