A Michigan-based firm says it experienced health cost savings after investing in a private exchange and defined-contribution plan designed by three Blue health insurers to simplify insurers’ health benefit offerings.

Two Blue health insurers are partnering to acquire interest in one of the largest Medicaid companies in the U.S. to better serve beneficiaries in light of looming changes to the program, starting in 2014.

The U.S. Justice Department has expanded an investigation of Blue Cross/Blue Shield licensees’ alleged anti-competitive agreements with hospitals beyond Michigan, where it filed an antitrust lawsuit against the insurer.

The head of the U.S. Justice Department’s Antitrust Division warned health insurers May 24 that deals that expand the market share of a dominant plan will be heavily scrutinized, if not killed.

The least successful way to run a business is to lose money. Just ask the executives at Circuit City. Yet, taking a loss is what Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is admitting it will do with its individual health plans.

Like other health insurance companies nationwide, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is citing increasing medical costs as the primary driver for its need to raise rates on some of its plans.

The 261 companies who actively market Medicare Advantage plans to seniors in the U.S. enrolled 11.5 million Medicare beneficiaries in the 2010 enrollment season.

Highmark has launched a new web tool that allows members to compare the costs different medical facilities charge for 17 elective surgical procedures.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan announced that it is going to cut 1,000 jobs and seek a premium increase for its individual plans.