Hospitals Take New Look At Becoming Insurers
The interest within the hospital industry is fueled in part by the insurance sector's consolidation trend and desire to keep more consumer dollars in house, notes Reuters. Meanwhile, Reuters also reports on the role the American College of Physicians sees for retail clinics within the health system.
Reuters:
As U.S. Insurers Aim To Get Bigger, Hospitals Eye Plan Entry
As U.S. health insurers chart an unprecedented consolidation of the industry, hospitals are taking a fresh look at becoming insurers themselves to keep more of their patients' healthcare dollars in house. Among the country's largest insurers, Aetna Inc struck a deal to buy Humana Inc, while Anthem Inc agreed to acquire Cigna Corp. Both transactions are expected to draw months of scrutiny by U.S. antitrust regulators and Congress. (Kelly, 10/13)
Reuters:
Retail Health Clinics Should Be Backup To Regular MDs, U.S. Doctors Say
Retail health clinics found inside pharmacies and other stores should be used as backups to people’s regular doctors, says a large group of U.S. physicians. The recommendation is one of six included in a position paper from the American College of Physicians (ACP) that aims to build a framework for retail health clinics underscoring patient safety, communication and collaboration. (Seaman, 10/12)
