APRIL 15-21, 2022
Indianapolis-based health insurer Anthem Inc. has been trying for several years to clamp down on what it considers unnecessary, expensive visits to emergency rooms, but its tactics have come back to bite it. John Russell reports that a federal arbitrator has ordered Anthem to pay $4.5 million to a group of 11 Indiana hospitals that complained Anthem’s policy was unlawful and breached their contracts. Also in this week’ issue, Mickey Shuey and Daniel Bradley examine the record prices paid for Indiana farmland, driven in part by demand from developers. And Dave Lindquist heralds what could be the busiest summer concert season in history—and raises the question of whether there are enough ticket buyers to make it profitable.
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Anthem pays $4.5M to Indiana hospitals in ER billing dispute
An arbitrator ordered the payments, and the hospitals say they can claim at least another $12 million from Anthem for tens of thousands of additional claims that it says the insurer has downgraded and not paid in full.
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Live music roars back with jam-packed summer concert series
Plus, see IBJ arts reporter Dave Lindquist’s picks for can’t-miss shows at a variety of area venues.
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Indiana’s farmland prices hit historic high
In June 2021, the market value of top-quality farmland increased to $9,785 per acre, up 13% from a year earlier, according to the Purdue University Farmland Value and Cash Rents Survey.
Read MoreFour Republicans eye Indiana House seat in northwest suburbs
A former state lawmaker, two military veterans and a small business owner are in a crowded primary race for a chance to nab the new Indiana House seat representing Boone and Hendricks counties.
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Q&A with Cathy Ferree, CEO of the Indiana State Museum
Ferree, who started her career as a security guard at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, now oversees a staff of about 150 and an annual budget of $12 million at the state museum and the state’s historic sites.
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Mike Lopresti: The story of an old coach turned new coach
His story is so Butlerish. Played there, coached there, met his wife in Hinkle Fieldhouse, sent his daughters to Butler, has been a season ticket holder. “The Butler Way” phrase was his idea, and he should have trademarked it, like the boxing announcer did “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
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Elanco unveils plans for new ‘epicenter of animal health innovation’
Elanco Animal Health Inc. on Tuesday broke ground and shared new designs for its planned $100 million-plus global headquarters at the former General Motors Stamping Plant site just west of downtown Indianapolis.
Read MoreDeveloper plans $32M senior housing project sandwiched between St. Vincent, 86th and Ditch
Indianapolis-based Birge & Held envisions a 160-unit apartment community for seniors of limited means on roughly 3.3 acres at 1621 W. 86th St.
Read MoreFormer state senator Waltz pleads guilty to felony campaign finance violations
Former state Sen. Brent Waltz pleaded guilty on Monday to two felonies related to an FBI investigation into his role in receiving illegal campaign donations from a casino.
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Staffing and supply woes complicate business for hospitality industry as pandemic eases
Restaurants, just like hotels, had to let most of their staffs go early in the pandemic because there was no one for them to serve. But now that business is picking up again, many of those former restaurant and hotel staffers have moved on.
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Editorial: City-County Council is wise to explore carbon credit options
Using carbon credits to help fund Indy Parks or land acquisition is not a slam dunk. But it’s an idea worth learning more about.
Read MoreNate Feltman: Elanco planned HQ campus is promising for downtown growth
CEO Jeff Simmons’ goal is to make Indianapolis “an epicenter of animal health innovation.” While a bold goal, Simmons has proven he is a bold leader who prioritizes the growth of his company, as well as the community.
Read MoreChris Watts: State and local budgets aren’t immune from inflation
Our healthy state budget surplus provides some insulation against inflation, at least for the near term. Local governments are more vulnerable to elevated costs lingering into next year.
Read MoreMarty Wood: Hospitals should provide more transparency in pricing
Health insurers must publicly file rates with the Indiana Department of Insurance and those filings must outline all aspects of what goes into the rates, including profit. Nowhere can that same information be found for hospitals because they are unregulated.
Read MoreLiz Malatestinic: Don’t overlook older employees
Yes, you are very familiar with the Great Resignation, but how much do you know about the “Great Retirement?” The phenomenon is real.
Read MorePeter Dunn: Don’t compare your finances. It doesn’t matter.
Unfortunately, comparing ourselves to others doesn’t stop when we matriculate through elementary school. In fact, it gets worse. And at the root of the comparison, you’ll most often find money.
Read MoreCecil Bohanon & Nick Curott: Average inflation targeting was never a good idea
One little heralded change was when the Fed moved in 2019 from a two percent inflation target to a two percent average inflation target.
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Cafe Patachou, Amelia’s Bread among four tenants lined up for revamped Stutz
SomeraRoad Inc., which acquired the Stutz Motor Car Co. factory complex last year for $25.8 million, confirmed Friday the four businesses will open on the ground floor of two Stutz buildings closest to the intersection of North Capitol Avenue and 10th Street.
Read MoreDean of IU business school stepping down after decade
Idaline Kesner is the first woman to lead the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, which has 14,471 enrollees in Bloomington, Indianapolis and online.
Read MoreFormer hospital exec Kitchell picked to chair Governor’s Workforce Cabinet
Former Indiana University Health executive Ryan Kitchell will replace former chair and Indiana Higher Education Commissioner Teresa Lubbers, who announced she would step down from both roles in November.
Read MoreTanya Bell Mckinzie to exit Indiana Black Expo leadership role
Alice Watson, Indiana Black Expo’s senior vice president of operations and project management, was named as Mckinzie’s successor.
Read MoreAgriNovus to launch tech-focused challenge to combat hunger
The challenge, to be called HungerTech, will invite participants to come up with tech-focused ideas for improving grocery delivery access for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
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