Health Care Reform

A new federal appeals court decision could affect how easily patients or others can sue employer-sponsored health plans and their administrators over benefits decisions in state court.

Speaking from the company's headquarters outside of Minneapolis, this was Tim Noel's first media interview since taking on the new role.

An Ohio jury has awarded Medical Mutual of Ohio more than $50 million in damages in its lawsuit against FrontPath Health Coalition and HealthScope Benefits, a subsidiary of UnitedHealthcare. FrontPath offers employee benefits solutions, and HealthScope is a third-party administrator. 

A task force has put 166 pages of background information on the topic in a meeting packet.

A team found that typical low-premium silver plans have deductibles over $5,000 per year.

Value-based models, pharma consolidation, and private equity-backed services are drivers.