HMO price war hits East Coast

Article Abstract:

Survey results indicate that HMOs in several East Coast markets are engaged in a price war. Baltimore, MD's HMOs cut their 1995 rates by 5.64%, on average, while HMOs in Philadelphia, PA and Orlando, FL, cut their rates by 4.48% and 3.6%, respectively. Nationwide, HMOs reduced their annual premiums by 0.7%. Employer demands and the competition provided by start-up HMOs are forcing the decreases, according David Ogden, an actuary with Milliman & Robertson, which conducted the survey.

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HMO market drop could land on physicians

Article Abstract:

Falling stock prices for US health maintenance organizations (HMO) could have negative effects on physicians. Shares for United Healthcare Corp., the largest investor-owned HMO is the country, decreased in value by $2.3 bil on Jul 11, 1996. The plummeting shares caused several investors to sell-off other HMO stocks. United Healthcare attributes its losses to decreased earnings at MetraHealth.

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Trial focus: public unease with physician incentives

Article Abstract:

David Gross is suing Prudential Health Care Plan, claiming physician incentives caused the health maintenance organization to withhold medical care. The suit charges his doctors and Prudential with bad faith breach of contract because they failed to inform plan members of their capitation and profit-based bonus arrangements, and with breach of fiduciary duty. The company denies liability.

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