The following insurers made headlines this week. They are listed below, beginning with the most recent.
1. Cigna Medicare Advantage branch president to retire
Herb Fritch, president and founder of Cigna-HealthSpring — the Medicare Advantage arm of payer Cigna — will retire effective Nov. 1.
2. Blue Shield, NorthBay Healthcare spar over contract issues
NorthBay Healthcare and Blue Shield of California are poised to terminate their in-network agreement Dec. 1.
3. Humana drops Greenville Health System from Medicare network
Louisville, Ky.-based payer Humana severed ties with Greenville (S.C.) Health System for its Medicare Advantage health maintenance organization plan.
4. Aetna eyes layoffs, revises work from home policy
Health insurer Aetna could cut its workforce, offer an early retirement option and change its work from home policy.
5. Anthem BCBS launches new HMO plan in Connecticut
For Medicare's 2017 open enrollment, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is launching a $0 premium Medicare Advantage health maintenance organization plan in six Connecticut counties. It will also add a post-discharge meal benefit to its existing dual-eligible special needs HMO plan.
6. Gateway Health drops 2 Medicare plans
Pittsburgh-based Gateway Health Plan will end two Medicare plans for chronically ill seniors next year, affecting about 5,000 members.
7. UnitedHealthcare gives DOJ 'highly confidential' data for Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna suits
Health insurer UnitedHealthcare is requesting confidential information granted to the U.S. Department of Justice as evidence in Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna lawsuits be kept from rival hands.
8. DOJ lawyers claim Aetna, Humana attorneys are trying to 'derail' antitrust case
The U.S. Department of Justice dismissed accusations from Aetna and Humana that the DOJ belated releasing trial-related documents, arguing the payers' allegations are an attempt to thwart the trial before it begins.
9. WellCare acquires Blue Shield of California subsidiary for $157M
San Francisco-based Blue Shield of California affiliate Care1st Health Plan will divest its Arizona subsidiaries to Tampa, Fla.-based WellCare Health Plans for $157.5 million.
10. What BCBS' departure means for Tennessee
Health insurer BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee's exit from the state's individual market in three of its most populous regions will leave thousands searching for health plans this open enrollment.
11. Tufts Health Plan, Steward Health terminate their Medicare agreement
Watertown, Mass.-based Tufts Health Plan and Steward Health Care System in Boston will eliminate their Medicare Advantage agreement by the end of 2016.
12. Covered California mails premium increase alerts to 1.3M
California's state health insurance exchange started contacting 1.3 million consumers via mail last week with notifications about the cost of their 2017 premiums.
13. BCBS of Massachusetts names CFO
Boston-based health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts chose Andreana Santangelo as executive vice president and CFO, effective immediately.
14. BCBS of Illinois offers 100 call center employees 'voluntary separation plan'
Payer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois will give roughly 100 full-time employees at its Quincy, Ill.-based call center the option for a separation plan that includes benefits.
15. Anthem refuses to cover first FDA approved muscular dystrophy drug Sarepta
Indianapolis-based payer Anthem said it will not cover Sarepta Therapeutics' recently approved Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug.
16. DOJ files to dismiss $338M risk-corridors suits from BCBS, Moda Health
The Department of Justice filed motions to dismiss two lawsuits filed by insurers seeking payments under the Affordable Care Act's risk corridors program.
17. Connecticut insurer opens retail store for members
ConnectiCare opened a retail store in Manchester, Conn., to serve and assist its policyholders.
More articles about payer issues:
Cigna Medicare Advantage branch president to retire
CMS: Highest, lowest 2017 star ratings for Medicare plans
Blue Shield, NorthBay Healthcare spar over contract issues