Reimbursement

Experts say the California exchange uses more of its powers as an "active purchaser" than any other state. That means it can decide which insurers can join the exchange, what plans and benefits are available and at what price.

Twenty major companies, including American Express, Verizon, Coca-Cola and HCA have joined the newly-launched Health Transformation Alliance to combine data on the population health of their employees, and potentially flex their muscle with insurance companies and big pharma, according to Tevi Troy, president of the American Health Policy Institute.

Financial challenges once again ranked as the top concern for hospital chief executive officers in 2015, according to a new study by the American College of Healthcare Executives. Patient safety and quality, and governmental mandates came in as the 2nd and 3rd highest concerns.

The last-minute surge lifted the total enrollment in Obamacare to 12.7 million this year, accounting for 9.6 million consumers enrolled or re-enrolled for coverage through Healthcare.gov and the 3.1 million people who selected plans through the state-based marketplaces.

Peter Lee said UnitedHealth made a series of blunders on rates and networks that led to a $475 million loss last year.

The last-minute surge lifted the total enrollment in Obamacare to 12.7 million this year, accounting for 9.6 million consumers enrolled or re-enrolled for coverage through Healthcare.gov and the 3.1 million people who selected plans through the state-based marketplaces.

Stung by losses under the federal health law, major insurers are seeking to sharply limit how policies are sold to individuals in ways that consumer advocates say seem to illegally discriminate against the sickest and could hold down future enrollment.

Stung by losses under the federal health law, major insurers are seeking to sharply limit how policies are sold to individuals in ways that consumer advocates say seem to illegally discriminate against the sickest and could hold down future enrollment.

Peter Lee said UnitedHealth made a series of blunders on rates and networks that led to a $475 million loss last year.

Pennsylvania-based Independence Blue Cross' announcement that it will cover a complex type of genetic testing for some cancer patients thrusts the insurer into an ongoing debate about how to handle an increasing array of these expensive tests.