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BBC News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Latest HS2 delay 'extends the agony' says Northants villages
People living near the route of the HS2 rail project said the latest delay to the scheme "extends the agony" for Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, told MPs on Wednesday that there was "no route" to meeting the 2033 deadline, although she did not suggest a new said there had been a "litany of failure" around the work has been taking place in villages in south Northamptonshire since 2019. The only remaining section of the HS2 project, between London and Birmingham, was originally due to be up and running by 2026, but the deadline got pushed back to 2031 and then to latest announcement means villagers on the route in south Northamptonshire now know they will be facing disruption from the work for at least another nine years. The village of Thorpe Mandeville has been living with disruption caused by work on an access road, a site compound and a viaduct for some time Brown from the Thorpe Mandeville Parish Council said there were more headaches to come with HS2 waiting permission to close a route into the village that is currently controlled by traffic said: "It would make it a peaceful village, but for village commuting, it would make getting north damn near impossible." As a former parish councillor in Lower Boddington, Peter Deeley has had dealings with HS2 since the idea first surfaced. He said: "We've had nothing else but problems in regards to noise pollution, we've had inability to get access, we have the situation of air pollution - I cleaned my car yesterday, it now looks as if half the Sahara's desert is on it." Not far down the road is Greatworth Hall, where Stephen Adkins' family have been tending the land since construction of HS2 is taking place just yards from his said: "The delays are unbelievable and, personally, it just extends the agony."He said that, if anyone asked him for advice on living near a national infrastructure project, his "advice now would be just get out if you can because it has been miserable". The Conservative MP for south Northamptonshire, Sarah Bool, said: "I fully understand the frustrations many feel. "I continue to work closely with affected communities in Radstone, Greatworth and across south Northamptonshire to hold HS2 Ltd to account — pushing for better mitigation, timely communication and proper treatment of those whose lives and land have been upended."The BBC has contacted HS2 for a statement. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
National Post
12-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
B.C. Lions: Buck Pierce returns to Winnipeg for first time as visiting coach
Leave it to his old Winnipeg Blue Bomber buddy Doug Brown to have a little fun with Buck Pierce's first trip back to town as head coach of the B.C. Lions. Article content Winnipeg (0-0), who had the Week I bye, open their CFL regular season Thursday (5:30 p.m.) at home against B.C. (1-0). The Lions are coming off an impressive 31-14 win over the Edmonton Elks on Saturday at B.C. Place in Pierce's debut at the helm. Article content Article content Article content A former Lions quarterback, Pierce signed on as bench boss with B.C. in the off-season after a decade as a Winnipeg assistant coach, including the past four years as their offensive coordinator. Article content Brown, the longtime Bomber star defensive lineman turned radio analyst, maintains that it won't be odd to see Pierce on the visiting sideline at Princess Auto Stadium, because his CFL playing career began in B.C. and therefore 'it makes sense that his head-coaching would start there too.' Article content Then Brown took a little playful poke at the matter. He can be excused. There's a connection there. He and Pierce were teammates for Brown's final two years with Winnipeg. Brown has covered the team ever since. Pierce, as it happens, met his wife Lori at a barbecue that Brown was hosting. Article content 'No matter where Buck is coaching, he's a Winnipeg guy now, and he knows it,' Brown, 50, quipped. Article content For his part, Pierce did his best this week to play down the whole thing, to try to keep it from taking up all the attention. Article content 'It's the next game on the schedule for us,' Pierce, 43, said. 'Winnipeg is a good football team. We have to execute and we've got to play smart. We've got to focus. We've got to do the things that relate to winning. Article content Article content 'For me, that's my past. I enjoyed my time there. I'm excited to walk back into that building with the players we have in our locker-room.' Article content This wasn't a messy split. It's nothing like that. Mike O'Shea is firmly entrenched as Winnipeg's coach and at 54 years of age it would seem he's got lots of runway left to keep going. Coming to B.C. was an opportunity Pierce wasn't about to get in Winnipeg. Article content Article content That said, there's clearly a great many ties there for Pierce. Pierce's first start with the Lions even came in Winnipeg, with him pinch-hitting for an injured Dave Dickenson in a 32-5 win over the Bombers on Aug. 10, 2006. Article content Pierce played with B.C. from 2005 to 2009, went to Winnipeg in 2010, and was there until midway through the 2013 campaign, when he was traded back to B.C. That wound up his final year as a player.
Globe and Mail
10-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Ontario's planned crackdown on exclusivity deals could go further, pharmacy regulator says
The board of Ontario's pharmacy regulator said on Monday the province's proposed new restrictions on exclusivity deals between insurers and pharmacies were a good step, but should go further to protect patient safety. Ontario recently began a second public consultation on preferred provider (or pharmacy) networks (PPNs), a type of deal between pharmacies and insurers that can restrict where patients get medication. The consultation proposes two options for restricting the deals: 'any able and willing provider' legislation that would allow any pharmacy to join an insurer's network if they met the necessary criteria; and 'standardized and mandatory exemptions' that would allow any patient to go outside a network if they met conditions set by a regulator. The province leaves it open to whether it could pursue either, both or neither option. The board of the Ontario College of Pharmacists has been discussing a potential crackdown on PPNs since early last year, even passing a motion expressing 'zero tolerance' for closed networks last July. The board discussed the latest consultation at its meeting Monday. A briefing document prepared and distributed by college staff ahead of time suggested the province's proposals could be 'strengthened' to meet the regulator's goals of guaranteeing patient choice, continuity of care and access to care. Ontario regulator condemns exclusive deals between pharmacies, insurance companies Board chair Doug Brown, who owns and runs a pharmacy in the town of Port Perry, said he acknowledged that there was frustration in the community 'over what is perceived to be the lack of progress on this issue.' However, he said the consultation – which is run by Ontario's Ministry of Finance – crosses multiple industries and needs to be done carefully. He said any new actions undertaken by the college could be undone depending on how the legislation is eventually drafted, and so it would be prudent for the regulator to wait for now. 'But let me be absolutely clear, the college is prepared to move quickly and decisively once the government has confirmed what it will or won't do to address the clear concerns that remained unresolved,' he said. Most board members expressed support for the province's proposed options. Elnora Magboo, one of the board's public members, asked during the meeting whether PPNs could provide greater access to medication because of savings negotiated between the agreement's participants. Ontario considers rule to limit exclusivity deals between insurers and pharmacies Insurers have argued PPNs are useful tools to keep costs down. They say the deals allow them to negotiate discounts from pharmacies that they pass on to plan sponsors. But some of the board's independent pharmacists, who are often kept out of these networks in favour of large chain pharmacies, pushed back on the idea that there are cost savings, and raised other concerns with the deals. Siva Sivapalan, a community pharmacist in Beamsville, raised a witness the board heard from last July, whose medication was delivered by a network pharmacy to a non-refrigerated area at the back of a craft store. That witness – a teacher from Waterloo named Amy Miller – lodged a complaint with the network pharmacy last summer. In the months since, she has expressed frustration at the slow pace of the college's investigation and the difficulty in obtaining her medication from her preferred source. 'Every month that passes without a decision makes my access to care more uncertain,' Ms. Miller wrote in a letter sent to the board in May, which she shared with The Globe and Mail. 'Every delay deepens the harm. And every public statement you make about protecting patients becomes more hollow.' College spokesperson Dave Bourne said the regulator could not share details about Ms. Miller's case, but continues to investigate concerns about PPNs. Speaking generally, he said some complaints are complex and time-consuming to investigate. 'We understand Ms. Miller's frustration with the time being taken to address her complaint, and we empathize with her situation,' he said in an e-mail.
Associated Press
02-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Black Book Research Names 2025's Top Vendors in Risk Adjustment & Coding Optimization for Health Plans and Payers
Advanced Analytics, AI, and Automation Become Essential as Payers Face Increased Scrutiny on Risk Adjustment Accuracy and Financial Performance NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 1, 2025 / As healthcare payers face intensified regulatory oversight, rising healthcare costs, and the evolving complexities of risk adjustment, Black Book Research today announced its 2025 rankings of the leading vendors in Risk Adjustment & Coding Optimization software. These solutions have become essential for payers seeking accurate, compliant, and financially optimized coding practices across Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care, ACA marketplace plans, and commercial insurers. According to Black Book's latest payer survey conducted between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, with responses from 1,108 senior payer executives, finance officers, and risk adjustment leaders, 92% indicated that advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) tools are now critical for accurate risk scoring, improved coding efficiency, and maintaining regulatory compliance. 'Health plans are urgently investing in technology solutions that provide precise, predictive, and fully compliant risk adjustment and coding practices,' said Doug Brown, President of Black Book Research. 'Optimized coding not only ensures regulatory compliance but significantly impacts financial stability, resource allocation, and member care quality.' Scope and Opportunity in Risk Adjustment & Coding Optimization Software The survey highlights a growing emphasis on several core areas where payer software solutions can dramatically enhance performance: Accurate Risk Scoring: 94% of respondents highlighted accuracy in HCC (Hierarchical Condition Categories) and RAF (Risk Adjustment Factor) scoring as their highest priority. Regulatory Compliance: 89% emphasized the importance of software capable of continuous compliance monitoring, automated audits, and coding validation. Predictive Analytics: 87% of payers prioritize advanced analytics solutions that anticipate risk and allow proactive management of populations. Automated Coding Processes: 70% noted the necessity for automation to reduce manual errors, streamline workflows, and accelerate coding accuracy. Interoperability and Data Integration: 66% reported interoperability as essential, ensuring seamless data flow among providers, payers, and regulatory bodies. Top 10 Vendors in Risk Adjustment & Coding Optimization (Ranked by Client Satisfaction and Performance) Edifecs - Distinguished for its robust interoperability solutions and real-time risk adjustment analytics that streamline payer workflows and ensure regulatory accuracy. Apixio - Recognized for its AI-powered risk adjustment analytics, utilizing natural language processing (NLP) to dramatically improve coding accuracy and risk stratification. SCIO Health Analytics (EXL) - Highly rated for predictive modeling and comprehensive analytics tools that significantly enhance coding accuracy, financial forecasting, and compliance management. Advantasure - Praised for its integrated risk adjustment platform, offering real-time analytics, automated chart reviews, and predictive risk identification. Change Healthcare - Valued for sophisticated coding optimization and analytics capabilities, significantly reducing audit risks and improving revenue accuracy. Innovaccer - Noted for advanced analytics and integrated workflows that seamlessly connect payer data streams, optimizing risk management strategies. Inovalon - Applauded for scalable analytics platforms and comprehensive interoperability, enhancing accuracy in risk scoring and regulatory compliance. Cotiviti - Recognized for its deep analytics and precise data validation, enabling payers to accurately capture risk and streamline coding compliance. Optum - Acknowledged for robust AI-driven risk adjustment and coding tools that integrate seamlessly across payer systems, delivering accuracy and compliance. Talix - Renowned for its innovative NLP-driven risk adjustment solutions that ensure precise coding, reducing compliance risk and maximizing revenue integrity. 'Risk adjustment and coding optimization software has become a strategic imperative for payers aiming to thrive in today's regulatory and competitive healthcare environment,' added Brown. 'Leveraging these technologies positions payers not only to achieve compliance but to realize substantial improvements in financial outcomes, operational efficiency, and member health management.' About Black Book Research Black Book Research provides unbiased, crowd-sourced insights into healthcare technology, services, and outsourcing. Since 2004, Black Book has surveyed over 1 million healthcare technology users and buyers, maintaining strict independence without vendor funding, advisory subscriptions, or performance improvement arrangements. To license the full complete 2025 Risk Adjustment & Coding Optimization report and detailed vendor performance metrics, visit: Media Inquiries: Email: [email protected] Contact Information Press Office [email protected] 8008637590 SOURCE: Black Book Research press release
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Black Book Research Names 2025's Top Vendors in Risk Adjustment & Coding Optimization for Health Plans and Payers
Advanced Analytics, AI, and Automation Become Essential as Payers Face Increased Scrutiny on Risk Adjustment Accuracy and Financial Performance NEW YORK CITY, NY / / June 1, 2025 / As healthcare payers face intensified regulatory oversight, rising healthcare costs, and the evolving complexities of risk adjustment, Black Book Research today announced its 2025 rankings of the leading vendors in Risk Adjustment & Coding Optimization software. These solutions have become essential for payers seeking accurate, compliant, and financially optimized coding practices across Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care, ACA marketplace plans, and commercial insurers. According to Black Book's latest payer survey conducted between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, with responses from 1,108 senior payer executives, finance officers, and risk adjustment leaders, 92% indicated that advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) tools are now critical for accurate risk scoring, improved coding efficiency, and maintaining regulatory compliance. "Health plans are urgently investing in technology solutions that provide precise, predictive, and fully compliant risk adjustment and coding practices," said Doug Brown, President of Black Book Research. "Optimized coding not only ensures regulatory compliance but significantly impacts financial stability, resource allocation, and member care quality." Scope and Opportunity in Risk Adjustment & Coding Optimization Software The survey highlights a growing emphasis on several core areas where payer software solutions can dramatically enhance performance: Accurate Risk Scoring: 94% of respondents highlighted accuracy in HCC (Hierarchical Condition Categories) and RAF (Risk Adjustment Factor) scoring as their highest priority. Regulatory Compliance: 89% emphasized the importance of software capable of continuous compliance monitoring, automated audits, and coding validation. Predictive Analytics: 87% of payers prioritize advanced analytics solutions that anticipate risk and allow proactive management of populations. Automated Coding Processes: 70% noted the necessity for automation to reduce manual errors, streamline workflows, and accelerate coding accuracy. Interoperability and Data Integration: 66% reported interoperability as essential, ensuring seamless data flow among providers, payers, and regulatory bodies. Top 10 Vendors in Risk Adjustment & Coding Optimization (Ranked by Client Satisfaction and Performance) Edifecs - Distinguished for its robust interoperability solutions and real-time risk adjustment analytics that streamline payer workflows and ensure regulatory accuracy. Apixio - Recognized for its AI-powered risk adjustment analytics, utilizing natural language processing (NLP) to dramatically improve coding accuracy and risk stratification. SCIO Health Analytics (EXL) - Highly rated for predictive modeling and comprehensive analytics tools that significantly enhance coding accuracy, financial forecasting, and compliance management. Advantasure - Praised for its integrated risk adjustment platform, offering real-time analytics, automated chart reviews, and predictive risk identification. Change Healthcare - Valued for sophisticated coding optimization and analytics capabilities, significantly reducing audit risks and improving revenue accuracy. Innovaccer - Noted for advanced analytics and integrated workflows that seamlessly connect payer data streams, optimizing risk management strategies. Inovalon - Applauded for scalable analytics platforms and comprehensive interoperability, enhancing accuracy in risk scoring and regulatory compliance. Cotiviti - Recognized for its deep analytics and precise data validation, enabling payers to accurately capture risk and streamline coding compliance. Optum - Acknowledged for robust AI-driven risk adjustment and coding tools that integrate seamlessly across payer systems, delivering accuracy and compliance. Talix - Renowned for its innovative NLP-driven risk adjustment solutions that ensure precise coding, reducing compliance risk and maximizing revenue integrity. "Risk adjustment and coding optimization software has become a strategic imperative for payers aiming to thrive in today's regulatory and competitive healthcare environment," added Brown. "Leveraging these technologies positions payers not only to achieve compliance but to realize substantial improvements in financial outcomes, operational efficiency, and member health management." About Black Book Research Black Book Research provides unbiased, crowd-sourced insights into healthcare technology, services, and outsourcing. Since 2004, Black Book has surveyed over 1 million healthcare technology users and buyers, maintaining strict independence without vendor funding, advisory subscriptions, or performance improvement arrangements. To license the full complete 2025 Risk Adjustment & Coding Optimization report and detailed vendor performance metrics, visit: Media Inquiries: Email: research@ Contact Information Press Office research@ SOURCE: Black Book Research View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
