Month: March 2013

An Epic Systems spokesman says the Verona-based company wasn't initially invited to join a new alliance of electronic health record vendors aimed at promoting health care data interoperability. The CommonWell Health Alliance, which launched earlier this week, plans to promote and certify a national infrastructure with common standards and policies. Founding members include Cerner, Allscripts, athenahealth, Greenway, McKesson, and RelayHealth. (WHN, 3/7)

Wisconsinites are getting dental care from an unusual source: mobile dental clinics. These dental offices on wheels seek to bring dental care to vulnerable segments of society, particularly children who might not ordinarily receive dental care due to a lack of insurance. (WHN, 3/6)

The state of Wisconsin has hired Deloitte Consulting to find out how much it would save, or cost, to move to a self-insured model for state employees. Deloitte is contacting health plans to gauge their interest in "an administrative services only" contract and get their take on how costs and administrative fees would change under the new arrangement. (WHN, 3/5)

The fluoride debate appears to be gaining new steam in parts of the Badger State. At least four Wisconsin communities - Holmen, Onalaska, Waupaca and Soldiers Grove – have recently taken up the idea of eliminating fluoride from the community’s public water supply. (WHN, 3/4)