Aetna
- Aetna is implementing a double-digit premium increase for California small businesses:
http://dailycaller.com/2014/12/19/small-businesses-get-double-digit-rate-hikes-in-california/ - CT spending bill may hurt insurance companies like Aetna and Cigna:
One of the many controversial riders put in the massive bill would erode a safeguard in the Affordable Care Act that involves risk “corridors,” which are designed to stabilize insurance premiums in the first few years of the law’s implementation.
http://ctmirror.org/connecticut-has-winners-losers-in-nations-1-1-trillion-spending-plan/
Cigna
- Merrill Lynch’s Top Health Care Stock Picks for 2015:
Compared to its peers, is expected to face the least headwinds and is in a good position to grow, according to Merrill Lynch. The firm rated the company as its top pick for 2015, as it is trading at a 2.6-times discount to its peers. Although the company has underperformed the group year-to-date from poor Health Segment results, Merrill Lynch believes the company is positioned to outperform going forward. Shares of Cigna were up less than 1% at $104.90. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $109.18 and a 52-week trading range of $73.47 to $105.60.
- CIGNA RECOGNIZED AS TOP PERFORMING PPO PLAN IN 2014 BY THE MARYLAND HEALTH CARE COMMISSION
http://newsroom.cigna.com/NewsReleases/Cigna-Recognized-as-Top-Performing-PPO-Plan-in-2014-by-the-Maryland-Health-Care-Commission.htm
Highmark
- Highmark customers feel manipulated by Penn:
For months it has run TV commercials and newspaper ads warning that Highmark insurance customers could lose access to in-network treatment at UPMC on Jan. 1 if they don’t switch insurance plans. Now the company, according to an email Friday from its chief medical officer to its physicians, will launch an outreach campaign this week to tell the Highmark customers who stayed put that they — and their insurance dollars — are welcome at UPMC, so long as those customers are currently under UPMC care.
Humana
- Humana on a 52 week high due to strategic alliances:
Humana had entered into a number of Accountable Care agreements over the last two months in order to enhance its membership as well as to deliver improved healthcare to its members.
http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/158079/humana-hum-scales-a-52week-high-on-strategic-alliances
- St. Luke Health System joining Humana networks:
http://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/2014/12/15/saint-lukes-joins-forces-with-humana-a-579007.html
United
- United honored for their community focus:
The annual initiative recognizes companies that improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business. The Minnetonka, Minn.-based company ranked first in the health care industry for the second year in a row, and has been recognized every year since Points of Light began the initiative in 2012.
- Hawaii nation’s healthiest state, Mississippi its unhealthiest
http://www.thestate.com/2014/12/10/3863866/hawaii-is-nations-healthiest-state.html