WellCare switches from Optum Rx to CVS for pharmacy benefit management; More than 8.5M sign up for Healthcare.gov plans;

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> WellCare Health Plans will switch from UnitedHealth's Optum Rx to CVS Health Corporation to for pharmacy benefit management, MassLive.com reports. Article

> Health plans reimbursed customers approximately $478 million in 2014, according to Mark Farrah Associates' annual Healthcare Business Strategy Report. Report

> More than 8.5 million customers have signed up or renewed coverage on Healthcare.gov since open enrollment began Nov. 1, according to the most recent enrollment figures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Announcement

Healthcare News

> The mortality rate for babies whose mothers intentionally gave birth outside of hospitals was more than double the rate of planned in-hospital births, a new study showed. But the researchers also noted the risk of death was low in both settings. Article

Health IT News

> Tele-intensive care tools help nurses conduct tasks more quickly, and improve performance and communication, according to a study published recently in the American Journal of Critical Care. Article

And finally… Built-in bragging rights for life. Article