Short-term health policy sales surge despite plan limitations

Those who develop health problems can always switch to a ACA plan to cover pre-existing conditions, insiders note.

By Nina Flanagan • April 12, 2016

How the disruptive insurer Harken Health is tackling the Illinois, Georgia markets

The insurer is optimistic after opening its primary care sites in Chicago and Atlanta. 

By Nina Flanagan • April 12, 2016

Florida, California take on surprise medical bills

Two more states are pursuing legislation akin to that established in New York.

By Heather Caspi • April 12, 2016

New York expects to enroll 470,000 in low-cost health plan

The state is targeting its remaining uninsured with this new option available under the Affordable Care Act. 

By Heather Caspi • April 12, 2016

Covered California first state exchange to set quality, cost standards for health plans

The organization will exclude providers offering low-quality or over-priced care from plan networks as soon as 2019.

By Heather Caspi • April 11, 2016

Majority of Americans say healthcare price, quality not connected

Perceptions of a price/quality connection could impact the movements toward transparency and price shopping.

By Heather Caspi • April 11, 2016

GAO report highlights ACA state exchange security flaws

Hundreds of thousands of users' data were vulnerable to hackers in California, Kentucky and Vermont's exchange websites.

By Heather Caspi • April 11, 2016

New CMS payment model largest multi-payer initiative to date, could include 20K doctors

The Comprehensive Primary Care Plus model seeks to give providers freedom to deliver care that best meets patients' needs.

By Jeff Byers • April 11, 2016

UnitedHealth leaving Georgia, Arkansas ACA markets

The largest insurer in America hasn't stated whether or not it will leave additional state markets.

By Jeff Byers • April 8, 2016

CMS releases final 2017 summary of benefits and coverage template

The new SBC includes a coverage example for a simple fracture and information on cost-sharing and hyperlinking capabilities. 

By Meg Bryant • April 8, 2016

Tenet leaves S&P's 500 index, joins MidCap 400

Beauty store chain Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance will take the corporation's place.

By Ana Mulero • April 8, 2016

Former UnitedHealthcare CEO raises $80M for payer startup

Bright Health is betting digital health is on their side as they wade into the murky waters of establishing an insurance business.

By Nina Flanagan • April 7, 2016

Aetna pays employees up to $500 per year to sleep

The insurer argues the investment pays back in worker productivity and improved decision-making.

By Heather Caspi • April 7, 2016

Study identifies top 3 price-shopped procedures

The biggest issue remains getting people to price shop in the first place, researchers say.

By Heather Caspi • April 6, 2016

Report calls on IRS to tap data to find uninsured

Federal officials have the capacity to find many of the uninsured--if they want to, researchers say.

By Heather Caspi • April 6, 2016

Employer-based coverage surprisingly stable post-ACA

Large employers are likely to continue to provide coverage for the next 10 years, the CBO estimates.

By Heather Caspi • April 6, 2016

What happens if Obamacare is repealed?

It's possible the ACA could be repealed or amended. 

By Julie Henry • April 6, 2016

Aetna taps Hertz lawyer as new general counsel and EVP

The insurer's newest top execs know a thing or two about building brand loyalty.

By Heather Caspi • April 5, 2016

FL officials OK Anthem/Cigna acquisition, downplay state antitrust concerns

Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation said neither company has a dominant presence in the state's market.

By Nina Flanagan • April 5, 2016

ACA, ICD-10 driving healthcare payer BPO market to hit $34.2B by 2022, report finds

Other key market influencers include an aging population and more insurance coverage. 

By Nina Flanagan • April 5, 2016

Government primes federal cybersecurity reporting rules for insurers

Insurers covering federal employees will have to satisfy new reporting requirements.

By Heather Caspi • April 4, 2016

Hospice provider AseraCare prevails over DOJ in twisty fraud case

Case observers say the decision was reached through a highly unusual and debatable process.

By Heather Caspi • April 4, 2016

CMS' final 2017 Medicare Advantage rates lower than expected

The updates are designed to improve payment accuracy for plans that serve dually eligible or low-income beneficiaries. 

By Ana Mulero • April 4, 2016

Humana CEO's op-ed outlines optimism for Medicare Advantage

While waiting for its acquisition from Aetna to close, CEO Bruce Broussard is touting the benefits of its 3.3 million Medicare Advantage members.

By Meg Bryant • April 1, 2016

Drug data in ACA risk pools: A wonky topic insurers, pharma & gov can agree on

Following the release of CMS white paper, insurers and pharma show support for using drug data to compare whether various patients pools' risk assessment.

By Meg Bryant • April 1, 2016