Indiana life sciences companies rethink innovation
Research and development comes under pressure in an age of austerity.
J.K. Wall
Articles
Survey: Solo practices nearly gone
Only 1 percent of the jobs given to Texas-based Merritt Hawkins over the past year were for solo practitioners, the physician recruiting firm reported this month. That’s down from 22 percent of all searches in 2004.
Suburban hospitals charm patients
A little extra Medicare money will flow to suburban hospitals in the Indianapolis area, based on recent patient satisfaction scores. But hospitals in the core of Indianapolis—and hospitals that do significant amounts of teaching medical students—may take a hit.
Insurance company key to Franciscan-American Health partnership
Hospital system’s health insurance unit has IT infrastructure that will allow physicians to participate in Medicare’s shared savings program.
Westfield health IT firm sold for $473 million
MaxIT’s 1,300 employees, who provide information technology services to hospitals and physician practices, will join Virginia-based Science Applications International Corp.
Ballard moves to shut down The Project School
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard announced Tuesday evening that he intends to revoke the charter that gives The Project School the authority to operate. Ballard cited poor test scores and “recently discovered financial problems.”
Reform may hit hospitals harder
The immediate reaction on Wall Street to last month’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding President Obama’s health care law was to buy hospital stocks and dump health insurance stocks. But at least one analyst expects the long-term outcome to be the exact opposite.
Lilly gets boost in Alzheimer’s race
Eli Lilly and Co. got a boost of confidence last week that its project to launch the first effective Alzheimer’s treatment is on the right track—though it still faces hugely long odds.
WellPoint using deals to prep for new era in insurance
The buying spree is back on at WellPoint Inc., with a twist. A decade ago, the insurer consolidated Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans that catered to employers. Today, it is making deals to grow the non-employer part of its business.
Hoosier economic engine poised to downshift
Hoosier employers added jobs faster than those in all U.S. states except two through the end of May, according to federal estimates.
Local providers join Medicare ACO program
Indiana University Health, as well as a partnership of Franciscan Alliance and American Health Network, have formed accountable care organizations that won the blessing of the federal Medicare Shared Savings program.
Bioanalytical taps accountant for turnaround
With spending running well ahead of revenue, West Lafayette-based Bioanalytical Systems Inc. ousts its CEO in favor of its CFO.
WellPoint shares jump after $4.9B deal for Amerigroup
Investors and analysts like the fact that WellPoint is playing more aggressively in government-sponsored health plans, such as Medicaid and Medicare, which are projected to be the key sectors for growth for the next several years.
Doctors, hospitals follow only parts of Regenstrief’s IT prescription
The great results Regenstrief Institute has produced over the years in studies at Indianapolis’ Wishard Memorial Hospital have not held up when conducted in a wider variety of settings.
Q&A
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act cleared a big cloud of uncertainty for employers, but with just 18 months before the most significant provisions of the law kick in, many questions remain. Three benefits consultants from Indianapolis-based Gregory & Appel Insurance—Bob Miller, Mike Miles and Karl Ahlrichs—sat down to discuss what the future looks like for employer health benefits.
High court ruling opens Medicaid escape hatch for states
While upholding President Obama’s health care law, the U.S. Supreme Court may have created a way out for states that do not want to expand their Medicaid programs. Whether Indiana decides to opt out remains to be seen.
High court ruling could leave 290K Hoosiers uncovered
A decision by Indiana to leave its Medicaid program unchanged could leave as many as 290,000 Hoosier adults, who would have been newly eligible for Medicaid coverage, with no good options.
Electronic health records bring $135M to Indiana
The federal stimulus program to speed “meaningful use” of electronic medical records is starting to generate significant cash for Indiana health care providers: More than $135 million has flowed to more than 2,000 Hoosier hospitals and doctors since January 2011.
Life sciences hold up in recession
A new report shows Indiana’s life sciences companies performed better than their peers around the country—and far better than the rest of Indiana’s private sector—during the early phases of the economic downturn.
Daniels expected to find new cash for Purdue as president
Colleagues of Gov. Mitch Daniels say Hoosiers should expect him to bring a familiar approach to his upcoming role at Purdue University: Do more with less, reward performance, find creative ways to tap new pools of money, and use warm folksy charm.