The moving target bedeviling attempts to cut health care costs
In health care, 5 percent of patients account for 50 percent of costs. Trouble is, those patients aren’t the same from year to year. Not even close.
Health Care Costs
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Hoosier docs, hospitals cut jobs while peers nationally keep hiring
In spite of the divergent trend, Indiana still employs more workers in hospitals and doctors’ offices than the nation as a whole.
Regrets of ending an employer health plan
This spring, Keith Pitzele ended his company’s health plan and sent his workers to the Obamacare exchange. It was a bumpy experience he’s glad he won’t have to repeat next year. Does that mean most employers won’t follow suit?
Growth rate for U.S. health tab may have hit bottom
U.S. health care spending grew by the slowest rate in more than a half-century last year, but a speed-up is expected as the economy finally gets traction.
Hospitals enjoy third-quarter recovery
After suffering a financial swoon a year ago, Indiana’s hospitals look like they’re back on firmer—though not rock-solid—footing.
Are workplace wellness programs worth it?
Believe it or not, wellness is now a minefield for businesses. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has taken up three lawsuits against companies because of their wellness programs. And new research finds that wellness programs probably cost employers money.
Obamacare’s Cadillac tax forcing Indiana employers to tap brakes on health benefits
No Hoosier employers want to pay Obamacare’s 40 percent excise tax on health benefits, which hits in 2018. So they are embracing high-deductible plans and putting more responsibility for health care spending on workers.
Report: Half of hospital systems could disappear in next decade
Deloitte consultants say hospitals are about to go the way of department stores, airlines and banks by clustering into fewer and fewer competitors. There’s plenty of evidence from Indiana to support that theory.
Hillenbrand sees rare progress in controlling workers’ weight
Hillenbrand is making headway at a time when most corporations reap little improvement for their investment in wellness programs.
Hospital cost-cutting forces Blood Center to lay off workers, change leaders
Facing the loss of key hospital contracts, the Indiana Blood Center cut 27 jobs on Friday, announced the retirement of its CEO and said it will join a consortium of Midwest blood centers.
Data show 1 in 5 uninsured Hoosiers gained health coverage this year
Even without Medicaid expansion, Obamacare appears to have substantially reduced the more than 900,000 Hoosiers that go without health insurance during a year.
Obamacare exchange 2.0: Anthem far from the cheapest plan
There are more choices and better deals in the 2015 Obamacare exchange, but if you want the same coverage as last year, it’s going to cost you more.
Top 4 questions for Hoosier health care after GOP takes control of Congress
On Obamacare, the new Republican-controlled Congress should “leave the façade of the building and then demolish the inside of it,” according to one GOP leader. If Republicans take that approach, here are four things that could change in the next two years.
Will strip mall medicine help or hurt hospital systems?
Retail clinics and urgent care centers are proliferating. That could expand the market for health care. But if consumers decide instead to make strip malls the front door to their health care—rather than traditional physician offices—the hospital systems could see their market shares waning.
Obamacare launch has goosed WellPoint stock by 50 percent
WellPoint’s stock has benefited the most among major insurers since the 2013 launch of the Obamacare exchanges, along with tax subsidies to buy insurance.
Why small Hoosier employers aren’t dropping their health plans—yet
Obamacare's community rating rules would give 25-percent-off coupons to boomers while sticking millennials with a 75-percent surcharge, according to recent data from employer health plans.
Hendricks Regional Health dangling 15-percent discounts
Hendricks Regional Health is taking a revolutionary step—at least for the health care industry—by applying the retailer’s playbook. Health care executives say more hospital systems are likely to follow suit in the future.
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.
Health clinic operator plans HQ expansion, 203 new jobs
Activate Healthcare LLC, an Indianapolis-based workplace health clinic operator, plans to expand its local operations, adding as many as 203 employees over the next nine years, state economic development officials announced Friday morning.