Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
Because they allowed workers comp and national accounts to dictate provider contracting strategies, a decision that drove up the core group business’ medical loss ratio. Here’s how. The beginning of the tough times for Coventry came last spring. Up till … Continue reading Why did Coventry’s medical loss ratio increase?
Read More...The Allen Wise II era has begun with today’s release of Coventry Health’s fourth quarter 2008 earnings. Wise, who occupied the CEO/Chairman’s office before the recently-departed Dale Wolf, resumed the position ten days ago after Wolf resigned. Here’s my key … Continue reading Coventry’s earnings call – facility costs are the problem
Read More...Passage of the SCHIP expansion came about when several Republican senators joined the Democrats to pass the bill by a substantial margin. Although the bill passed the House easily (290-135), the key was the GOP votes in the Senate. This … Continue reading What the SCHIP vote means for health reform
Read More...Now that the Daschle era at HHS is over before it began, who should ‘take over’? Bob Laszewski recommends President Obama consider Oregon Senator Ron Wyden (D) for the post. I agree. Bob points out that Sen Wyden is respected … Continue reading Ron Wyden for HHS Secretary?
Read More...Politico.com just announced that Tom Daschle withdrew his name from nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. The former Senator’s failure to pay taxes on his multi-year use of a car and driver and huge income from his work … Continue reading Daschle withdraws nomination
Read More...The low share prices of health plans make for cheap deals – that’s the growing sense among the larger health plans, who see the current dip in values as a buying opportunity. Among the big boys likely to be looking … Continue reading Health plans in the hunt for acquisitions
Read More...Friday will be Dale Wolf’s last day at Coventry. After diversifying the company into workers comp, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage and private fee for service, and individual insurance, he leaves behind a much different Coventry than the one he … Continue reading What now for Coventry?
Read More...There’s a little more clarity about who’s handling health reform on Capital Hill and which proposals are currently in the lead. In the Senate, sources indicate the Wyden-Bennett bill is currently off the table, set aside in deference to the … Continue reading The political winds and health reform
Read More...Likely quite a bit. But not for a while. Here’s the quick and dirty. NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has been after UHC sub Ingenix for over a year, accusing them and other insurers of defrauding consumers by manipulating reimbursement … Continue reading So, what does the UHC Ingenix settlement mean?
Read More...There’s been much talk about the pros and cons of Medicare for All as one option in a national health reform plan. Think Progress addressed the major complaints opponents of a governmental option have; Merrill Goozner’s piece last week focused … Continue reading Health reform – Debunking the argument against the government plan option
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