The Cigna Group stands poised to reap the rewards of utilization normalization in the back-half of the decade. Specifically, the company is taking steps to reduce exposure to government programs such as Medicare that have been stingy with rate increases in recent years and to address sources of member abrasion such as prescription costs and accessibility of care in an effort to drive commercial business growth in what is a highly competitive industry.
Eight Philadelphia nonprofit health systems — including the University of Pennsylvania Health System — filed an antitrust lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield Association this month. The lawsuit — which was filed in the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania — claims that Blue Cross Blue Shield and affiliated insurance companies violated antitrust law, forcing hospitals and doctors to accept lower rates. Health systems across Pennsylvania alleged in the suit that insurers' drove down reimbursements and increased the cost of insurance.
The Big Apple's largest public-employee insurer has agreed to provide previously redacted healthcare data that could help rein in astronomical prices New York hospitals charge patients, The Post has learned Anthem Blue Cross' sudden change of heart Saturday came a week after The Post reported on the flawed 263-page report by the city Health Department's new Office of Healthcare Accountability, which found wild price inconsistencies across city hospitals. For example, a colonoscopy may run $940 at one hospital and $12,000 in another. Same for a cesarean-section delivery, which ranged from $7,000 to $58,000.
Californians could soon be voting on a new healthcare law named after Luigi Mangione, the Ivy League grad who is accused of executing the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in cold blood. The "Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act," was put forward by retired Los Angeles attorney Paul Eisner, who said the sick stunt was necessary to get publicity for his proposal.
UnitedHealthcare could drop Hartford HealthCare on Tuesday if the two sides can't come to terms on a contract. The current contract is set to expire today. If the deal does not happen, Hartford HealthCare would be considered out of network. United said it made an offer to Hartford HealthCare on Friday, but the dispute continued. The insurer claims the healthcare network's demands would raise costs by $185 million.
Senate Republicans are working to change a House GOP tax plan to require fewer cuts in Medicaid health benefits for the poor and disabled, seeking to mollify members of the party worried about a public backlash. The move, which is not finalized, also pares back requirements for other spending cuts but risks alienating deficit hawks in both the Senate and the House. Fiscal conservatives in the party want steep spending cuts to help offset the multi-trillion-dollar tax-cut package.