The Maryland Insurance Administration has approved the Cigna‘s acquisition of Bravo Health, a Baltimore, Md.-based operator of Medicare Advantage plans.

Aetna has launched Aetna Whole Health in western Va., one of its first new health benefit plan using the accountable care organization (ACO) model.

The congressional super committee creating a budget to reduce the federal budget deficit by at least $1.2 trillion over 10 years is targeting Medicare supplemental health plans, or Medigap plans.

The open enrollment season for Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug benefits begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7 this year, a timespan several weeks earlier than in prior years.

A Hartford, Conn.-based health insurer announced the completion of two previously announced acquisitions of a Medicare supplement business and an independent account-based health plan administrator.

The fourth largest nonprofit Medicare Advantage health plan in the U.S. is partnering with the American Cancer Society to provide its more than 130,000 members in California with cancer prevention and early detection messages.

A Richmond, Va.-based insurance holding company announced its agreement to sell for $290 million its Medicare supplement business and related blocks of in-force business.

Wellpoint, an Indianapolis, Ind.-based national health benefits provider, acquired a senior-focused health care delivery program as it seeks new opportunities in response to the effects of federal health reform.

Highmark has launched a new program to encourage its Medicare Advantage members to designate a family member, friend or other loved one as an advocate who can help them navigate the complexities of the health care system.

At the same time our federal government has claimed that Medicare’s financial condition has improved because of Obamacare, we are also being told by the trustees that the Medicare Part A Trust fund will go broke five years earlier than last year’s projection.