(Reuters)—California’s insurance commissioner on Thursday urged the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to block health insurer Anthem Inc.’s acquisition of Cigna Corp., saying he is concerned it will raise premiums in the state. Dave Jones, who as insurance commissioner in California does not have authority to approve the deal, says he believes his recommendation will…
Doubts Mount over Merger of Health Insurers Anthem, Cigna
(Reuters)—Wall Street expressed growing doubts about a pending $54 billion merger of U.S. health insurers Anthem Inc. and Cigna Corp. on Monday as news of management squabbles added to concerns over its review by antitrust regulators. Cigna shares closed down 4% at $126.15, well below Anthem’s original $188 per share offer of cash and stock…
Unwelcome News about Medicare’s Rising Drug Plan Costs
CHICAGO (Reuters)—Seniors have received some unpleasant news in their mailboxes in recent weeks: premiums for many Medicare prescription drug insurance plans will rise at double-digit rates next year. Premiums for the ten most popular Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) will rise an average of 8 percent next year—the fastest clip in five years,…
U.S. Doctors Group Says Planned Health Mergers Are Anti-Competitive
NEW YORK (Reuters)—Two proposed mergers of U.S. health insurers worth tens of billions of dollars would hurt competition in commercial health plans in as many as 17 states, the American Medical Association, the U.S. group that represents physicians, said on Tuesday. Aetna Inc. announced plans to buy smaller rival Humana Inc. in early July and…
Drug Safety Alerts: Moving Past the Pony Express to the 21st Century safety alerts.
Have you ever wondered why you are able to get up-to-the-minute sports scores, but it could take weeks to receive potentially lifesaving drug safety alerts? (And that is only if your front-office staff is able to separate the “Dear Doctor” letter from junk mail.)