Insurer drops EpiPen coverage to cut costs
Cigna has announced that it will no longer cover the cost of the life-saving EpiPen following a sharp rise in its cost since 2009.
CNN reports that the insurer will now only cover the cost of the generic version of the medication which was launched in December.
EpiPen manufacturer Mylan was widely criticized when it emerged that cost of the treatment for allergic reactions had increased 400 per cent since 2009 and was forced to develop the generic version which is half the price.
"The generic version, available now in pharmacies, has the same drug formulation and device functionality as the branded medication, but at a substantial cost savings," Cigna spokeswoman Karen Eldred told CNN Money.
Envera working with life insurers on information exchange
A new collaboration between healthcare providers and the life insurance industry has been announced by Envera Health.
The firm aims to expand the scope of the Health Information Exchanges (eHealth Exchange) by enabling healthcare providers and life insurers to easily share authorized data and make buying life insurance easier.
“Health Information Exchange is the backbone to improving the healthcare experience for patients and providers,” said Dan Neuwirth, CEO of Envera Health.
The system has already been tested by global insurance and reinsurance carrier
Swiss Re.
“The process of buying insurance is unduly lengthy and can be cumbersome to consumers,” said JJ Carroll, SVP, New Solutions Group, Swiss Re. “The digitization of medical records is a critical component in streamlining the existing processes.”
James Corden to play an insurance investigator
The Late Late Show’s James Corden is reportedly joining the cast of Ocean’s Eight to play an insurance investigator.
The spin-off will star Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett and as you’d expect it involves a heist, which is investigated by Corden’s character, Deadline.com reports.
