Senator Berglin,
Yes, the 340 B gets the best price that the government allows, but this is another topic for another day. This is not what my meeting request was about. My meeting request was to explain to you how my programs can help save the state of Minnesota millions of dollars from what it is already spending.
When we analyze our savings we look at the total net spend. We are not focused on saving five or ten cents per unit for factor products we are focused on saving tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per person per year by preventing bleeds from starting! This is where the true cost savings are.
A series of emails does little to describe and detail our program and the magnitude of the savings potential.
As a lifelong resident of Minnesota, a registered voter, a business owner, property owner and taxpayer I am asking you to meet with me so I may have a fair chance to present to you our cost saving programs.
Sincerely,
Daniel Kallberg
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Health Care Frustations: A response to the Senator
Here is the most recent response from the Senator. I was very surprised to see this. It appears that the politicians are looking straight through the issues and seeing only what they want to see! How could she only see the 340B situation after everything that was laid out in front of her? Did she even review the presentation? I would suspect not.
Frustration with our elected officials and these are the people that are supposed to be looking out for our best interests. Or, are they looking out for their best interests?
Much more to come on this subject.
Dear Daniel,
Thanks for the information.
340B programs get the best price the federal government allows. If you know of something less costly please let me know.
Linda Berglin
Frustration with our elected officials and these are the people that are supposed to be looking out for our best interests. Or, are they looking out for their best interests?
Much more to come on this subject.
Dear Daniel,
Thanks for the information.
340B programs get the best price the federal government allows. If you know of something less costly please let me know.
Linda Berglin
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Health Care Frustrations: My follow up to Linda Berglin
Senator Berglin,
Thank you for taking the time to read my email and listen to my concerns.
Our biggest obstacle has been access to the specialty pharmacy networks.
Insurance companies are carving out chronic diseases from their pharmacy benefits, directing them to their specialty pharmacy provider and offering little if no choice to the individuals who pay the premiums. The policy holders who have these chronic conditions no longer have the choice that an individual without a chronic condition has. The specialty pharmacies have their own disease management programs that are, at best, medium intensity for this population. Often times they charge an additional fee for these services. We do not ask for additional fees to manage our program.
The specialty pharmacy will defend this by claiming cost reductions. I would challenge that assertion. In fact they are costing us billions of dollars per year and the trend is for these costs to continue to grow. One study published in December of 2007 from the American Journal of Managed Care, claims that “the disease management industry has grown rapidly, with estimated annual revenues increasing from about $78 million in 1997 to almost $1.2 billion in 2005 and projected to top $1.8 billion by 2008.” By eliminating competition and creating a virtual monopoly on the services provided to these populations they set their own price free from competitive pressures, ultimately passing that expense on to every policy holder.
What is even more frustrating is the inherent conflict of interest the Hemophilia Treatment Centers have and their 340B programs. In no other form of health care does the law allow physicians to self refer, except in this case. What is their motive? In fact one of the local treatment centers sub contracts their 340B program to a vendor that just settled a 38 million dollar Medicare fraud lawsuit. This is in addition to approximately 150 million dollars this same company has paid out in other settlements and lawsuits over the past three years! This is where Minnesota tax dollars are going!
We offer an outstanding product in an ethical, patient centric manner that can save an incredible amount of money.
I am attaching a presentation for your review.
I am available to meet most anytime.
Sincerely,
Daniel Kallberg
Thank you for taking the time to read my email and listen to my concerns.
Our biggest obstacle has been access to the specialty pharmacy networks.
Insurance companies are carving out chronic diseases from their pharmacy benefits, directing them to their specialty pharmacy provider and offering little if no choice to the individuals who pay the premiums. The policy holders who have these chronic conditions no longer have the choice that an individual without a chronic condition has. The specialty pharmacies have their own disease management programs that are, at best, medium intensity for this population. Often times they charge an additional fee for these services. We do not ask for additional fees to manage our program.
The specialty pharmacy will defend this by claiming cost reductions. I would challenge that assertion. In fact they are costing us billions of dollars per year and the trend is for these costs to continue to grow. One study published in December of 2007 from the American Journal of Managed Care, claims that “the disease management industry has grown rapidly, with estimated annual revenues increasing from about $78 million in 1997 to almost $1.2 billion in 2005 and projected to top $1.8 billion by 2008.” By eliminating competition and creating a virtual monopoly on the services provided to these populations they set their own price free from competitive pressures, ultimately passing that expense on to every policy holder.
What is even more frustrating is the inherent conflict of interest the Hemophilia Treatment Centers have and their 340B programs. In no other form of health care does the law allow physicians to self refer, except in this case. What is their motive? In fact one of the local treatment centers sub contracts their 340B program to a vendor that just settled a 38 million dollar Medicare fraud lawsuit. This is in addition to approximately 150 million dollars this same company has paid out in other settlements and lawsuits over the past three years! This is where Minnesota tax dollars are going!
We offer an outstanding product in an ethical, patient centric manner that can save an incredible amount of money.
I am attaching a presentation for your review.
I am available to meet most anytime.
Sincerely,
Daniel Kallberg
Health Care Frustrations: Response from Linda Berglin
Dear Daniel,
I thank you for your interest in health care cost commitment. Since we are down to three weeks until deadline for hearings, it will be best if you can send me information before a meeting is scheduled.
Linda Berglin
I thank you for your interest in health care cost commitment. Since we are down to three weeks until deadline for hearings, it will be best if you can send me information before a meeting is scheduled.
Linda Berglin
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Health Care Frustrations: A Letter to Health and Human Services Budget Committee
Dear member of the Health and Human Services Budget Division Committee,
“We are not that concerned with these high cost chronic conditions, they cap out very early in their policies and end up on state or federal programs.” This is a quote from a VP of a local health insurance provider that I recently met with. I was shocked to hear this from him. It further concerns me that the CEO of HealthPartners, Mary Brainerd, was quoted recently as saying "We all know we've got a big problem with the state. And I think those of us in health care know that we need to be part of a solution. So having the chance to participate is really worthwhile from my perspective."
It appears to me that the insurance companies are speaking out both sides of their mouths and they are the officials we are looking to for help. Aren’t these the very people that allowed costs to get out of control? I believe the insurance companies have an obligation to do everything in their powers to control these costs and prevent these costs from falling on the taxpayers.
This type of culture seems to contradict what is being said at the capital. WCCO news aired a story recently about Governor Pawlenty’s “Government Reform Summit”. The summit was held at the capital and the budget issues that the state faces in the coming year were discussed. One of the areas that were singled out was the rising cost of health care. ““Yet, the biggest target remains the state's obligation to pay for health and human services costs.” According to Pawlenty, those costs are rising by 20 percent each biennium. He calls that a model for disaster, and said, "We cannot ultimately fix this problem unless we change that trajectory.””
On February 24th, 2009, President Obama gave a speech to the joint session, in his speech he talked about health care reform. He singled out prevention as a significant source for savings. He said “And -- and it makes the largest investment ever in preventive care, because that's one of the best ways to keep our people healthy and our costs under control.”
This is why I am requesting a meeting with you at your earliest convenience. We can get our costs under control and we can change the trajectory by utilizing some simple yet highly effective programs. I own a company that specializes in providing services and products to people with bleeding disorders. We offer a high intensity case management program that focuses on prevention, education, physical therapy and fitness to help contain the costs of treating this disease. Through our program, we have been able to show significant decreases in utilization of expensive factor products while at the same time improving the health and functional abilities of each patient.
I recently met with Representative Paul Thissen to discuss with him how CoaguLife Pharmacy can help the state of Minnesota save millions of dollars per year on Healthcare. In fact we have already saved the state of Minnesota over seven million dollars during the past three and a half years.
I am also reaching out to the local media outlets to let them know of these programs and the extraordinary cost savings potential it has to the state of Minnesota and its taxpayers. In addition I wish to share with them my stories of frustration with gaining access to patients due to our existing health insurance system.
I would like very much to meet with you in person so I may explain to you in greater detail how our program works, why it is so effective and how it can save the state of Minnesota millions of dollars. It seems to me that with the budget issues we face today it is in everybody’s best interest to thoroughly explore all reasonable options. I can assure you that this will not be a waste of your time. We are not looking to create any new programs nor are we looking for any additional fees or funding. If I have not heard from you within the next few weeks I will contact your office to set up an appointment.
“We are not that concerned with these high cost chronic conditions, they cap out very early in their policies and end up on state or federal programs.” This is a quote from a VP of a local health insurance provider that I recently met with. I was shocked to hear this from him. It further concerns me that the CEO of HealthPartners, Mary Brainerd, was quoted recently as saying "We all know we've got a big problem with the state. And I think those of us in health care know that we need to be part of a solution. So having the chance to participate is really worthwhile from my perspective."
It appears to me that the insurance companies are speaking out both sides of their mouths and they are the officials we are looking to for help. Aren’t these the very people that allowed costs to get out of control? I believe the insurance companies have an obligation to do everything in their powers to control these costs and prevent these costs from falling on the taxpayers.
This type of culture seems to contradict what is being said at the capital. WCCO news aired a story recently about Governor Pawlenty’s “Government Reform Summit”. The summit was held at the capital and the budget issues that the state faces in the coming year were discussed. One of the areas that were singled out was the rising cost of health care. ““Yet, the biggest target remains the state's obligation to pay for health and human services costs.” According to Pawlenty, those costs are rising by 20 percent each biennium. He calls that a model for disaster, and said, "We cannot ultimately fix this problem unless we change that trajectory.””
On February 24th, 2009, President Obama gave a speech to the joint session, in his speech he talked about health care reform. He singled out prevention as a significant source for savings. He said “And -- and it makes the largest investment ever in preventive care, because that's one of the best ways to keep our people healthy and our costs under control.”
This is why I am requesting a meeting with you at your earliest convenience. We can get our costs under control and we can change the trajectory by utilizing some simple yet highly effective programs. I own a company that specializes in providing services and products to people with bleeding disorders. We offer a high intensity case management program that focuses on prevention, education, physical therapy and fitness to help contain the costs of treating this disease. Through our program, we have been able to show significant decreases in utilization of expensive factor products while at the same time improving the health and functional abilities of each patient.
I recently met with Representative Paul Thissen to discuss with him how CoaguLife Pharmacy can help the state of Minnesota save millions of dollars per year on Healthcare. In fact we have already saved the state of Minnesota over seven million dollars during the past three and a half years.
I am also reaching out to the local media outlets to let them know of these programs and the extraordinary cost savings potential it has to the state of Minnesota and its taxpayers. In addition I wish to share with them my stories of frustration with gaining access to patients due to our existing health insurance system.
I would like very much to meet with you in person so I may explain to you in greater detail how our program works, why it is so effective and how it can save the state of Minnesota millions of dollars. It seems to me that with the budget issues we face today it is in everybody’s best interest to thoroughly explore all reasonable options. I can assure you that this will not be a waste of your time. We are not looking to create any new programs nor are we looking for any additional fees or funding. If I have not heard from you within the next few weeks I will contact your office to set up an appointment.
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