Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Aging Baby Boomers Spark High-Tech Health Innovation
The Washington Post: Firms Gearing Health-Related Technology Toward Baby Boomers
Like many of her fellow baby boomers, Rubin was accustomed to solving problems with the help of advanced tech tools. But she believed that a lot of health-care communications still tended to be more phone-and-fax than apps-and-Web. So Rubin adapted office technology to her caregiving needs. She and her brother, John, continually update a shared Google Docs spreadsheet, tracking their mother’s symptoms, physicians, medications and questions. (Yoquinto, 10/31)
The Wall Street Journal: Cigna Raises Outlook As Results Exceed Expectations
Cigna Corp. again raised its guidance as fee and premium revenue grew along with its customer base in the third quarter. The health insurer’s results easily topped analysts’ expectations. The company predicted earnings for the year of $7.25 to $7.45 a share, up from $7.20 to $7.40. Fellow health insurers WellPoint Inc. and Aetna Inc. also raised their guidance this week, showing how the industry is profiting amid changes brought by the Affordable Care Act. (Wilde Mathews and Calia, 10/30)
Reuters: Cigna Says Obamacare Business Losses On The Decline
Cigna Corp. said on Thursday that financial losses from the new Obamacare health insurance eased in the third quarter, becoming the second insurer this week to say that business was improving. Cigna, Aetna Inc and Humana Inc have said since the beginning of the year that they were posting losses on the plans because their patients were older and sicker than what they had anticipated when they set premiums. Others, like WellPoint Inc., are making a profit, a fact WellPoint confirmed this week was the case in the third quarter. Humana reports next week. (Humer, 10/30)
Meanwhile, Kindred Health names a new CEO -
The Wall Street Journal: Kindred Health Names Operating Chief Breier As New CEO
Kindred Healthcare Inc. on Thursday named operating chief Benjamin Breier as the company’s next chief executive, a key step for the long-term care provider as it moves forward with its acquisition of Gentiva Health Services Inc. Mr. Breier, 43 years old, will succeed Paul Diaz, who will become executive vice chairman of Kindred’s board after a decade in the company’s top executive spot. (Dulaney, 10/30)
