Core and Group Health

Private contractors that are supposed to guard against Medicare fraud paid claims submitted in the names of dead providers or for unnecessary medical treatments, which were among problems estimated to cost more than $1 billion in 2009, according to an inspector general report released Friday.

Colorado lawmakers moved forward Thursday with an $18 million federal grant application to set up an insurance marketplace required under the new health care law.

Health insurer Aetna Inc. on Wednesday raised its forecast for 2011 and 2012 earnings, citing strong results in October and November.

The outlook for the U.S. health insurance and managed care sectors remains stable, Fitch Ratings announced.

The Obama administration is rolling out a health benefits framework for millions of Americans who will get private insurance through the health care overhaul and states get to decide the specifics.

Most employers don't plan on dropping health insurance for employees in 2014, according to a new survey. But, if the "other guy" drops coverage, companies say they're likely to follow suit.