Realtor.com is out with a new report that shows Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY was the 91st most searched market in the country for real estate in September, out of 250 areas. Chicago comes in first. Researchers say median list prices hit $140,000 in Buffalo-Niagara Falls, barely edging up from a year ago. The national median list price hit $192,000, up less than one percent. Inventory is down in Buffalo and across the country. The median for age of inventory is 75 days in Buffalo and 95 days nationally.
Univera Healthcare customers will see rate increases in 2013 of 10.4 percent. According to NYS officials, Univera had requested an increase of 11.8 percent, but the state modified the amount. Officials say they are working to keep increases as low as possible, given the continuing rise in the cost of health care.
Meanwhile, a new physician network is seeking to lower patient costs. State officials have okayed the creation of the Optimum Physician Alliance by BlueCross BlueShield of WNY and Kaleida Health. The organization should include about 500 doctors initially. The plan will be available to 1,500 non-union employees at Blue Cross on Jan. 1.
