In Brief: Minnesota Blues Names New CEO; Cardinal, Aetna Team On Oncology

Minnesota Blues Names New CEO

Michael J. Guyette has been appointed chief executive officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Guyette is currently president of national accounts for Connecticut-based Aetna and had also served in a variety of leadership roles with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. He assumes his new job on Jan. 7, replacing acting CEO Scott Lynch, who will return to the role of senior vice president of chief legal officer.

“He has a strong track record in driving organizational growth, fostering operational excellence and innovation. Michael has demonstrated great leadership and strategic focus in his previous roles, and given his strong health industry experience he is

deally suited to take the helm,” said Minnesota Blues board chairman Vance Opperman.

The Minnesota Blues had been without a permanent CEO since July, when Kenneth Burdick resigned suddenly due to what was termed as a lack of adequate disclosure of business activities and the need for a different management style.

Cardinal Health, Aetna Team Up For Oncology Care In Michigan

Ohio-based Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions has teamed with Aetna and the Physician Resource Management specialty physician group to provide focused oncology care in Michigan.

The initiative will focus on evidence-based methods for treating cancer with the aim of making it both more efficacious and affordable. Cardinal will provide technology and training for the physicians to use new treatment pathways and track outcomes.

“We're always working to make cancer care more effective for the patient,” said Ira Klein, M.D., Aetna's lead oncology strategist and chief of staff to the chief medical officer. “Through this joint effort we help doctors make treatment decisions based on medical research and evidence. That leads to better patient outcomes.”

Buck Consultants Says Health Plan Premium Growth Still Relatively Moderate

 A new survey of 123 insurers and health plan administrators by Buck Consultants concludes that premium trend increase for 2012 were below double digits, a trend that the company forecasts will continue into 2013.

The increases among preferred provider organizations, HMOs, point-of-service plans and high-deductible health plans were all within the range of 9.3% to 9.7%, slightly lower than the 9.9% overall increase the plans experienced during 2011.

However, prescription drug costs increased 10.1%, up from the 9.6% in 2011. And Buck officials say despite the historically low cost increases, the environment remains difficult to navigate for employers.

Buck officials blamed the continually rising costs to the greater use of diagnostic tests and mandates from the Affordable Care Act.