Reimbursement

After two other states got a federal OK for the Medicaid "private option," Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is asking to use a similar version of the policy, with more cost-sharing, plus requirements that have never been approved anywhere before.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has expanded its value-based hospital reimbursement model with five more health systems in the state, representing 24 hospitals, for a total of seven systems.

A new study from Stanford University has turned the concept of patient dumping on its head. It finds that hospitals are less likely to transfer critically injured patients to trauma centers if they have health insurance.

Eying unfilled parts of the consumer health market, UnitedHealth Group could end up owning a digital health company that's servicing its rivals' clients, and make another Ivy League dropout a millionaire before age 30 in the process.

Some people will invariably take this as proof that ICD-10 will not be pushed back any further -- while others will suggest it serves as evidence that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cannot be taken at its word.

Because health system operators reacted quickly to manage payment cuts and lower patient volumes, Moody's Investors Service has upgraded its for-profit hospital outlook to positive from stable.

As more Medicaid beneficiaries gain access to behavioral health treatment, peer support programs offer a lot of benefits, but cost savings may not be one of them.

And then there were three: Pennsylvania will have one fewer Blue Cross company if Highmark's latest deal is approved by state regulators.

UnitedHealthcare has reached an agreement with a large health system affecting some 400,000 members, but more contract disputes remain unresolved as the insurer looks for savings.

Humana is settling charges that it required some small businesses to buy life insurance policies along with health coverage going back to 2006.