Insurance

Regence Wins First Value-Based Insurance Contract

Evraz, Inc. NA, formerly known as Oregon Steel Mills, will offer the plan to its employees next January

February 25, 2010 – John Worcester is convinced that a value-based health insurance plan will not only reduce healthcare costs, but create healthier lives for his employees. Read More >>

Hospitals, Physicians To Share Millions From Clear One Sale

The sale of for-profit Clear One to PacificSource nets investors big money

February 25, 2010 – Although the sale of Clear One Health Plans by PacificSource Health Plans awaits approval by state regulators, documents filed with the Insurance Division express very clearly who will benefit from the $46 million acquisition: hospitals and physicians. Read More >>

Coming Down on Anthem Blue Cross in California

Two LA Times stories investigate the financing and regulatory malfeasance of Anthem and parent Wellpoint

February 24, 2010 -- The recent focus on Anthem Blue Cross in California for excessive rate increases mirrors much of our reporting at The Lund Report about premium increases in Oregon. Read More >>

It’s Time for Mental Health Parity for all Oregonians

February 4, 2010 -- There are more than 201,000 Oregonians who pay for insurance by themselves and who don’t have mandated mental health benefits. It's time they do.
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AMA to Maintain Medical Billing Code Monopoly

Critics contend protecting this proprietary billing codes doctors use to submit insurance claims accounts for the AMA's support of health reform

January 6, 2010 -- As Democrats tout the American Medical Association's endorsement of their health care overhaul, critics are pointing to their studious sidestepping of a little-known monopoly that sends millions into the trade group's coffers each year, saying it's no surprise the Democrats were able to gain the AMA's support. Read More >>

Dean Calls Health Bill Bigger Bailout than AIG

Progressive leader Howard Dean made about the boldest call yesterday in response to the news that both the public option and Medicare buy-in had died

December 16, 2009 -- President Obama said he likes the Senate health care compromise and wants it passed by Christmas, but he faces a revolt from some liberals who say the health care bill has been gutted to appease insurance companies. Read More >>

Aetna to Increase Profits by Dropping Members

Through premium increases, Aetna realizes it will lose 600,000 members, but that's okay

December 16, 2009 -- Back when it was the largest private health plan in the country, Aetna downsized its membership by millions but boosted profits during an overhaul of its business several years ago. Read More >>

How Private Insurers Stand to Prosper Even More

We still end up with a system that's based on private insurers that have no incentive whatsoever to control costs

December 14, 2009 -- The public option is dead, killed by a handful of senators from small states who are mostly bought off by Big Insurance and Big Pharma or intimidated by these industries' deep pockets and power to run political ads against them. Read More >>

Investments Buoy Oregon Health Insurer Profits

Will gains transfer to lower premiums? Not yet anyway

December 10, 2009 -- Oregon insurers continued reaping the rewards of a positive stock market through much of this year, based on the latest available financial statements filed with the state. Read More >>

An Insurance Bureaucrat Speaks Out

Dr. Don Thieman’s been inside the health insurance industry and he’s not remaining silent

December 3, 2009 -- A former medical director at Regence Bluecross Blueshield of Oregon says people have nothing to fear. By and large those in government have our interests at heart much more than people in the insurance industry. Read More >>

Our Mission

The Lund Report keeps its radar focused on Oregon’s healthcare industry. Our goal is to empower consumers. We believe an informed public can create a more accountable and transparent system.

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