Health care overhaul doubts ease for insurers
Health insurers such as WellPoint Inc. entered last fall cautious about a major coverage expansion initiated by the health care overhaul, but are finding the challenges more manageable than expected.
Government Health Care
Articles
The tragedy of electronic medical records
The federal government has spent $27 billion—and hospital systems have spent even more—to roll out electronic medical records across the industry. But even advocates say the results have been “disappointing.”
Report provides glimpse into liberal concerns about Pence’s HIP 2.0
A new think tank report, which appears to jibe with Obama administration concerns, calls for “significant revision” to the Pence plan.
Thousands affected by Medicaid eligibility change
A change in how eligibility for Medicaid is determined could save Indiana $26 million this fiscal year by pushing thousands of residents off coverage but providing first-time benefits to even more at lower costs.
State settles with drug maker over Medicaid fraud charges
The Indiana attorney general’s office has recovered more than $181,000 for the state Medicaid program by joining with other states and the federal government in a fraud settlement.
Hospitals in quest to shrink emergency room visits
Hospitals around the state have been trying to cut emergency room visits—and Obamacare was supposed to help. But the results have been mixed, according to some local hospitals.
While Pence and Obama dance, these folks are waiting
The Hoosiers waiting for Gov. Mike Pence and President Obama to work out a deal to expand health coverage have median household incomes of less than $10,000, typically have no college education and are disproportionately minorities.
Pence names Adams Indiana’s health commissioner
Gov. Mike Pence has named Indianapolis anesthesiologist Dr. Jerome Adams to be commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Health.
Pence asks HHS for alternative Medicaid approval
The governor met with Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell on Monday in Washington, D.C., but said no deal has been reached yet.
More hospitals hit with do-over penalties
Medicare will reduce payments to 68 Indiana hospitals—a 62-percent increase from last year—for having too many patients return within 30 days.
Pence seeks meeting with Obama on Medicaid plan
Pence asked Obama for the meeting in a letter Thursday, suggesting it could occur while Obama is in southwestern Indiana on Friday to tour a steel processing company to mark Manufacturing Day.
U.S. judge blocks Obamacare tax rule for non-exchange states
An Oklahoma federal judge dealt a blow to President Barack Obama’s health-care law, invalidating IRS rules aimed at making policies affordable for consumers around the country.
If past is prologue, HMOs will make a comeback in Indiana
WellPoint created an HMO joint venture with seven big hospitals in Los Angeles. Could it do something similar here? Quite possibly.
The pain (and pleasure) that comes from paying more of our health care bills
Paying off medical debts over time is now a common experience for families with health insurance and becoming more so. And that is inducing big changes in the health care marketplace.
Advocates seek action on Indiana Medicaid plan
Health care advocates and industry lobbyists are asking federal officials for speedy approval of Indiana's request for a Medicaid expansion.
More insurers to offer health law plans next year
The Health and Human Services department on Tuesday reported a net increase of 63 insurers joining the market in 43 states plus Washington, D.C.
IU Health to bypass Indy next year on Obamacare exchange
IU Health Plans, the insurance arm of the Indianapolis-based hospital system, is limiting itself to three middle-size markets next year—Bloomington, Lafayette and Muncie—even though the bulk of its facilities is in the metro area.
Why small firms have been irate about health insurance
For Indiana employers with fewer than 10 workers, health insurance premiums have risen 11.5 percent, on average, from 2001 to 2013. That ranked second-highest among all states.
Obamacare enrollment at 7.3 million people, official says
That’s a 9-percent reduction from the government’s May estimate of 8 million, which reflected only how many people had signed up, not how many had paid and were enrolled in the coverage.
What if hospitals ‘upcharged’ you for being fat?
As local hospitals try to offer package deals with upfront prices on joint replacement surgeries, they're struggling with the reality that patients' other health conditions can significantly increase their cost of care.