Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Centene Profits Continue To Grow; Blue Shield Of California Is Top Pick On State Exchange
Centene Corp., a Medicaid-focused health insurer, reported its profit rose 5.7% in the final quarter of the year as a key measure of the company鈥檚 medical costs fell and the company boosted its number of managed care members, but it also lowered its guidance for the year.The company said that its Medicaid business grew 30% to include 3.5 million members. (Steele, 2/9)
For the first time in three years, Blue Shield of California leads enrollment in the state鈥檚 insurance exchange while Oscar, a closely watched newcomer, experienced a slow start. The Covered California exchange said it won鈥檛 release enrollment figures by company until later this month, and insurers declined to share specifics until then. But interviews with industry officials indicate some insurers, such as Blue Shield and Molina Healthcare Inc., picked up more business while others lost ground during the Affordable Care Act鈥檚 third open enrollment. (Terhune, 2/10)
If you have a high-deductible health plan -- and an increasing number of Americans do -- it may be time to open a Health Savings Account. It lets you save on your income taxes because contributions to an HSA are deductible, just like contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts. (Kristof, 2/9)
