Study: The 4 major hospital rating systems contradict one another

The systems are so inconsistent that very few hospitals got comparable ratings across all four.

March 4, 2015

BCBSNC posts first financial loss since 1999

The company blames its results on the ACA, but says this was not a surprise. 

By Heather Caspi • March 3, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Payer/provider relationships

As M&A intensifies and companies embrace more holistic and value-based care models, partnerships have become more closely intertwined.

By Healthcare Dive staff

Sign-ups open for CMS Network to discuss payment overhaul

The agency says there will only be incentive for payment reform if "a critical mass of payers" align their efforts.

By Heather Caspi • March 3, 2015

United patients to receive benefits during negotiations with Carolinas Healthcare

If the contract expires, it will affect 12 hospitals and many doctors offices serving almost 80,000 members. 

By Julie Henry • March 2, 2015

Report: Primary care docs opting out of Medicaid as enrollment grows

What are the main reasons for the decline in participation? 

By Julie Henry • March 2, 2015

Aetna accuses Texas hospital of kickback and billing schemes

The high-end hospital in turn accuses Aetna of suing out-of-network providers to coerce them into unfair contracts.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 27, 2015

Feds give free pass to those who filed with wrong marketplace info

About 800,000 people who are insured through Healthcare.gov and qualified for premium tax credits were mailed incorrect information.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 27, 2015

Burwell: No contingency plan if ACA subsidies struck down

Despite the announcement, not everyone is buying it. 

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 26, 2015

Humana tackles obesity with Weight Watchers partnership

Does the offering provide sufficient incentive for weight loss?

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 26, 2015

Health Care Cost Institute launches price comparison site

"There are some [medical providers] who’ve said this is really going to affect our bottom line and be really difficult for us to deal with," said the Institute's executive director.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 26, 2015

Fallout from Anthem breach extends to other Blues

Legal experts are watching to see whether other plans will be held liable for the activities of their business associate, Anthem.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 25, 2015

CMS to monitor Medicare Advantage provider directories

The agency is coming down on insurers with problematic in-network provider lists.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 25, 2015

Will late ACA enrollments be a benefit or a burden to insurers?

The addition of a second enrollment period for 2015 could swing the balance of healthy vs. sick.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 25, 2015

Cleveland Clinic considers launching insurance plan

Yet another big provider is considering a move into the payer market. 

By Katie Bo Williams • Feb. 25, 2015

Gallup: Uninsured rates fall to seven-year low

Arkansas and Kentucky chart the biggest drops.

Feb. 25, 2015

Humana, Aetna predict Medicare Advantage funding dip in 2016

But at least one big Medicare Advantage issuer regarded the CMS rate cut proposal as good news. 

Feb. 25, 2015

Plans without hospital benefits blocked under ACA

The decision addresses what some considered a loophole for large employers. 

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 24, 2015

CMS proposes 1% pay cut for Medicare Advantage

...but the agency says it will result in an average pay boost for issuers. 

By Katie Bo Williams • Feb. 23, 2015

Ascension subsidiary to buy MI health insurer for $50M

The subsidiary states that its "primary business is to own and operate businesses that are part of the population health management platform of Ascension."

By Katie Bo Williams • Feb. 21, 2015

Justice Department examines Humana's risk-adjustment practices

Humana is not the first Medicare Advantage insurer eyed over their patient risk scores.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 20, 2015

Anthem moves on from breach with new acquisition

Anthem's plans with Simply Healthcare Holdings had been in the works long before the breach.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 20, 2015

Can physician-led ACOs keep physicians independent?

The new partnership between the Texas Medical Association and BCBS has been widely misreported as an ACO but in fact has a much broader scope. 

By Katie Bo Williams • Feb. 19, 2015

UnitedHealthcare set to part ways with Carolinas HealthCare

One of the impacted hospitals has begun notifying UnitedHealthcare members that they will have to pay out-of-network prices.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 19, 2015

Dignity credits CA provider fee program for 300% jump in operating surplus

The program, which benefits California hospitals that serve Medi-Cal patients, was on hold for much of 2014 pending an extension. 

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 19, 2015

Boeing contracts with two ACOs for individually-designed plans

Open enrollment started Jan. 1 for Boeing's 30,000 eligible employees.

By Heather Caspi • Feb. 19, 2015