Mismanaged care
Article Abstract:
United HealthCare has abandoned a planned merger with Humana after reporting a pre-tax loss, which was followed by a stock price fall. Oxford Health Plans has also reported a loss. There is concern about the quality of care provided by these companies, and the government could impose legislation. Problems with computer systems and underwriting have caused some of the industry's problems, but there have also been problems linked to insurance for older Americans. The government aims to increase the proportion of older people with private health insurance, but marketing costs are high and treatment costs also tend to be higher.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
For-profit medicine: the travails of America's largest for-profit hospital chain do not prove that profits are bad for health care
Article Abstract:
Allegations that Columbia/HCA Healthcare overbilled the government gives rise to questions about the quality of care provided by for-profit hospitals. Cost-containment policies are supposed to make hospitals more efficient and some believe that quality is affected by the policies.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Yet more the same medicine: Aetna and U.S. Healthcare
Article Abstract:
The proposed $8.9 billion merger between Aetna and U.S. Healthcare could prove to be a strategic move by the insurance company given changes in the way medical care is provided. Aetna may have difficulty absorbing such a large company and rewriting contracts with its providers.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Reading shadows: after correctly predicting the Great Leader's death, shamaness moves into the big time
- Abstracts: Prepaid cards may be the latest field in cell-phone market-share battle. In Indonesia's ice cream war, embattled leader Magnolia-Nestle learns to fight back on impulse
- Abstracts: Missile wars: the arms trade. A clash of hemispheres: foreign trade. And now, the hemisphere: the road to free trade throughout the hemisphere is strewn with obstacles - and no wild enthusiasm to get round them
- Abstracts: Standing the conventional shopping centre on its head. Are we eager for Egan? Conservation reaches age of maturity
- Abstracts: Poland: the industrial sector proves attractive. Hungary: foreign investment grows. Locals build large groups