Susan Morse
The new program, and the expected final MACRA rule, are proof that the new administration is serious about scaling back requirements for providers.
The final rule will also allow for higher outpatient payment when Medicare beneficiaries receive certain procedures in a lower cost outpatient department.
Accounting for lost subsidies, premium increases for 2018 silver-tiered plans range from 7.1 to 38 percent, Kaiser Family Foundation finds.
After failed merger with Humana, Aetna would need to convince feds that the merger is more than two industry behemoths coming together.
Insurer did not address rumors of CVS takeover, but said decision on its pharmacy benefits manager would be announced by mid-2018.
Top earner Palm Beach Accountable Care Organization saved Medicare $62 million, earning $30 million for the ACO.
Amazon's potential foray into pharmacy business could squeeze providers' bottom lines even more.
Announcement falls short of national emergency status which would have triggered release of federal funds.
Medicaid expansion in the Affordable Care Act turned Medicaid into a lifelong program for people it was never meant to support, Verma says.
Aetna will focus on core health insurance business while The Hartford Group will grow to become second largest life and disability insurer.