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Managed Care
Jun 11, 2013 - Jun 18, 2013
Health-Care Cost Inflation on Track to Slow in 2014: Report
Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 12:03 am ET; Source: CNBC
Already sluggish health-care inflation is expected to slow down even more in 2014 as consumers, employers and the federal government continue looking to cut medical costs, a new report said Tuesday.
Blue Shield-CA May Take Los Angeles City Contract from Anthem Blue Cross
Tuesday, June 18, 2013; Source: Los Angeles Times
Blue Shield of California, already facing a Los Angeles ethics complaint over potential conflicts of interest, is poised to take a lucrative health insurance contract for city workers away from rival Anthem Blue Cross.
Does This Move Defeat the Purpose of Obamacare?
Monday, June 17, 2013, 1:50 pm ET; Source: The Motley Fool
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, set to go into full effect on Jan 1., is certain to have broad-reaching impacts on the way that insurance companies sell their products to consumers.
Health Insurance Boosts Loom for NM State Workers
Monday, June 17, 2013; Source: Associated Press
More than 30,000 state and local government workers face a 15 percent increase for their health care insurance starting next month, but it could be only the beginning of higher costs as New Mexico's self-insurance program digs out of a financial hole.
Meridian Health Plan Growing Team by Over 700% and Moving Offices
Monday, June 17, 2013; Source: PR Newswire
Meridian Health Plan is moving its office from 222 N. LaSalle St. to 333 S. Wabash Ave. on July 1 in response to the expanding business needs of the company.
Aetna Leaving California’s Individual Insurance Market
Sunday, June 16, 2013, 1:04 pm ET; Source: Wall St. Cheat Sheet
On Saturday, Aetna announced its plans to stop providing health insurance to individuals by the end of this year.
Choice of Health Plans to Vary Sharply From State to State
Sunday, June 16, 2013; Source: The New York Times
When a typical 40-year-old uninsured woman in Maine goes to the new state exchange to buy health insurance this fall, she may have just two companies to choose from: the one that already sells most individual policies in the state, and a complete unknown — a nonprofit start-up.
A War On Sis? In California, Single Women Will Also Face A Doubling Of Health Insurance Premiums Due To Obamacare
Monday, June 17, 2013, 12:01 am ET; Source: Forbes
In 2014, Obamacare’s blizzard of regulations and mandates will transform the U.S. market for health insurance, among people who buy coverage for themselves.
Cost of MNsure Health Plans a Secret for Now
Sunday, June 16, 2013, 11:02 pm ET; Source: Post-Bulletin
If you're wondering how much you might have to pay for a health plan sold on MNsure, Minnesota's health insurance exchange, you're going to have to wait.
Small Health Insurers Assuming Big Role In Many States Under Obamacare
Friday, June 14, 2013; Source: Insurance Journal
When the state of Mississippi begins offering subsidized health insurance under President Barack Obama’s reform law this year, residents will have only one choice – Magnolia Health Plan – a small insurer little known in most of the country.
Molina Healthcare Announces $158 Million Sale and Lease Back Transaction for Its Corporate Office in California
Monday, June 17, 2013, 7:00 am ET; Source: Business Wire
Molina Healthcare, Inc. today announced that, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Molina Center LLC, it has successfully completed a sale and lease back transaction with the dedicated net lease group of Angelo, Gordon & Co (AG) for $158 million.
Small U.S. Insurers Fill Gaps for Weakest State Health Exchanges
Thursday, June 13, 2013, 12:26 pm ET; Source: Reuters
When the state of Mississippi begins offering subsidized health insurance under President Barack Obama's reform law this year, residents will have only one choice - Magnolia Health Plan - a small insurer little known in most of the country.
Excellus Exceeds Government Standards by $330 Million
Thursday, June 13, 2013, 4:00 pm ET; Source: SteubenCourier.com
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield exceeded federal and state standards by $330 million in the amount it spent on medical benefits on behalf of its membership in 2012, officials reported.
California Would Ban Two Companies from Writing Small Business Policies under Obamacare
Thursday, June 13, 2013; Source: Central Valley Business Times
California state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is recommending that Covered California – the state’s name for the office that will administer the Affordable Care Act -- exclude Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company and Anthem Blue Cross of California from participating in the Small Business Health Options Program Exchange, which is set to begin enrollment of new health insurance coverage in October.
New Business Strategies for Insurers
Thursday, June 13, 2013; Source: healthcare Finance News
In a world where traditional claims management practices no longer work, health plans must embrace new strategies to compete in a changing market, said experts Wednesday at the 2013 AHIP Institute.
Impact of New Health Care Law Disputed in Tennessee
Thursday, June 13, 2013, 10:55 pm ET; Source: Jackson Sun
With less than seven months until President Barack Obama’s health care reforms take full effect, Tennessee Republicans in Congress contend steep premium increases, job losses and denial of access to needed care lie in wait for constituents.
Aetna Names Heads of International, Government Businesses
Friday, June 14, 2013, 9:00 am ET; Source: Bloomberg
Aetna Inc., the third-largest health insurer by market value, appointed new heads to oversee its expanding government and international businesses.
Billing, Provider Issues Top List of OHP Complaints
Thursday, June 13, 2013; Source: The Lund Report
Billing issues, provider rudeness and access to primary care – particularly for people living with chronic pain – top the list of complaints that Oregon Health Plan patients have with providers and the plan itself, said Ellen Pinney, patient ombudsperson for the Oregon Health Authority, at last week’s meeting of Health Share of Oregon's community advisory council.
Expanding Medicaid Coverage is not a Cure-All
Thursday, June 13, 2013; Source: The Washington Post
The debate over “Obamacare” has focused largely on the number of uninsured Americans and how the regulations will be implemented.
Kaiser's Obamacare Rates Surprise Analysts
Wednesday, June 12, 2013, 9:28 pm ET; Source: Los Angeles Times
In California's new state-run health insurance market, Kaiser Permanente will cost you.
Obamacare's Rate Shock Hits the Buckeye State
Wednesday, June 12, 2013, 6:00 pm ET; Source: Washington Examiner
Ohio Department of Insurance officials announced last week that average premiums in the Buckeye state would soar 88 percent once President Obama's health care law kicks in.
Feds OK Hawaii Exchange Plans
Wednesday, June 12, 2013; Source: LifeHealthPro
The federal government is approving technical designs for a new online health insurance marketplace Hawaii is setting up under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
New Jersey Insurance Plan for Pre-Existing Conditions Gets New Federal Contract
Thursday, June 13, 2013, 9:42 am ET; Source: NJ.com
The state Department of Banking and Insurance has secured a $22.6 million federal contract to continue running a health insurance program for people with existing medical conditions.
Obamacare: Is a $2,000 Deductible 'Affordable?'
Thursday, June 13, 2013; Source: CNNMoney.com
Until now, much of the debate swirling around Obamacare has focused on the cost of premiums in the state-based health insurance exchanges.
BlueCross of Western New York Launches New Small Group Health Plan
Tuesday, June 11, 2013; Source: Insurance & Financial Advisor
BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York is offering a new health insurance product named “align,” which operates on a physician-led, patient-centered model.
UnitedHealth Switches Leaders of $21 Billion Pentagon Contract
Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 4:21 pm ET; Source: Bloomberg
The switch follows complaints from the Defense Department and beneficiaries that UnitedHealth’s poor performance had led to delays in obtaining medical care.
Florida Blue Plans to Restructure
Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 1:00 pm ET; Source: Bizjournals.com
Florida Blue plans to reorganize as a policyholder-owned, not-for-profit mutual insurance holding company system.
Pent-up Demand For Healthcare Threatens To Increase Premiums
Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 10:08 am ET; Source: The Wall Street Journal
In a new HealthPocket consumer survey, 42 percent of respondents said they would either see the doctor more frequently or get a medical procedure they had previously delayed if they had better health insurance.
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