Articles by Caroline Humer and Deena Beasley

On the Side, Express Scripts Eyes Distributing High-Priced Specialty Drugs

Express Scripts Holding Co. built a multi-billion enterprise pressuring drug companies to lower their prices for U.S. patients. Now it is quietly building a side business: getting paid to help drug companies dispense a new generation of high-priced drugs. Express …

Co-Pay Tactic by Benefit Managers Credited with Cutting Prescription Drug Prices

A recently adopted tactic by U.S. health plans to limit the financial assistance drugmakers provide directly to consumers for prescription medicines is taking a toll on drug prices, according to a new analysis released on Tuesday. Real U.S. drug prices, …

JPMorgan, Amazon, Berkshire Venture to Target Health Issues Using Data, Technology

JPMorgan Chase & Co., Amazon.com Inc., and Berkshire Hathaway will focus on the biggest health issues threatening the U.S. economy in their new joint venture, including aligning healthcare payments with employee health and addressing chronic diseases, CEO Jamie Dimon said …

Cigna to Buy Pharmacy Benefits Manager Express Scripts for $52 Billion

U.S. health insurer Cigna Corp. struck a $52-billion deal to buy pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) Express Scripts Holding Co on Thursday, looking for new ways to hold onto their profits as the industry faces greater scrutiny for rising healthcare costs. …

Obamacare Enrollment Down Only 4% Despite GOP Sabotage Campaign

Slightly fewer Americans have enrolled for insurance through the federal Obamacare marketplace compared to a year ago, the government said on Thursday, but the number was higher than expected in light of steps taken by President Donald Trump and Congress …

CVS-Aetna Merger Will Influence Employers’ Benefits Decisions: Aon

CVS Corp.’s proposed purchase of Aetna Inc. will affect decision-making by a majority of large and mid-size U.S. corporations on employee health benefits, a survey by benefits consultant Aon Plc found. CVS, the second-largest U.S. pharmacy benefit manager, on Dec. …

Aetna Keeps Quiet About Reported CVS Merger Talks; Net Income Rises 39%

U.S. health insurer Aetna Inc failed to provide any hints on reported merger talks with CVS Health Corp when discussing quarterly results on Tuesday and laid out obstacles to 2018 earnings growth, sending its shares lower. The company reported a …

More Counties Could Be Without an Obamacare Insurer in 2018

With Republican efforts to dismantle Obamacare in disarray, hundreds of U.S. counties are at risk of losing access to private health coverage in 2018 as insurers consider pulling out of those markets in the coming months. Republican senators failed this …

Aetna Settles on New York for New Headquarters in 2018

Aetna Inc., the third-largest U.S. health insurer, will move its corporate headquarters to New York City next year, making it the latest company to leave Connecticut as the state raises taxes and deals with a budget deficit. New York will …

UnitedHealth Prices 2018 Insurance Plans to Include Obamacare Tax

UnitedHealth Group Inc. reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results on Tuesday and said it was coping with uncertainty in U.S. healthcare laws by pricing its 2018 insurance plans to include a costly Obamacare tax. President Donald Trump and other Republicans have vowed …