American Medical Association Archives

Health insurance deal may have an impact on mental health care

September 30, 2015September 29, 2015 Marc

American Psychiatric Association raises concerns about Anthem deal The American Psychiatric Association has warned government regulators that proposed health insurance mergers could have a major, negative impact on the availability of mental health care services. Anthem Inc. is looking to acquire Cigna Corp. through a $47 billion deal. The deal would make Anthem the largest health insurance provider in the United States, but the company also has plans to acquire Humana Inc., which would also make it the largest provider of Medicare plans in the country. Organizations warn regulators of…

Mergers among health insurance companies could drive rates skyward

September 15, 2015September 13, 2015 H. Cutner

The American Medical Association has said that the reduction in competition will raise rates. The American Medical Association (AMA) has recently released the results of a study that claims that most health plan markets in the United States are currently led by a small number of insurance companies that may become even fewer with the current trend of mergers and acquisitions. The organization representing doctors and hospitals is criticizing the impact of this market shrinking. The reason is that they feel that if the current intentions of insurance companies to…

Health insurance market in Texas may not be competitive

October 14, 2014October 11, 2014 Marc

Study highlights lack of competition within the Texas insurance market The American Medical Association has released a new study that suggests the insurance market in Texas is becoming less competitive. According to the study, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is the dominant insurance provider in all but one of the state’s metropolitan areas. UnitedHealth Group is also a major player in the health insurance market. Together, these two companies account for 63% of the state’s commercial health insurance market, up from 57% in 2010. Blue Cross dominates many of…

Health insurance competition low in South Carolina

November 12, 2013November 9, 2013 S.Vagus

South Carolina health insurance market lacks competition A new report from the American Medical Association suggests that South Carolina may have one of the least competitive health insurance marketplaces in the U.S. The state falls behind Alabama, Hawaii, Michigan, Delaware, and Alaska in terms of a lack of competition in its insurance market. Despite the existence of the state’s health insurance exchange, competition among insurers remains low, limiting the options that state residents have regarding the coverage they have access to. Blue Cross Blue Shield boasts of majority of the…

Health insurance industry shows improved claims processing capabilities

June 21, 2012June 21, 2012 Marc

Report targets the health insurance industry The American Medical Association (AMA) has released its fifth annual National Health Insurer Report Card. The report aims to rank the country’s health insurance companies based on their ability to serve customers and provides ratings based on issues such as transparency and business practices. According to this year’s report, the health insurance industry has made radical improvements to its operations. The report details these improvements and how they may be affecting consumers and highlights an issue that has garnered a great deal of interest…