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Health insurance issues vital in upcoming labor negotiations
A number of large labor contracts are set to expire in 2004. According to the U.S. Bureau of National Affairs -- which receives contract expiration notices -- at least 92 contracts representing about 126,000 union workers in Pennsylvania are up for renewal this year. Health benefit costs will be a key bargaining point in many of the negotiations.
Policyholders of Highmark, Blues plans may see rebates
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee gave $67 million back to policyholders in 2003. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island gave back $7 million -- and earmarked another $14 million toward increases in physician reimbursements and for Rhode Island hospitals.
Employers see health care premiums up 17% in 2004
Employer reaction to 2004 health care insurance premium increases falls somewhere between total exasperation and panic, said Tom Tomczyk, who heads up the health care practice for Mercer Human Resource Consulting's Downtown office.
Employers may ask workers to find own medical coverage
Insurance agent John Mulgrave refers to the insurance renewal process as an alligator that employers must wrestle every 12 months.
Next HIPAA deadline nears
The human resources help line at SMC Business Councils has been busier than usual over the past month.
Highmark cutting brokers in efficiency move
DOWNTOWN -- Highmark Inc. continues efforts to slash the number of agencies statewide that serve as brokers for its health insurance products.
Highmark to lose members when CommunityBlue ends
DOWNTOWN -- After laying off more than 200 workers this week because of a 400,000 drop in membership, Highmark is positioned to lose another large chunk of its membership base in July.
For one insurer, imaging is everything
Changes to Highmark Inc.'s radiology management program will mean significant change for local high-tech imaging service providers and physicians alike.
Bill would ban medical underwriting
State legislation was introduced this week aimed at reforming the way in which small business health insurance is priced by insurance companies.
Staying healthy at Kennametal
Come September, Kennametal Inc. will kick off a new program intended to help address the chronic problem of rising medical insurance costs for employees while improving the overall health of its work force.
Consortium designed to make bigger impact on fight against cancer
Consider it a coordinated attack on cancer. Participating in the attack being launched by the Pennsylvania Cancer Control Consortium are more than 100 state organizations located from Allentown to Erie.
Health insurer eyes bigger market share
DOWNTOWN -- UnitedHealthcare, the nation's largest health insurance company, plans dramatic growth in Western Pennsylvania. Within the next three years, the company expects to boost its membership in the region from 80,000 to 200,000.
CDC provides funds for cancer prevention program
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded a $250,000 grant to help implement a plan to reduce cancer in Pennsylvania.
Highmark cutting Medicare plan premiums
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will cut premiums or give additional benefits to many members who buy SecurityBlue and FreedomBlue plans directly from the company.
GSP hires former Miss America as consultant
GSP Consulting Corp., the Pittsburgh-based lobbying firm, has hired a former Miss America as a government affairs consultant.
Highmark makes health literacy grants
Highmark Inc. has awarded $185,000 in grants to support local health literacy programs aimed at helping individuals better understand basic health information to make appropriate health decisions.
SMC takes up fight against rising health insurance costs
The SMC Business Council is launching a public campaign to fight rising health care insurance costs.
Highmark tightens home infusion contracts
DOWNTOWN -- An exclusive contract between the region's largest insurer and Medmark Inc., Highmark's for-profit pharmaceutical distribution company, has home infusion companies in the region concerned about their bottom lines.
Health Savings Accounts likely to take off in 2006
Wait until 2006 for HSAs -- that's insurance lingo for Health Savings Accounts -- to really take hold.
Rising cost of health care impacts company pay raises
Although health care costs are expected to dip slightly in 2005, companies throughout the country are still cautious about doling out pay hikes.
Pittsburgh mayor won't close door on commuter tax
Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy on Tuesday said Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell will "revisit" the idea of a commuter tax if the city runs short of revenue in two to three years.
Pa. students can win $5,000 with essay
Pennsylvania students in grades K-12 can win up to $5,000 by writing an essay describing how higher education can make their dreams come true.
Small businesses gain insurance option
In its effort to gain new market share in Pennsylvania, UnitedHealthcare is preparing to offer health insurance products for the first time to the small group market -- companies with two to 99 employees. While it won't officially be unveiled until the first quarter 2005, the company will begin offering insurance products for this segment here, beginning with the July 2005 renewal period.
Pa. to get $2.8M in drug-pricing settlement
Pennsylvania's Medicaid program will receive $2.8 million as part of a national settlement of a lawsuit alleging the Schering-Plough Corp. fraudulently marketed and priced its allergy drug Claritin.
Highmark to buy eyeglasses maker
Health insurance provider Highmark Inc. said Thursday it will buy Viva International Group, a privately-held eyewear manufacturer.
Pa. nursing homes could see additional fed funding
Nursing homes in Pennsylvania could receive as much as $1 billion in federal funding over the next four years under a plan announced Monday.
Northeast sees highest employee compensation costs
Employer costs for employee compensation in private industry in the Northeast, including Pennsylvania, averaged $26.51 per hour for the year ended September 2004, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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