Anthony Brino
As the federal government evaluates state demonstrations for providing Medicare-Medicaid eligible Americans with better, more cost-effective care, a new study suggests that large savings will be elusive without specialized models and some improvisation.
America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) is fighting to prevent new prompt pay rules for self-funded insurance plans from taking effect that have the support of the American Medical Association and the Medical Association of Georgia, which have joined the state Insurance Commissioner in defending them.
Exceeding some Wall Street expectations, Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group reported third quarter earnings of $1.50 a share and projected 2012 net earnings of $5.20 to $5.55 a share, up from July projections of around $5.
Massachusetts makes its first real foray into managed care with a demonstration plan focused on dual eligibles from ages 21 to 64. The plan emphasizes patient relationships with independent living support coordinators and community-based organizations.
A new Urban Institute report challenging the notion, and some evidence, that the Affordable Care Act will likely lead to a drop in employer coverage suggests that employer-sponsored health insurance may actually increase under the healthcare law.
Dominant regional insurer Highmark last week asked a judge to stop West Penn Allegheny Health System from "starting affiliation/acquisition discussions with other organizations," as it looks to preserve its crumbling $475 million deal to acquire the struggling health system.
Twelve Iowa cities and towns are applying to be the second group of demonstration sites for the Blue Zones project, an experiment in trying to improve health and well-being by Healthways and with funding assistance from health insurer Wellmark.
The number of Medicare Advantage plans being offered is expected to increase by 7 percent over the next year, from 2,430 currently to 2,600 in 2013, according to a report from Avalere Health.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder wants to bring Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan under the same laws regulating other insure by forcing it to become a mutual insurance company effectively stripping it of its tax exemptions.
With childrens dental coverage set to expand as a result of health reform , the dental industry is trying to get a sense of what the dental insurance market, and the state and federal rules impacting it, might look like in the coming years.