Chelsey Ledue

Columbia, S.C.-based Companion Life Insurance has purchased Indiana-based Summit Reinsurance Services, a re-insurer of HMOs and insurance companies and managing general underwriter of stop loss coverage for employer health plans.

Healthcare organizations have sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging equality in Medicaid and Medicare rates for primary care services.

Officials at St. Anthony’s Medical Center, St. Louis’ largest free-standing hospital, say they saved $3 million in the hospital's first year with the Premier healthcare alliance.

Healthcare reform is “around us, on top of us, it’s all over,” said Richard L. Clarke, president and CEO of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, during Tuesday's keynote speech that kicked off the HFMA’s Virtual Healthcare Finance Conference and Career Fair.

The growing cost of brand-name prescription drugs is a concern for patients, payers and providers – particularly when price increases are large and sudden, says the Government Accountability Office.

Med-Vision, a Tampa, Fla.-based healthcare planning, risk management and wellness consulting consulting company, has reportedly helped clients reduce healthcare costs by 10 percent to 12 percent over the past two years by using Verisk Health’s Explorer solution.

The success of retail clinics relies on collaboration with local physicians, according to a recent case study.

The long-term care sector is looking at positive demographics for business in 2010. An aging population – and more people who are choosing home care and want to avoid institutions – should keep the home care, hospice and durable medical equipment communities busy.

Boiled down to one word, the outlook for physicians in 2010 is uncertain.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation has awarded $2.22 million to 56 community health organizations around the state to assist residents in obtaining healthcare.