Obamacare sign-up tally dips slightly, to 8.7 million
HealthCare.gov enrollment reached nearly 95 percent of last year's level, outperforming projections in a show of consumer demand, despite a shortened sign-up season and big cuts in the ad budget.
Health Insurance
Articles
All eyes on Anthem after CVS megadeal
Pressure is building on the insurer to drop its conservative, bread-and-butter approach after one of its biggest rivals, Aetna Inc., agreed to be bought by drugstore chain CVS Health for $69 billion.
Anthem confirms appointment of Boudreaux as CEO
Former UnitedHealth Group executive Gail Boudreaux, 57, is succeeding Joseph Swedish, 66, who will serve as executive chairman until mid-2018.
Trendy high-deductible health insurance plans lead patients to skip care
High-deductible health plans are booming in popularity, but, in an effort to save money, too many people are skipping preventive care even though such visits are covered 100 percent.
Employers, workers brace for another round of health premium increases
The National Business Group on Health is projecting the total cost of providing medical and pharmacy benefits to increase 5 percent for the fifth consecutive year in 2018.
Anthem takes harder line on ER visits
Starting Oct. 1, Anthem said, it could deny claims for hundreds of non-emergency diagnosis codes, such as bruises, rashes, minor burns, swimmer’s ear and athlete’s foot.
Flat-fee payment model bypasses traditional health insurance
Without dozens of insurance claims to file and follow up, physicians cut administrative overhead, reduce costs and keep their practices limited to a few hundred patients, rather than a few thousand.
Worry rises over future of HIP 2.0 insurance program
Indiana hospitals are bracing for congressional action that could mean deep cuts in Medicaid, which funds the state’s popular health insurance program for low-income adults.
Anthem vows failed deal won’t derail growth plans
Just weeks after abandoning its proposed $48 billion merger with rival Cigna Corp., the Indianapolis-based health insurer is looking for its next deal. But this time, it is likely to be much smaller.
Insurance giant buying American Health Network doctor group
In the latest sign of health care consolidation, Indiana’s largest independent physician group has agreed to be acquired by the nation’s largest health insurer for $184 million.
Indiana Democrats raise alarm bells on Medicaid cuts
Indiana officials are sounding alarm bells about a plan by Republicans in Congress to cut Medicaid spending.
OneAmerica bets big on long-term-care market
Fast-growing business lines are hard to come by in the insurance industry. Locally based OneAmerica Financial Partners Inc. has one on its hands, and it’s beefing up efforts to capitalize.
As pricing criticism mounts, Lilly, other drugmakers roll out pay for performance
In Lilly’s partnership with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, the not-for-profit insurer gets additional rebates if fewer patients using Lilly's diabetes treatment Trulicity meet blood sugar goals than expected.
Holcomb’s HIP 2.0 waiver likely to sail through Washington
The Trump administration and its pick to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are likely to champion the approach behind HIP 2.0—a Medicaid expansion that requires those receiving insurance coverage to have "skin in the game" by contributing financially.
GOP president, Congress could dump medical-device tax
For years, medical-device makers in Indiana and around the nation have insisted that the 2.3 percent tax on sales to help fund the Affordable Care Act has hurt business and slowed innovation.
Anthem experts testify Cigna merger won’t hurt competition
Anthem Inc. fired back against U.S. claims that the health insurer’s planned $48 billion takeover of rival Cigna Corp. will undermine competition.
Patients rush to surgery before insurance deductibles reset
For patients, the difference between getting an operation now or in January could amount to thousands of dollars out of pocket.
New pricing pressure hinders Lilly push to kick-start sales
The company's top-selling product, the insulin Humalog, saw U.S. sales by volume rise 10 percent in the third quarter. But because of rebates and other discounts, revenue dropped 14 percent.
Rules mandate some firms cover transgender services
Starting Jan. 1, any health care organization that takes federal money for health purposes can’t refuse to provide transgender services.
Health advocates gain favor to help employees navigate health care complexities
Employers began hiring health advocates in earnest nationwide about four years ago, fueled by implementation of the Affordable Care Act and growing public awareness that provider rates and quality can differ greatly.