Health insurer Cigna buying Express Scripts for $52 billion
Health insurer Cigna is buying the nation’s biggest pharmacy benefit manager, the latest in a string of proposed tie-ups as health care’s bill payers attempt to get a grip on rising costs.
Health Care & Life Sciences
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Mainstreet nixes ambitious Arizona plan, terminates at least 70 workers
The Carmel-based developer and operator of senior care facilities blamed high start-up costs and a challenging reimbursement environment for decision to pull out of Arizona.
‘Rigged’ system blocks lower-cost drugs, head of FDA says
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb aimed particular criticism at giant pharmacy benefit managers that contract with health plans to administer coverage of drugs, saying the industry’s tactics have stymied cheaper copies of expensive biotechnology drugs.
Invesque picks up 14 medical office buildings in $142M deal
The deal includes a portfolio of 545,000 square feet of medical office space in New York, Florida and Canada, occupied by more than 400 physicians’ practices.
Fertility doctor’s secret creates special kinship decades later
Dr. Donald Cline, a retired Indianapolis fertility specialist, secretly inseminated dozens of unwitting patients with his own sperm decades ago. Now, many of his offspring are trying to make the most of the long-hidden family ties.
IU Health operating earnings climb on strong patient volumes
The state’s largest health care system saw gains in admissions, inpatient days and surgeries, but visits to the ER and radiology exams dropped slightly.
Report: Opioid makers gave $10M to advocacy groups amid epidemic
Companies selling some of the most lucrative prescription painkillers funneled millions of dollars to advocacy groups that in turn promoted the medications' use, according to a report released Monday
Amid Atlanta expansion, Anthem won’t say if HQ is staying here
On Feb. 21, Anthem will break ground in Atlanta for a 21-story office tower called the Anthem Technology Center. When completed in two years, it will house about 3,000 Anthem workers.
IU School of Medicine receives $14M to create program for cancer patients, families
The goal of the program is to provide care for a patient’s overall physical, mental and spiritual well-being, including pain management, at-home support, nutrition assistance and help with navigating financial issues.
Secret discounts keep drug bills from soaring, middlemen say
Express Scripts Holding Co., one of the biggest pharmacy-benefits managers, says the drug-price deals it cuts behind closed doors are saving consumers a lot of money.
Indiana Senate joins House in passing cannabis oil measure
The Indiana Legislature is poised to allow anyone to purchase and use a cannabis-derived extract believed to have therapeutic benefits, following a key vote by the state Senate on Monday.
Flush with cash, Anthem to dole out $1,000 contributions to 58,000 employees, retirees
The Indianapolis-based insurer, which already has reaped more than $1 billion from recent tax reform measures, plans to help employees sock it away.
Feds approve work rules for HIP 2.0, more addiction funding
As many as 130,000 of the 400,000 people now covered by the Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 will be required to work, take part in school or training, or do community service to continue receiving insurance benefits in 2019.
Greenlight Guru growing quickly making software for medical device makers
Greenlight Guru grew from 19 to 31 employees in the last year and expects to add nine more during the first quarter of this year.
Trump’s endorsement puts ‘Right to Try’ drug bill on fast track
The initiative, championed by Vice President Mike Pence when he was governor of Indiana, has been embraced by members of both parties. The latest bill was written by U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana.
Anthem expects profit boost from tax cuts as health-industry shifts loom
Anthem Inc. reported a fourth quarter decline in operating profit Wednesday morning, but the Indianapolis-based company said it expects President Donald Trump’s corporate tax cuts to increase its 2018 earnings.
New VA clinics in works for Indianapolis, Terre Haute
The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking to lease sites for the clinics in Terre Haute and the west side of Indianapolis for the clinics.
Wanted: Headquarters for prime Monument Circle spot
One of the most prominent office buildings downtown has become available for lease and is expected to generate plenty of interest from prospective tenants coveting a prized Monument Circle address.
Senate confirms Azar as Trump’s new health secretary
President Donald Trump's second health secretary won Senate approval Wednesday, clearing the way for former Eli Lilly and Co. executive Alex Azar to take over a sprawling department shaken by his predecessor's early exit.
Two Hoosier companies pull off IPOs
OrthoPediatrics Corp. raised $52 million on Oct. 12, and Carmel-based Merchants Bancorp raised $115 million on Oct. 27.