Baldwin profit falls on smaller investment returns
The Indianapolis-based insurer of truck and car fleets earned $5 million in the quarter ended June 30, down from $14.2 million
in the same quarter a year ago.
Health Care & Insurance
Articles
Investors fear insurers’ rosy outlook will boost regulators’ scrutiny
Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc. became the third U.S. health insurer this month to increase its 2010 profit forecast, stirring
investor concern that state and federal regulators may increase scrutiny of industry pricing.
WellPoint gains confidence as profits rise
The Indianapolis-based health insurer raised its full-year profit forecast after it earned $722.4 million, 4 percent higher
than during the same quarter a year ago. Revenue and health plan membership fell.
Exchanges sprout around the country
When the Indiana Health Information Exchange launched in 2004, it was one of nine truly operational exchanges around the country.
Today, the Indianapolis-based organization is one of 73, according to the latest national survey by the eHealth Initiative.
Survey: Many hospital patients in dark about debt-relief options
Marion County survey finds 80 percent of respondents in debt to local hospitals, with about half saying they were never informed
about the availability
of charity care or payment plans.
Lilly completes $180 million acquisition of Alnara
Massachusetts-based Alnara Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a privately held company
developing an enzyme-replacement therapy for disorders of the pancreas.
Medicare driving health care hookups
The scramble by local hospitals to form their physicians and facilities into “clinically integrated” networks
that can do business with employers and health insurers has another huge motivating factor: Beginning January 2012, they can
also do business with Medicare, the massive federal program for seniors.
Indiana Medicaid chief: Feds leave states in dark
Indiana and other states face a struggle as they grapple with putting the health care changes into place in a relatively short
span of time while they also contend with the economic downtown and strained state budgets.
Lilly reveals plans to cut 340 IT jobs
The Indianapolis-based drugmaker eliminated 140 information technology jobs in June through retirements, resignations and some cuts. Another 115
cuts will be made this month, and the remainder by the end of the year.
Health care reform means changes for Indiana employers
Nearly four months after President Barack Obama signed a health reform bill into law, businesses are still grappling with its
impact on the health benefits they offer their employees.
Hilbert mansion to be auctioned
CNO Financial Group Inc. will resort to a sealed-bid auction to unload the lavish Hilbert mansion in Carmel, which has been
on the market for five years. Its latest asking price was $9.9 million.
WellPoint strikes up chat on health reform
WellPoint Inc. is turning from opponent of the health care reform law passed in March to “trusted adviser.” It launched a website, healthychat.com, where company representatives answer customers’ questions about the new health reform law.
Lilly, Roche dive deep into diagnostics
Two Indianapolis giants—Eli Lilly and Co. and Roche Diagnostics—are working hard to pair up drugs and diagnostic
tests to gin up more sales.
Lilly’s Alzheimer’s gamble takes aim at $10 billion in patent losses
Both of Lilly’s late-stage treatments are designed to reduce plaque in the brain called beta amyloid, thought by researchers
to be a main contributor to Alzheimer’s. A drug that stops or reduces memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s may be worth more
than $5 billion
a year, an analyst says, helping Lilly overcome the coming patent losses on several important pharmaceuticals.
Lilly to cut 170 manufacturing jobs by year’s end
Eli Lilly and Co. will cut 170 jobs—mostly in Indianapolis—from its manufacturing and quality division by the
end of the year as it continues its efforts to slim down before losing revenue from patent expirations on its bestselling
drugs.
Shifts at state hospitals to cut 500-plus jobs
The Logansport State Hospital will have 355 workers laid off and 80 vacant positions eliminated under the plan, while 106
people will lose jobs at the Richmond State Hospital.
Hospitals see dip in charity care after 2008
Unemployment in Indiana has moderated slightly, but more than 313,000 Hoosiers remain out of work. And with attempts to extend
benefits for the jobless stalled in Congress, it’s likely more people will struggle to pay medical bills.
PROXY CORNER: Baldwin & Lyons Inc.
Baldwin & Lyons Inc. provides property-and-casualty insurance for various industries, including trucking.
Regenstrief names new CEO
Dr. Bill Tierney will replace Dr. Tom Inui on Oct. 1 at helm of Indianapolis-based medical research organization.
Medical device firm eyeing Indianapolis growth
Greatbatch Medical wants to expand its facility on the east side of Indianapolis to accommodate its entrance into the orthopedics
market. The
New York-based company specializes in cardiovascular products.