Health

6 HEALTH • Winter 2017 { Briefs } Continued from Page 5 BETTER IS NOW EASIER. In today's hectic world, who doesn't love a time saver? At UMass Memorial, we realize that you don't have time to check out every one of our exceptional doctors. So we've simplified the process. Calling 855-UMASS-MD means speaking with a real person – a knowledgeable representative who will provide solutions to your inquiry. One call gets you to the doctor best suited for you. We're your connection to all of UMass Memorial Health Care. Better is now easier with our personalized process. 855-UMASS-MD One Call. 1,700 Great Doctors. Reach out today. Call 855-UMASS-MD (855-862-7763) www.umassmemorial.org/appointment the Baker Administration to improve quality within the state Medicaid system. According to a statement from Boston-based Steward, hun- dreds of physicians within the Nashoba Valley region will partici- pate in the Steward Health Choice plan, tailored to better serve MassHealth patients, Steward said. The ACO program will be effective on March 1. ACOs pay providers a certain amount to care for a group of patients, which proponents say encourages them to deliver care in an efficient and effective manner. Fallon posts $3M in Q3 as health plans continue turnaround Worcester-based Fallon Health reported net income and operating gains in the third quarter ending Sept. 30, with Fallon reporting net income of $3 million and an operat- ing surplus of $500,000. That's a reversal from a $6.2-million net loss for the same quarter last year, and an operating loss of $8.6 million. Membership for Fallon increased by about 3,000 over 2016. In an earnings statement, Fallon highlighted its expansion into Berkshire County with new Medicare products and planned increased capacity for its elder care program at a new site in Webster among its achievements this year. Senate passes Mass. healthcare bill A sweeping package of reforms sup- porters said aimed to fix broken ele- ments of the state's health care system while also saving consumers money passed the Senate on a 33-6 vote. The bill sets a target for reducing hospital readmissions and imposes new over- sight on the pharmaceutical industry. It aims to cut down on unexpected consumer costs like out-of-network charges and facility fees, and to increase access to telemedicine and mobile-integrated health, which involves paramedics performing non- emergency services. Free birth control clears Mass. House The Massachusetts House passed a bill guaranteeing free access to birth control for women in the Bay State by a wide margin. Approved and sent to the Senate on a 138 to 16 vote, the bill (H 4009) would ensure access to oral contraception for women in Massachusetts with no copay, allow women to pick up a 12-month supply of birth control after an initial three-month prescription, and mandate coverage of emergency contraception at pharmacies without a copayment or a new prescription. Mount Wachusett hires paramedic program head Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner has hired Peter Laitinen to oversee its new Paramedic Technology Certificate program after a years-long search, according to a statement. Laitinen is a registered nurse at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, and previously worked as a paramedic for Gardner- based Wood's Ambulance service from 1985 to 2013, according to Mount Wachusett. He holds a bache- lor's degree in nursing from Curry College and a certificate in paramed- ic technology from Northeastern University. Health Connector rolls out online small business platform Officials at the Massachusetts Health Connector, the state-based health insurance marketplace, are touting a new online platform to help small businesses manage health plan costs while making it easier for employees to shop for plans. The platform, which caters to businesses with fewer than 50 employees, allows employers to quickly find a local bro- ker to help manage a plan or create a plan, according to a statement from the Health Connector. Peter Laitinen H

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