Morning Read: UnitedHealth may say goodbye to Obamacare exchanges; more on Pfizer’s $150B Allergan merger
Also, some questionable dealings from nonprofit Blue Shield, and a new Apple Watch app from CVS Health.
Morning Read: The population health gold rush, report shows 50 hospitals with highest mark ups
Insurers such as UnitedHealth Group and Aetna have invested big time in population health tools, a new report sheds light on some of the hospitals with the highest markups.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Morning Read: Could Google searches help the FDA learn about drug side effects? ProNAi ‘s $138M IPO
Google met with FDA to discuss a paper on using search data to identify drug side effects and biotech company ProNAi has raised $138M in an IPO.
AARP teams up with Pfizer and UnitedHealthcare to support digital health tech studies
The AARP has launched an initiative as part of a move to roadtest mobile health apps and devices to determine if they fit the needs of its demographic, according to a statement from the organization. Project Catalyst includes collaborations with Pfizer and UnitedHealth. It’s also a response to the fact that the 100 million people […]
UnitedHealthcare upgrades Health4Me app to include wearables integration, mobile payments
UnitedHealth today unveiled a series of interesting upgrades to its Health4Me app, including mobile payments and integration into wearables. It’s yet another expansion of the app, which until the middle of last year was for members only. In July, UnitedHealthcare opened it to anyone who wanted to check healthcare pricing. This moved Health4Me into the […]
In Case You Missed It: Top 10 stories from January on MedCity News
Take a look at the most read stories on MedCity News in January. You may have missed news on startups, medical innovations and new healthcare mobile apps.
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A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
As healthcare becomes more consumer-driven, how are payers reshaping themselves?
One of the issues that emerged from conversations with industry insiders about UnitedHealth’s deal for Audax Health is that it indicates how payers are trying to change themselves so that they can be more competitive in a post-Obamacare world. One payer source observed that as health plans shift from vertically integrated companies, they are trying […]
Educated guesstimates about the Audax Health price tag start at $100M and rise to $400M+
UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) move to acquire Audax Health Solutions, through its Optum subsidiary, has generated a lot of interest as investors seek to develop a better understanding of how much (or how little) payers value consumer technology. Some view the Audax Health deal as a barometer of that trend. Others believe that it speaks […]
Audax Health confirms UnitedHealth and Audax merger documents
An Audax Health spokeswoman confirmed that UnitedHealth and Audax were granted approval by the FTC for early termination, an important step in significant merger and acquisition deals. The statement came in response to an emailed request for comment on news that UnitedHealth (NYSE: UHG) is acquiring the digital health company. Katherine Kennedy Allen, Audax Director […]
UnitedHealthcare dropping hundreds of doctors from Medicare Advantage Plans
Dorathy Senay’s doctor had some bad news after her last checkup, but it wasn’t about her serious blood disorder called amyloidosis. Her Medicare Advantage managed care plan from UnitedHealthcare/AARP is terminating the doctor’s contract Feb. 1. She is also losing her oncologist at the prestigious Yale Medical Group — the entire 1,200 physician practice was […]
Maximize Revenue and Patient Care with Strategic Weight Loss Management
We will highlight Build My Health's revenue practice management tools, which could help physician practices add up to $250,000 to their practices.
Reality TV + digital health = New online diabetes prevention program from UnitedHealth
Today UnitedHealth launched a new online service for its members: a diabetes prevention program, Not Me. The program is unique for two reasons: It puts a negative spin on avoiding diabetes – almost like a person is trying to avoid punishment. It incorporates an online TV show that follows six people trying to lose 7 […]
UnitedHealthcare raises the bar with its online healthcare finance tool
UnitedHealthcare has put all the numbers in one place. The health insurance company has made it easier for many customers to manage all the relevant healthcare financial data online. The new service is myClaimsManager. I am not a UnitedHealth customer, so I can’t check it out personally, but the interface seems to collect all the […]
UnitedHealth’s profit jumps 23 percent in third quarter
The raised profit forecast for the nation's largest insurer was attributed to big enrollment boosts in the company's Medicare and Medicaid plans, even as medical costs remained stable despite an improved economy. The Associated Press/Washington Post: I...
Even insurance companies are trying to make healthcare shopping transparent
Imagine if shopping for healthcare felt a little bit like online shopping on Amazon. You would be able to find the doctors who offer the therapy you are looking for, compare them and even see alternatives to the therapy you are searching. That kind of process is empowering. And that is the intent behind UnitedHealth […]
Healthcare mobile app allows insurance plan participants to access RNs 24/7
UnitedHealthcare is expanding its push into digital health with the launch of a third mobile app. Only a few weeks ago, parent company UnitedHealth Group’s Optum division announced that it was launching the first-of-its-kind healthcare-focused cloud with applications specifically for healthcare providers. This time around, the focus is on the 26 million plan participants who […]