The following health insurers made headlines this week. They are listed below, beginning with the most recent.
1. Cigna ditches coverage of Mylan's EpiPen for generic version
Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna dropped coverage for Mylan's EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. auto-injectors in favor of its generic alternative according to the payer's prescription drug list changes, which were effective Jan. 7.
2. BCBS Association issues positive assessment of Prosigna Breast Cancer assay
Chicago-based Blue Cross Blue Shield Association issued a positive assessment of Seattle-based NanoString's Prosigna Breast Cancer assay.
3. Low-cost Texas health plan expands Connecticut network
An Austin, Texas-based health plan charging members a small fee for access to primary and urgent care physicians extended its direct care network in Connecticut.
4. Maine fines Anthem $225k for not promptly addressing consumers' complaints
South Portland-based Anthem Health Plans of Maine faces a $225,000 fine from the state's Bureau of Insurance for repeatedly failing to respond to policyholders' complaints within 14 days as required by state law.
5. BCBS of Massachusetts' alternative payment model helped narrow health disparities
A payment model aimed at improving quality of care for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts policyholders showed the greatest gain in extending care to members from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, according to a study published in Health Affairs.
6. Aetna selects Glen Chambers to head federal affairs
Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna named Glen Chambers vice president and head of federal affairs.
7. Anthem raises full-year adjusted net income outlook for 2016
Indianapolis-based Anthem upped its full-year adjusted net income outlook for 2016 from $10.80 per share to $11 per share.
8. Major North Dakota payers won't cover medical marijuana
North Dakota voters approved medical marijuana legalization by nearly 64 percent in the November election. However, state health insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Medica and Sanford Health Plan are refusing to cover cannabis medical treatments.
9. Regence BCBS teams up with intergenerational housing community
Portland, Ore.-based Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon partnered with Bridge Meadows — an intergenerational housing community in Portland — to continue Bridge Meadows' growth in Oregon communities.
10. BCBS of South Carolina discontinues out-of-state coverage for Blue Essential policyholders
Most BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Blue Essentials policyholders will no longer be able to access out-of-state healthcare services at in-network rates effective Jan. 1.
11. UnitedHealthcare to hire 50 senior claims appeals representatives in Connecticut
Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealthcare is hiring 50 full-time senior claims appeals representatives for its Shelton, Conn., office.