Pending Mega-Mergers Among Insurers Face Different Levels Of Resistance
The Connecticut Mirror reports that Aetna appears to be clearing regulatory issues in its merger with Humana more easily than Anthem's efforts to merge with Cigna. Outlets also report developments related to not-for-profit integrated health systems, spending trends regarding complementary medicines and the link between salaries and health insurance.
The CT Mirror:
Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna Facing Different Merger Obstacles
Although they both plan to merge with another major insurer, Aetna's and Anthem's paths to completing their deals have diverged. So far, Aetna appears to be clearing the regulatory and antitrust hurdles it faces to merge with Humana more easily, while Anthem's proposed marriage to Cigna has faced more troubles. Neither has yet cleared the hurdle of antitrust approval from the U.S. Justice Department. (Radelat, 6/22)
Modern Healthcare:
Health Systems With Insurance Operations Stumble In 2015
Not-for-profit integrated health systems—or those that combine hospitals, doctors and health insurance operations—continued to churn out surpluses in 2015, but the margins were a lot tighter than the year before, according to new bondholder filings and a review of the Modern Healthcare hospital financial database. (Herman, 6/21)
USA Today:
Study: Americans Spend Billions On Non-Conventional Health Approaches
Americans spend $30.2 billion out-of-pocket on complementary health approaches annually, a substantial percentage of the $328.8 billion spent in total out-of-pocket health care expenditures, a new study says. The study, released by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), used data collected by the 2012 National Health Interview Survey that were then weighted to produce estimates representative of the entire U.S. population. (Shedrofsky, 6/22)
The Tennessean:
The Link Between Your Salary And Health Insurance
The majority of Americans have employer-based health coverage, but not everyone understands the link between salary and benefits. As health care costs continue to rise, an increasing percentage of compensation is in health insurance rather than wages. (Tolbert, 6/21)
