Coventry execs could get big payouts; Tufts Health Plan lowers planned rate hike;

> Coventry execs may see some big payouts if they're terminated without cause as a result of Aetna's $5.7 billion buyout of the Maryland-based insurer, reported the Washington Post. Coventry CEO Allen Wise will get $14.5 million, including $4 million in cash and $10.4 million in equity, while Chief Financial Officer Randy Giles would get $5,494,100 if he's terminated within two years of the merger. Article

> Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon has hired Richard Popiel as its new chief medical officer and senior vice president of healthcare services, according to the Portland Business Journal. Popiel previously was the president and chief operating officer of Horizon Healthcare Innovations, a Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey company. Article

> Tufts Health Plan is lowering its planned rate hike for about 12,000 members in Rhode Island. After obtaining state approval to implement an average hike of 5.3 percent for small employers and 4.5 percent for large employers, the insurer determined it didn't such a premium increase. Instead, its new average increases are 2.7 percent for small employers and 4.1 percent for large employers, reported the Providence Journal. Article

And Finally… Math hurts. Article