The following insurers made headlines this week. They are listed below, beginning with the most recent.
1. Aetna Q3 revenue up, profit increases 8%
Profit in the third quarter of fiscal year 2016 for Aetna increased 8 percent from the same period last year to a total of $603.9 million.
2. Neighborhood Health Plan freezes Medicaid enrollment to renegotiate rates
Neighborhood Health Plan, a subsidiary of Boston-based Partners HealthCare, closed enrollment to new Medicaid members after it reported $241 million in losses since 2014.
3. 5 things to know about Anthem's confirmed Atlanta tech hub
Payer Anthem will establish a health IT hub in Atlanta over the next six years and create more than 1,800 IT-related jobs.
4. Horizon calls its 6% premium increase 'proof' tiers work
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey declared its Omnia ACA plans — which inspired a string of lawsuits in 2015 — boast some of the lowest premium rate increases nationally next year.
6. Texas startup HMO targets small businesses, entrepreneurs
Austin, Texas-based health maintenance organization Vista360health is tailoring its plans to individuals, entrepreneurs and small businesses for 2017 coverage.
7. Prime Healthcare, BCBS of Alabama reach network agreement at hospital
Prime Healthcare Services and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama reached a network agreement regarding Gadsden, Ala.-based Riverview Regional Medical Center.
8. Aetna CEO: Young adults rather pay for 'beer on Fridays and Saturdays' than health insurance
People who are healthier and younger are more likely to forego buying ACA health plans as they weigh rising premiums against other lifestyle expenses.
9. Mississippi insurance commissioner addresses NMHS, UnitedHealthcare strife
The Mississippi Insurance Department requested reports from North Mississippi Health Services and payer UnitedHealthcare showing efforts to resolve a payment dispute.
10. Cigna drops pre-authorizations for anti-opioid addiction medications
Bloomfield, Conn.-based insurer Cigna will no longer require pre-authorization for anti-addiction prescription drugs like buprenorphine, most commonly known by the brand name Suboxone, which can successfully curb opioid cravings. The new policy comes under terms of a national settlement negotiated by the New York State Office of the Attorney General.
11. Memorial Community Hospital & Health System back in network with BCBS plan
Blair, Neb.-based Memorial Community Hospital & Health System primary care providers and a regional Blue Cross Blue Shield plan will network for coverage effective Nov. 1.
12. Phoenix Health drops Medicare Advantage plans
Payer Phoenix Health Plan, contracted with Arizona's Medicaid agency, will cease its Medicare replacement plans in Arizona's Yavapai County.
13. Long Beach Memorial Hospital, CareMore Health team up
Long Beach (Calif.) Memorial Medical Center and Cerritos, Calif.-based CareMore Health Plan are teaming up to allow CareMore members access to the medical center's inpatient and outpatient services at in-network rates.
14. BCBS of Montana relocates headquarters
Helena-based Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana will move its headquarters to the east side of Helena.
More articles about payer issues:
Federal exchange premium increases surpass Covered California hikes
Republicans call for updated tally of government subsidy expenditure
Cigna launches nationwide mobile clinic tour