Friday Five: Top 5 healthcare business news items from the MCOL Weekend edition

Every business day, MCOL posts feature stories making news on the business of health care. Here are five we think are particularly important for this week:

Trump health chief: Premiums to drop for popular ACA plan

Premiums for a popular type of “silver” health plan under the Affordable Care Act will edge downward next year in most states, the Trump administration’s health chief announced Thursday.

AP News

Friday, September 28, 2018

Aetna sells Medicare drug business, clearing way for $69 billion CVS merger

Health insurer Aetna Inc. said Thursday that it plans to sell its Medicare prescription drug plan business to WellCare Health Plans Inc., according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The Hill

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Trump administration defends Medicaid work requirements

A top health official in the Trump administration defended Medicaid work requirements Thursday, arguing that its intent isn't to expel people from the program.

The Hill

Thursday, September 27, 2018

31% of Beneficiaries Face Social Isolation, More Health Risks

A new survey of Humana’s commercial population has found that almost one-third of members over 65 years old experience social isolation. The survey reveals that payers could benefit by addressing social isolation among their elderly members because reducing loneliness enhances member satisfaction as well as overall health.

HealthPayer Intelligence

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Major healthcare groups question Medicare ACO proposal

MSSP has been under a spotlight lately with the proposed changes. Reports have shown savings, but not necessarily as much as initially expected. The regulatory push toward more risk reflects a desire for providers to commit to value-based contracting despite the potential for financial loss.

Healthcare Dive

Monday, September 24, 2018

These and more weekly news items on the business of healthcare are featured in the MCOL Weekend edition, along with the MCOL Tidbits, and more, for MCOL Premium level members.