Startup car wash chain aims for high-end splash
There’s no shortage of car washes around Indianapolis. But the owners of Prime Car Wash think the competition has missed a spot—both here and around the country.
J.K. Wall
Articles
The moving target bedeviling attempts to cut health care costs
In health care, 5 percent of patients account for 50 percent of costs. Trouble is, those patients aren’t the same from year to year. Not even close.
Hoosier docs, hospitals cut jobs while peers nationally keep hiring
In spite of the divergent trend, Indiana still employs more workers in hospitals and doctors’ offices than the nation as a whole.
Regrets of ending an employer health plan
This spring, Keith Pitzele ended his company’s health plan and sent his workers to the Obamacare exchange. It was a bumpy experience he’s glad he won’t have to repeat next year. Does that mean most employers won’t follow suit?
Three hospitals part of plan to provide Ebola care
Indianapolis hospital leaders have spent the past two months ironing out a plan to deal with any cases of Ebola that emerge in Indiana. The plan is aimed at ensuring effective care while also minimizing the need to bring other hospital services to a virtual halt while patients are under care.
Feds drop case against former Lilly scientists accused of stealing secrets
Federal prosecutors dropped all charges against two scientists accused of stealing trade secrets worth $55 million from Eli Lilly and Co. after new information emerged last month, according to a court motion made Friday.
Pence’s top education adviser named Fairbanks Foundation CEO
Claire Fiddian-Green led the Center for Career & Education Innovation, which Gov. Mike Pence said he would dissolve to “restore harmony and trust” with Glenda Ritz, the superintendent of public instruction.
Teachers to receive $30 million in performance-based grants
The State of Indiana announced $30 million in grants Thursday to 1,317 schools around Indiana to reward their performance on the state standardized tests and graduation rates.
Hospitals enjoy third-quarter recovery
After suffering a financial swoon a year ago, Indiana’s hospitals look like they’re back on firmer—though not rock-solid—footing.
Revenue has nearly tripled in past two years for blood-test maker
PTS Diagnostics engineered an about-face on its business plan five years ago, ditching its retail strategy to focus on serving physicians and nurse practitioners. This year, PTS is on pace to record revenue of nearly $50 million, up from $17 million two years ago.
Are workplace wellness programs worth it?
Believe it or not, wellness is now a minefield for businesses. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has taken up three lawsuits against companies because of their wellness programs. And new research finds that wellness programs probably cost employers money.
Obamacare’s Cadillac tax forcing Indiana employers to tap brakes on health benefits
No Hoosier employers want to pay Obamacare’s 40 percent excise tax on health benefits, which hits in 2018. So they are embracing high-deductible plans and putting more responsibility for health care spending on workers.
UnitedHealthcare to test dominance of WellPoint
After sitting on the sidelines this year, UnitedHealthcare is getting back into Indiana’s individual-insurance game.
Report: Half of hospital systems could disappear in next decade
Deloitte consultants say hospitals are about to go the way of department stores, airlines and banks by clustering into fewer and fewer competitors. There’s plenty of evidence from Indiana to support that theory.
BioCrossroads attracts another $2.4M from Fairbanks Foundation
The money is designed to further the life sciences group’s work on such initiatives as the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute and the Indiana Health Information Exchange.
Hillenbrand sees rare progress in controlling workers’ weight
Hillenbrand is making headway at a time when most corporations reap little improvement for their investment in wellness programs.
Hospital cost-cutting forces Blood Center to lay off workers, change leaders
Facing the loss of key hospital contracts, the Indiana Blood Center cut 27 jobs on Friday, announced the retirement of its CEO and said it will join a consortium of Midwest blood centers.
Charters’ grades fall, spurring concerns
The percentage of Marion County charter schools receiving a D or an F from state regulators has spiked from 30 percent two years ago to 54 percent this year.
Data show 1 in 5 uninsured Hoosiers gained health coverage this year
Even without Medicaid expansion, Obamacare appears to have substantially reduced the more than 900,000 Hoosiers that go without health insurance during a year.
Obamacare exchange 2.0: Anthem far from the cheapest plan
There are more choices and better deals in the 2015 Obamacare exchange, but if you want the same coverage as last year, it’s going to cost you more.