The following insurers made headlines this week. They are listed below, beginning with the most recent.
1. BCBS of Minnesota launches physical activity initiative
The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota launched an initiative to make neighborhoods more amendable to forms of physical activity. Ten Active Places demonstration projects have been awarded to organizations throughout the state of Minnesota. They will take place between June and October.
2. Jonathan Bush says payer M&A signals downfall of innovation
Following Cigna's rejection of Anthem's latest takeover bid, Jonathan Bush, co-founder and CEO of Watertown, Mass.-based athenahealth, said on CNBC's "Power Lunch" that M&A activity is a signal of an industry downfall.
3. UnitedHealth leaves health insurers' largest trade group
UnitedHealth Group is ending its relationship with America's Health Insurance Plans, according to The Wall Street Journal. United claims its interests were no longer being represented.
4. Salem Health and United Healthcare to renew contract
Salem Health (Ore.) and United Healthcare renewed their contract following United Healthcare policyholders receiving letters indicating Salem Health could lose preferred-provider status, according to the Statesman Journal.
5. Cigna rejects latest takeover bid from Anthem
Cigna rejected Anthem's latest takeover bid, according to The New York Times. Cigna called the $184 per share offer "inadequate and not in the best interests of Cigna's shareholders."
6. Contract between St. Vincent's HealthCare, Florida Blue will expire soon
St. Vincent's HealthCare (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Florida Blue have yet to reach a deal to keep St. Vincent's in the Florida Blue network, even though their contract has almost expired, according to The Florida Times-Union.
7. Healthcare leaders, physicians and others weigh in on health insurer merger madness
Recent merger talks involving five of the nation's largest health insurers have sparked debated within the healthcare industry. Physicians, insurance regulators and health system executives say these possible deals could have a negative impact on consumers.