BUSINESS

News in brief - Aug. 20, 2007

Survey: Hospitals should do more outreach - Aetna completes deal

Survey: Hospitals should do more outreach

Hospitals may be missing out on an untapped resource when it comes to fundraising.

A survey released last month by Grizzard Communications Group, a firm serving nonprofits, and by the Virginia-based Assn. for Healthcare Philanthropy, found few hospitals take advantage of "grateful patient" programs that focus on past patients as potential sources for donations.

Approximately 40% of development professionals said they do not consider outreach to past patients to be an important component of their work. They claim the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act has created an obstacle for direct communication with past patients. The survey also found 75% of development professionals believe doctors do not do a good job of engaging in development efforts.

Aetna completes deal

Aetna announced it has completed its acquisition of Schaller Anderson, Inc.

Schaller Anderson is a provider of health care management for Medicaid plans based in Phoenix. Aetna announced its plans to acquire the company in May and completed the $535 million transaction on Aug. 1.

Aetna chair and CEO Ronald A. Williams said in a prepared statement, "This acquisition positions Aetna as a significant player in the Medicaid market and gives us an additional avenue for profitable growth."