Managed Care Minute: April 4, 2015

The Supreme Court ruled this week that providers cannot sue states over low Medicaid reimbursement rates. Idaho officials had said that the lawsuit would interfere with the state’s ability to fund Medicaid programs within set budgetary limits and 27 states filed legal papers in support of Idaho.

The announcement by UnitedHealth that it was buying Catamaran means that three-quarters of the country's prescriptions will now be controlled by just 3 players. Larry Renfro, chief executive officer of UnitedHealth's Optum Division, expects lower costs as a result of the merger.

Finally, as The American Journal of Managed Care celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, the journal is publishing special guest commentary. This month's comes from Karen Ignagni, CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans. Read her commentary here or see all of our 20th anniversary content here.