| Today's News and Trends | Three sponsors of Medicare Part D plans—UnitedHealth Group, Humana and CVS Health—account for more than half the program’s total enrollment. If proposed mergers involving smaller players like Aetna, Express Scripts and Cigna move ahead, the market would become even more concentrated. Three sponsors of Medicare Part D plans—UnitedHealth Group, Humana and CVS Health—account for more than half the program’s total enrollment. If proposed mergers involving smaller players like Aetna, Express Scripts and Cigna move ahead, the market would become even more concentrated. | |
| After President Donald Trump’s last nominee for VA Secretary withdrew from consideration over numerous allegations about his personal conduct and prescribing habits, Trump has picked Acting VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to take over the role in a full-time capacity. After President Donald Trump’s last nominee for VA Secretary withdrew from consideration over numerous allegations about his personal conduct and prescribing habits, Trump has picked Acting VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to take over the role in a full-time capacity. | |
| UnitedHealth said it costs an average of $9,400 annually to cover a low-income, subsidized enrollee on the marketplace with $7,000 of that cost falling on the federal government. For someone eligible for Medicaid thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the overall cost is $5,400—with $5,100 coming from federal funds. UnitedHealth said it costs an average of $9,400 annually to cover a low-income, subsidized enrollee on the marketplace with $7,000 of that cost falling on the federal government. For someone eligible for Medicaid thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the overall cost is $5,400—with $5,100 coming from federal funds. | |
| TransUnion Healthcare has announced the acquisition of reimbursement technology company Healthcare Payment Solutions (HPS). Adding HPS solutions to its portfolio will boost TransUnion’s position in the post-discharge revenue recovery technology market, the company said. TransUnion Healthcare has announced the acquisition of reimbursement technology company Healthcare Payment Solutions (HPS). Adding HPS solutions to its portfolio will boost TransUnion’s position in the post-discharge revenue recovery technology market, the company said. | |
| The American Hospital Association (AHA) is lending its support to a bill to change the merger review process at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), eliminating the agency’s ability to challenge proposed combinations without going to court. The American Hospital Association (AHA) is lending its support to a bill to change the merger review process at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), eliminating the agency’s ability to challenge proposed combinations without going to court. | |
| Direct federal funding for abortions has been prohibited by Congress for decades, but conservative lawmakers have sought to deny all federal funding to groups like Planned Parenthood for having any involvement in abortion services. Direct federal funding for abortions has been prohibited by Congress for decades, but conservative lawmakers have sought to deny all federal funding to groups like Planned Parenthood for having any involvement in abortion services. | |
| Matt Eyles will take over on June 1 as the new CEO of the health insurance industry’s largest lobbying group, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). Ahead of assuming the top post, he spoke with Vox about several major legislative trends which could impact insurers. Matt Eyles will take over on June 1 as the new CEO of the health insurance industry’s largest lobbying group, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). Ahead of assuming the top post, he spoke with Vox about several major legislative trends which could impact insurers. | |
| The “zero year” of the OneCare Vermont system, operated much like an accountable care organization (ACO) on a statewide level, saw the program come within 1 percent of its financial target. With the model now expanded to cover about 18 percent of the state’s residents, other states are watching closely to see if it could be implemented elsewhere in the U.S. The “zero year” of the OneCare Vermont system, operated much like an accountable care organization (ACO) on a statewide level, saw the program come within 1 percent of its financial target. With the model now expanded to cover about 18 percent of the state’s residents, other states are watching closely to see if it could be implemented elsewhere in the U.S. | |
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