Update: Conemaugh and Highmark have agreed to a new contract

September 23rd, 2008

After a three month stand-off, Conemaugh Health System (which serves west central PA) and medical insurance provider Highmark have agreed on a new contract.

Which jobs would the Blues cut in a merger?

August 11th, 2008

On Sunday, the Philadelphia Inquirer wondered what jobs would be cut should the merger between IBC and Highmark be allowed to happen.

Delco Times: Health insurance merger worthy of scrutiny

August 4th, 2008

In an editorial published today, the Delaware County Daily Times does not seem too thrilled about the possibility of a merger between Highmark Inc. and Independence Blue Cross.

U.S. Senate Judiciary subcommittee held hearing on proposed merger

July 31st, 2008

The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights held a hearing this afternoon to discuss the proposed merger between Highmark and IBC, titled “Consolidation in The Pennsylvania Health Insurance Industry: The Right Prescription?”

Philadelphia Inquirer: Hearing on Blues merger gets arcane

July 28th, 2008

In Sunday’s Philadelphia Inquirer, reporter Jane M. Von Bergen gave an animated recap of the hearings on the proposed Independence Blue Cross - Highmark merger.

Experiment will pay doctors to spend more time with patients

July 22nd, 2008

Experiments underway by state and federal government agencies, and many insurers around the country, are trying find out if paying doctors more will cut health costs, reports the New York Times.

Fibromyalgia patients fight for insurance coverage

July 14th, 2008

An article appearing in Sunday’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette outlines the reluctance of many health insurers to cover fibromyalgia medications.

Highmark-IBC merger: the talk of the healthcare community

July 9th, 2008

A run-down of articles from around the state that discuss the Highmark-IBC merger hearings.

Time is running out on Highmark - Conemaugh agreement

June 27th, 2008

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on the contract negotiations between Highmark Inc. and a Johnstown-area hospital system.

UPDATES: AP reports on the Blues merger and autism mandate

June 27th, 2008

Senate committee approves bill that would provide oversight for health insurance companie merger, and mandate coverage for autism services.