Local insurers see big Medicaid growth
Independence Blue Cross and Aetna - two major insurers in the Philadelphia market - have experienced the greatest growth nationally in the number of people covered with Medicaid managed-care insurance, HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a Nashville company that researches managed care plans, reported this week.
Independence Blue Cross and Aetna - two major insurers in the Philadelphia market - have experienced the greatest growth nationally in the number of people covered with Medicaid managed-care insurance, HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a Nashville company that researches managed care plans, reported this week.
Independence Blue Cross' Medicaid managed-care enrollment climbed to 749,287 in January from 456,792 in July 2007. Aetna's grew to 137,149 from 27,506 over the same period,
Expansions of Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP) in South Carolina and Indiana fueled Independence Blue Cross' growth through its subsidiary, AmeriHealth Mercy. Philadelphia-based Independence Blue Cross has partnerships or ownerships of Medicaid programs in a number of states, including Pennsylvania.
Aetna grew by acquiring Schaller Anderson, a Medicaid management company.