After Much Scrutiny, HHS Releases Health Insurance Exchange Rules
Industry and consumer groups are poring over more than 200 pages of long-awaited proposed federal rules on state-based insurance exchanges, a critical element of the federal health law.
Health Law Provision Could Cost Delaware Hundreds Of Insurance Jobs
Cigna and other insurers are upset coverage for Americans living abroad is not exempted from health law.
Help wanted: Doctors to limit expensive tests, hospital visits and high-cost surgeries. You’re not likely to see such a direct job listing, but managed care companies are getting into the business of running physician groups as a strategy to keep costs down, as Kaiser Health News reported over the weekend. Hospitals, larger physician groups and […]
Managed Care Enters The Exam Room As Insurers Buy Doctor Groups
Large health insurers are trying to curb rising costs by gaining control over those who provide care: doctors.
Former HHS Secretary Leavitt Says Most States Aren’t On Track To Meet Exchange Deadline
“The clock is running out,” says the health care consultant who has been working with states on the issue.
Blue Shield Of California Sets Profit Cap Other Insurers May Not Imitate
Blue Shield of California’s decision to cap profits at 2 percent was widely applauded, but other health insurers aren’t likely to follow suit.
States Turn To Foundations To Help Pay Costs of Health Overhaul
Tight budgets are driving more than a dozen states to ask foundations for financial help with setting up exchanges and taking other actions required under the federal health law.
Medicaid Managed Care Expands In California As State Adds Many Seniors And Disabled
Even critics of managed care are warming to the idea of including nearly 400,000 seniors and disabled person now receiving health care through the traditional Medi-Cal program. The shift to managed care begins today and will be phased in.
Md. Health Secretary Sharfstein: Health Law Brings ‘Fast And Furious’ Opportunity
Dr. Joshua Sharfstein says his state, which is well ahead of many in implementing the overhaul, is eager to leverage federal help to improve health options.
Health Insurers Opening Their Own Clinics To Trim Costs
Some private plans serving people in Medicare and Medicaid have set up health care centers to help make sure patients get needed treatments and avoid hospitalizations.
Federal Medicaid Teams Deployed To Help States Cut Costs Get Mixed Reviews
Nearly half of the states have received some type of help, including 11 states with Republican governors.
As Medicaid Budgets Squeezed, States Consider Eccentric Ideas On Cutting Costs
Interest groups, businesses and other policy proponents are pushing to capitalize on states’ dire Medicaid shortfalls.
Health Insurers Respond To Reform By Snapping Up Less-Regulated Businesses
Health insurance companies respond to new regulations by expanding into related
Wisconsin Union Battle Masks Medicaid Tensions
Democrats say Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to tackle a two-year $3.6 billion deficit by making speedy changes in health care programs needs wider scrutiny.
Obama’s Medicare ‘Doc Fix’ Under Fire
In his 2012 budget, the president proposed a two-year, $54 billion solution to stop the scheduled cuts to doctors who treat Medicare patients. The plan draws on savings from a variety of sources, including states, drug makers
Heavyweight Budget Fight: Entitlements Vs. The Deficit
Funding entitlements and a push to tame the budget deficit are fighting for the hearts and minds of lawmakers as the Obama administration readies its 2012 budget.
Blumenthal To Leave Obama’s Health IT Office
Harvard researcher paved the way for a $27 billion effort to push doctors and hospitals into the digital age.
Insurer and Hospital System: Why Can’t We Be Friends?
In North Carolina’s Research Triangle, two forces so often at odds — a major health care system and the region’s dominant insurer — announced that they would work together in the interest of better, cheaper medicine.
State Legislators Push To Penalize Officials For Implementing Health Overhaul
In several states, lawmakers are advancing bills that would make it illegal for state officials to put the federal health overhaul into place. Even if the bills become state laws, though, they would likely be found unconstitutional.
Zeke Emanuel, Adviser On Health Reform, Leaves White House
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, a health care adviser in the Office of Management and Budget and brother of Rahm Emanuel, returned to his post at the National Institutes of Health this week.
