Health Care

Consumers and businesses in Wisconsin will receive about $16.8 million in rebates from health insurance companies that spent more on administrative expenses and profits than allowed by the federal health care reform Affordable Care Act, according to an analysis by the Menlo, Calif.-based Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

When researchers used federal funding to genetically mutate the lethal H5N1 bird flu virus to make it capable of respiratory transmission between ferrets, the U.S. government was caught flat-footed on how to proceed with this potentially dangerous research.

BizTimes Media LLC has produced a digital edition of the Humana Wellness Summit, which provides insights from experts about starting and growing corporate employee wellness programs.

A wellness research study being conducted by Marquette University, Medical College of Wisconsin, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is seeking employers interested in promoting wellness programs to their employees.

When researchers used federal funding to genetically mutate the lethal H5N1 bird flu virus to make it capable of respiratory transmission between ferrets, the U.S. government was caught flat-footed on how to proceed with this potentially dangerous research. This week, a Senate panel is investigating biological security in the wake of the H5N1 research, with good reason.

WellPoint Inc., the Indianapolis-based company that operates Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Wisconsin, today reported first quarter net income of $856.5 million, or $2.53 per share, down from $926.6 million, or $2.44 per share, in the same period a year ago.

West Bend-based Serigraph Inc., which has held its health cost increases to less than 3 percent per year for the last nine years, is inviting other companies to a benchmarking event to learn how to tame health care cost inflation.

Community Health Charities of Wisconsin has elected new board of officers.

“Situation” is a powerful lens for identifying business model innovation opportunities and protecting whatever market space you now command. “Situational segmentation” recognizes that any one customer's needs – for a restaurant for example – depend on the circumstances giving rise to the need – entertaining, date-night, shopping with a friend. You can disrupt a leader or protect your position by finding situations where existing offerings fail to address situational needs.

Lee Biblo, M.D., a cardiologist at Froedtert Hospital, professor of medicine and associate dean for clinical affairs at the Medical College of Wisconsin, has been appointed chief medical officer of Froedtert Hospital.