WellPoint, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and Health Care Services Corporation have reportedly bought a 78 percent stake in the start-up for an undisclosed amount.
Health Care + Med Tech
A dozen of the state's hospitals have won the Minnesota Hospital Association's patient safety awards for implementing measures meant to prevent accidents during surgical procedures and hospital stays.
Medtronic and NuVasive are reportedly accusing each other of infringing on their respective patents related to products used in surgeries.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation's Spirit of the Heart gala in October.
The company will use the new funds to commercialize its products, which use balloon catheters to clear blocked sinuses.
The exchange will allow consumers to compare and buy health insurance.
Mayo's new store at the Mall of America gives mall-goers a chance to learn more about health and wellness-and it allows Mayo to gather input from visitors that will influence its plans for a permanent facility at the mall.
OptumHealth and its parent company, UnitedHealth Group, are set to acquire health care industry service provider Connextions.
The St. Paul company received approval to start a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a product designed to treat obstructive sleep apnea.
Following a harsh review of the FDA system under which most medical devices are approved for market, Boston Scientific said that it "believe[s] in the strength of the 510(k) process," and Medtronic said it supports regulatory changes that are "in the best interest of patients, including ensuring that innovative therapies reach the market."
The Minnetonka-based health insurer points out that rural areas face more challenges in receiving high-quality health care, but it says that increased use of technology and other solutions could help better serve less-populated areas.
Business worries that politics will get in the way.
Johns Hopkins Hospital nabbed the top spot on U.S. News and World Report's "honor roll" for best hospitals, which includes just 17 hospitals from across the country. Several other Minnesota hospitals were recognized in individual categories.
Larry C. Renfro will replace G. Mike Mikan, who is leaving the company to lead a private equity fund.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus seeks information about the medical device giant's decision to cancel contracts with at least two group-purchasing organizations, saying that "reports that this move was fueled by an attempt to discourage transparency and increase costs are troubling."
Experienced Resources places seasoned health care execs in short-term assignments.
A new medical study says that a less rigorous approval process has allowed potentially harmful products to enter the market-but it sparked criticism that its findings contain "factual errors, faulty data analysis, and recommendations that would harm patient access to medical technology with no corresponding safety benefit."
California insurance regulators have blocked a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary from paying dividends to its parent companies, alleging that the company committed almost a million acts that violate the state's insurance regulations.