Aetna expands Medicare Advantage provider network; Obama administration announces individual mandate exemptions;

News From Around the Web:

> Aetna is expanding Medicare Advantage provider network to increase its geographic reach and doctor base in 22 states, the Hartford Courant reported. Article

> The Obama administration has announced certain exemptions that consumers can make to avoid complying with the individual mandate. The exemption categories include religion, hardship, incarceration, inability to afford coverage, low income, illegal alien status, membership in a health sharing ministry or Indian tribe and short-term coverage gap, reported LifeHealthPro. Article

> Insurers in California will have to provide coverage for behavioral health treatment for children with autism after Gov. Jerry Brown approved a two and a half year extension of the California Autism Insurance Mandate, according to the Los Angeles Times. Article

Health Provider News:

> The healthcare industry continues experience the most turnovers of chief executives. Of the 949 CEO changes in 2013, 195 departures occurred in healthcare, according to a report from outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Article

> Three Republican senators have conceded that attempting to tie healthcare reform repeal with government funding was a misstep. Article

Health IT News:

> Health IT can help expand patient-centered medical homes, according to a report from the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative. Article

> Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) plans to introduce a bill to Congress regarding health-related mobile apps. The legislation will give the federal government the tools it needs to protect consumers from high-risk technologies without subjecting lower-risk technologies to unnecessary oversight. Article

And Finally... One kitty thinks this pit bull is a hero. Article