Reform will boost health care costs, Indianapolis panel predicts
Rising costs aren't the only impact of reform, say panelists taking part in a Power Breakfast sponsored by Indianapolis Business Journal.
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Health reform forces providers, insurers to lay aside rivalries
In this new age of health care, ushered in by President Obama’s signing in March of a sweeping health care reform law, health care players are encouraged to remove the gloves if they want to reap the benefits of reform.
Insurers ordered to appear at Frankfort hearing
Major health insurers, including Indianapolis-based Anthem, are being ordered to a hearing to explain why they are eliminating child-only policies.
Health overhaul’s $264M question weighs down WellPoint
The failure by state regulators to decide how much insurers must spend on patient care is scaring investors from health-plan stocks and complicating insurance company decisions.
Health insurer cash shifts to favor Republicans before election
Health insurers led by WellPoint Inc. are backing Republicans with campaign donations by an 8-to-1 margin, favoring the party
that’s promised to repeal President Barack Obama’s health-care overhaul if it wins back Congress.
Hospitals map out ways to bypass insurers
Clarian Health is launching its own health insurance plan, the boldest of several initiatives at Indianapolis hospitals to
bypass health insurers and provide health benefits directly to employers.
Insurer WellPoint plans online care option
WellPoint plans to build a network of primary care doctors and specialists who will be available any time to consult with
patients.
Obama gives states $250 million to review insurance premiums
WellPoint may face the most threat from more aggressive reviews. The Indianapolis insurer is the leader in small-business
and individual policies, areas that have seen the biggest increases in recent years.
Buffett bails on WellPoint
Influential investor sold off all 1.3 million shares in the Indianapolis-based health insurer during the first quarter.
WellPoint meeting ends abruptly as Bush collapses
Board member William “Bucky” Bush, uncle of former President George W. Bush, appeared OK after a shortened meeting in which
shareholders approved
a “say-on-pay” proposal. Protesters gathered outside WellPoint’s headquarters after the meeting.
Anthem Blue Cross withdraws big California rate hike
Anthem Blue Cross withdrew plans to raise health insurance rates for Californians by as much as 39 percent after an independent
audit determined the company’s justification for raising premiums was based on flawed data.
WellPoint gets lashing from Sebelius, again
Indianapolis-based health insurer trades jabs with U.S. health secretary after Reuters story claims insurer deliberately cancels
coverage for breast cancer patients.
Medicare Advantage may survive cuts under health reform
The two largest U.S. health insurance companies, UnitedHealth, based in Minnetonka, Minn., and WellPoint Inc., based in Indianapolis,
sell Advantage plans.
Anthem Blue Cross postponing rate hike again
In January, Anthem Blue Cross notified many individual policyholders that their rates would rise as much as 39 percent March
1. After a public outcry, the company announced a two-month delay. Now that is on hold, too.
Democrats want government approval of health premiums
Insurers like WellPoint Inc. should be required to get U.S. approval to increase premiums, Sens. Diane Feinstein and Tom Harkin
say.
Shareholder group wants WellPoint to become not-for-profit
Proposal at annual meeting will ask health insurer to study feasibility of converting to not-for-profit status.
Simon Property Group adds Glasscock to board
Former WellPoint Inc. leader Larry Glasscock has joined the board of directors of the Indianapolis-based real estate giant.
WellPoint expects loss of 400,000 insured members this year
Indianapolis-based health insurer expects revenue, profit to fall as persistently high unemployment reduces employer-sponsored
insurance enrollment.
WellPoint affiliate ordered to pay $206K for transplant
Blue Cross of California has been ordered to reimburse a man $206,000 after he paid for his own liver transplant.
WellPoint may be anti-competitive, Connecticut AG says
WellPoint Inc.’s Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Connecticut may constrain competition through contracts that require
that the insurer receives hospital discounts at least as favorable as any provided to a competitor.