Time to snuff out public smoking
The Indiana General Assembly should pass a bill into law that bans smoking in public places.
Health Care & Insurance
Articles
WellPoint could grow during tough time for health insurers
The health insurance industry — hurt by falling profits and threatened by Democratic reform bills — could see
another wave of
consolidation, and that may well involve Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc.
Nurse shortage still a major work force issue in Indiana
As the bedrock of the United State’s health care delivery framework, the nursing profession represents the top need for open
health care positions across Indiana and much of the nation.
Hospitals seek mergers to save costs
Marion County hospital systems anticipate more mergers, possibly with each other.
Anthem: tops in Indiana, but middle of the road nationally
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana ranked highest among health care plans that primarily serve Indiana, but didn’t
even crack the top 100 nationally in a new study.
New health plans will cost more later
Consumer-driven health plans will lead to greater medical expenses later because people avoid going to the doctor now.
As workers lose jobs, Shelbyville hospital loses money
Because major employers in Shelby County have laid off workers, Major Hospital isn’t getting as much income from employer-based
medical insurance plans.
Indianapolis eye surgeon popularizes new transplant technique
Dr. Francis Price Jr. has brought hundreds of eye surgeons to Indianapolis to train them in how to use
a new cornea transplant technique that has swept the ophthalmology field—DSEK, which stands
for Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty.
Old St. Francis Hospital may become mix of retail, senior apartments, offices
The city of Beech Grove is working on a redevelopment proposal for its St. Francis Hospital campus. Tentative plans call for
a mix of office space, apartments for seniors, and retail space.
St. Francis Hospitals, Anthem disagree over health insurance reimbursements
The St. Francis hospital system and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana are haggling over insurance reimbursement
costs. The original demand of Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc. would have increased reimbursement amounts $80 million
over three years, Rick Rhodes, an Anthem regional vice president, wrote in an Oct. 30 letter to employers covered by Anthem.
The increase would mean $12 million more in out-of-pocket costs to Anthem customers. But St. Francis claims its request for
an increase only brings it in line with what other hospitals are getting.
Hoosiers need greater access to quality health care
Indiana’s economic woes are long standing and may be having an adverse effect on the health of our people,
because Hoosiers can’t consistently gain access to excellent health care.
Pacers, Clarian Health offer free health screenings
On Oct. 31, the Indiana Pacers announced a partnership with Clarian Health to improve health awareness for area residents.
Study says consumerism cuts costs
Consumer-directed health plans really work, at least according to WellPoint Inc., which has made a big push to sell them recently.
OneAmerica well positioned to acquire other insurance companies
OneAmerica Financial Partners Inc. has made no secret of its desire to acquire other companies. Well, if it wants to buy,
it could hardly find a better time.
Winona lacks evidence to prove fraudulent money transfer
The trustee for Winona Memorial Hospital lost in court against the hospital’s former owner earlier this month — but
not without
receiving a bit of vindication from the judge in the case.
WellPoint, St. Francis battle over insurer’s IT problems
A year of computer snafus boiled over Oct. 13 when the St. Francis system declared WellPoint Inc. in breach of its contract
because of habitually late payments.
Rooney’s death spawns uncertainty for struggling insurance company, not-for-profit
After the unexpected death of insurance magnate J. Patrick Rooney, two organizations he led until the day he died are scrambling
to figure out who will lead them into the future.
WellPoint pushes sales force to market life, dental, vision
WellPoint Inc. touts as the company’s biggest strength its dominant market share in its health insurance markets. But now
the officers of the company are working to branch out beyond health insurance. They’re training their sales force
on how to better sell dental, vision and even life and disability insurance–which WellPoint refers to as its specialty group
of products.
Ex-WellPoint VP sues, says he was axed for testifying in drug case
WellPoint Inc. prides itself on working to hold down the rising cost of health care. But to hear one of its former vice
presidents tell it, the company retaliated against him when he worked to do just that. In a lawsuit against
WellPoint, Dr. Randy Axelrod claims his former employer forced him out when he tried to curtail a drugmaker’s
controversial pricing strategy that was costing WellPoint money.
WellPoint expected to look for growth overseas
WellPoint Inc., the most dominant health insurer in the United States, registers as barely a pipsqueak in the rest of the
world. But it’s only a matter of time, say industry experts, before WellPoint plunges into foreign markets to grow sales of
its health benefits and services.