2015 TOP STORIES: Anthem hit by hackers, strikes $54B Cigna deal
The Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice could move to block the merger or require Anthem and Cigna to sell off significant chunks of their businesses.
J.K. Wall
Articles
Cash crunch forces large home health agency into bankruptcy protection
Carmel-based Nightingale Home Healthcare Inc., which serves nearly 900 Hoosier patients, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and won court approval to borrow $350,000 from its parent company to make payroll.
IU Health shuffles execs in advance of Evans’ retirement
The state’s largest hospital system will promote IU Health Arnett President Al Gatmaitin president to chief operating officer, replacing Dennis Murphy, who is set to become CEO in April.
Moms in Indy pay 50 percent more for C-sections than in Manhattan
Despite its low cost of living, Indianapolis is among the highest-priced areas for hospital services for patients with private health insurance—and is far more costly than Boston, Chicago, Manhattan and Los Angeles, according to a new study.
Dow’s merger plans with DuPont might hit antitrust roadblock
The proposed merger of Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. would create the world’s largest agricultural-products company. But that’s bad news for farmers, according to some farm groups and antitrust experts.
New psych hospital in Indy marks break with ‘failing model’
The Pence administration’s decision to spend $120 million on a new psychiatric hospital represents a stark shift from the state’s approach to mental health of the past 30 years.
State to build $120M neuro-diagnostic institute
The institute, scheduled to begin serving as many as 1,500 patients in Indianapolis annually in 2018, will be part of a Pence administration initiative to improve Indiana’s network of state-operated mental health facilities.
Nursing homes work to ‘rebalance’ Medicaid spending without managed care
State government has long wanted to shift spending on long-term care from nursing homes to home- and community-based care. Now Gov. Mike Pence’s administration is working with nursing homes to make that happen.
DuPont CEO in position to decide fate of Dow Agro
The Dow Chemical-DuPont merger throws into doubt what will happen to the 1,500 people who work at Dow AgroSciences’ Indianapolis headquarters, especially since executives plan $1.3 billion in savings from combining ag units.
Deals could bring back fired American Senior CEO
Jim Burkhart, who was fired this fall after the FBI raided his home and American Senior Communities' offices, holds agreements under which he could acquire 63 nursing homes managed by his former employer.
Obamacare is growing employer health benefits, not just killing them
Even though some Indianapolis-area employers are dropping their group health plans, others are adding them. Overall, more workers are being offered health insurance by their employers under Obamacare than before the law took effect.
Suit challenges constitutionality of RFRA fix, local gay rights laws
In their efforts to prevent discrimination against gays and lesbians, state and local governments are violating a host of constitutional rights of religious citizens and organizations, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday by two Christian organizations.
Mind Trust receives $3 million grant from Fairbanks
The Mind Trust education reform group will receive $3 million more from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation to launch new public schools, attract teachers to Indianapolis and advance changes in K-12 schools.
Despite stronger economy, insurers keep up pressure on hospitals, doctors
Anthem touts program saving $9.51 per patient per month—but passes on less than half the savings to hospitals and doctors.
All of a sudden, HIP 2.0 has a cloudy future
Gov. Mike Pence’s expanded version of the Healthy Indiana Plan looked secure after winning approval from the Obama administration in January. But now it faces threats from both liberals and conservatives.
Investors betting no on Anthem mega-deal
Lots of investors are betting health insurance giants Anthem Inc. and Cigna Corp. won’t ever make it to the altar—an outlook driven by concerns antitrust regulators or other obstacles will prevent consummating the $45 billion deal.
Pence objects to new federal review of HIP program
Gov. Mike Pence fired off a letter to the Obama administration on Thursday asking it to cancel its contract with what he described as biased contractors recently hired to evaluate the Healthy Indiana Plan.
Anthem shareholders overwhelmingly approve Cigna acquisition
More than 99 percent of the shares voted were cast in favor of the deal during a 5-minute meeting Thursday morning at the downtown Conrad Indianapolis hotel, according to Anthem officials.
Half of insurers on Indiana Obamacare market are losing money
UnitedHealthcare, MDwise, IU Health Plans and Assurant all disclosed losses during the first nine months of this year on the policies they are selling on the federal marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act.
With health insurance coverage pricey, firms adopt 401(k)-like plans
Health insurance brokers in Indianapolis and across the country are increasingly helping companies, especially small ones, move from traditional employer-sponsored health benefits to what they call an individual strategy.