TheRepublic.com - Health care costs News

Health reform plans, pricing released in Calif.

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:46:20 -0400

SACRAMENTO, California - Californians are finally getting to see what "Obamacare" means for them.

Court sides with Iowa dentists in key billing case

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:32:21 -0400

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Dentists can set their own fees on services that insurers do not reimburse, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday in a decision that will mean higher out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Analysis: NJ hospital rates most expensive in US

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:51:08 -0400

BAYONNE, New Jersey - An analysis has found a northern New Jersey hospital to be the most expensive in the country, charging four times more than the national average.

Cancer patient hopes to leave disease in past

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:28:57 -0400

COLUMBUS, Indiana - Mark and Beth Rediker knew something was terribly wrong late last year when their 22-year-old son Adam, who often ran six miles a day, became inexplicably bloated in just a few weeks.

Retired couples may need $220K for health care

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:43:13 -0400

WASHINGTON - After years of increasing health care costs, the outlook is improving for seniors worried about paying their medical bills during retirement.

Quirk in health law will affect few in Dakotas

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:20:59 -0400

PIERRE, South Dakota - A quirk in the federal health care law that could force tens of thousands of people who identify as Native American to start paying for insurance or pay a fine isn't expected to affect many people in the Dakotas.

Higher prices for MS drug help drug firm Merck

Tue, 14 May 2013 05:49:53 -0400

FRANKFURT, Germany - Higher prices for its multiple sclerosis drug Rebif helped German pharmaceutical and high-tech materials company Merck KGaA post a 54 percent rise in first-quarter profit.

Business Highlights

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:22:57 -0400

Huge drug cost disparities seen in health overhaul

Mon, 13 May 2013 03:14:37 -0400

WASHINGTON - Cancer patients could face high costs for medications under President Barack Obama's health care law, industry analysts and advocates warn.

NYC wins $70M from 44 pharmaceutical companies

Thu, 09 May 2013 20:58:12 -0400

NEW YORK - New York City has won nearly $70 million from 44 pharmaceutical companies in a Medicaid fraud litigation over the pricing of prescription drugs.

Ohio prisons cutting medical costs

Thu, 09 May 2013 20:50:45 -0400

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio prisons cut more than $26 million from inmate medical expenses last year, a state prisons inspection committee reports.

Same procedure, different bills at Pa. hospitals

Thu, 09 May 2013 15:12:12 -0400

PITTSBURGH - Pennsylvania hospitals sometimes charge vastly different rates for the same medical condition, according to Medicare health care billing information released by the government Wednesday.

High hospital bills go public, but will it help?

Wed, 08 May 2013 19:54:35 -0400

WASHINGTON - For the first time, the government is publicly revealing how much hospitals charge, and the differences are astounding: Some bill tens of thousands of dollars more than others for the same treatment, even within the same city.

Colorado Editorial Roundup

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:56:19 -0400

A sampling of recent editorials from Colorado newspapers:

ISU may charge tobacco users more for insurance

Sun, 05 May 2013 13:13:45 -0400

TERRE HAUTE, Indiana - Next year, Indiana State University employees who smoke or use other tobacco products could face a $1,200 per year surcharge if they have university health insurance.

States fear losing aid for 'uninsurables'

Sat, 04 May 2013 10:47:25 -0400

WASHINGTON - Thousands of people with serious medical problems are in danger of losing coverage under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul because of cost overruns, state officials say.

Cancer treatment bill clears Fla. Legislature

Fri, 03 May 2013 21:14:40 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida lawmakers gave final approval Friday evening to legislation that would require health insurers to provide the same level of coverage for cancer treatments given orally as those drugs administered intravenously.

Drug find means hikers may be charged for search

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:01:28 -0400

SANTA ANA, California - Two teen hikers lost for days in a California forest might have to pay for part or all of the $160,000 search after a small amount of drugs was found in their car, authorities said.

Drug find means hikers may be charged for search

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:01:08 -0400

CVS Caremark 1Q profit soars 23 percent

Wed, 01 May 2013 18:31:25 -0400

CVS Caremark's first-quarter net income jumped 23 percent to top Wall Street's expectations, as generic drugs continued to improve profitability even though those prescriptions hurt revenue.

Pfizer 1Q profit up, but drugmaker cuts outlook

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:29:13 -0400

Pfizer Inc.'s first-quarter net income rose 53 percent despite falling sales, mainly because the world's second-largest drugmaker took big charges a year ago. Pfizer's results fell short of Wall Street's expectations, and the company lowered its profit and sales forecasts for the year, blaming sudden worsening of currency exchange rates.

Aetna 1Q profit slips 4 pct, boosts 2013 forecast

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:04:59 -0400

Aetna's first-quarter net income fell 4 percent as acquisition-related costs and rising health care expenses more than offset government business gains for the health insurer.

Acquisition boosts Express Scripts profit 39 pct.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:20:11 -0400

ST. LOUIS - Express Scripts said Monday its first-quarter earnings jumped 39 percent compared to last year, when charges tied to its acquisition of competitor Medco Health Solutions hurt the pharmacy benefit manager's performance.

School districts work to find drug test funds

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:31:36 -0400

FORT WAYNE, Indiana - Two Indiana school districts that test students for drug use are facing challenges as they look for ways to fund the programs.

SD hospital executives support expanding Medicaid

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:34:46 -0400

PIERRE, South Dakota - An expansion of South Dakota's Medicaid program to provide health insurance to thousands of additional low-income people would reduce the number of people unable to pay their bills for medical care, hospital executives said Tuesday.