The following payers made headlines this week, beginning with the most recent.
1. Anthem profit climbs about 10% as government, small group businesses grow in Q2
Indianapolis-based Anthem reported net income of $855.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2017, a 9.6 percent increase from $780.6 million in the same period last year.
2. Mission Health signs multiyear agreement with Cigna
Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Health System and Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna inked a multiyear contract effective Sept. 1.
3. Florida Blue, AmeriHealth Caritas JV awards $1.7M in quality bonuses to physicians
Doral, Fla.-based Prestige Health Choice, a Medicaid managed care plan and joint venture between Florida Blue and AmeriHealth Caritas, both with locations in Jacksonville, Fla., paid $1.7 million to Florida physicians through its value-based compensation programs.
4. Horizon BCBS ordered to hand over report used to create Omnia tiers
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Monday Newark-based Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey must disclose documents detailing how it selected hospitals for its discount tier health plans.
5. Mission Health board inks op-ed on BCBS feud
Mission Health System representatives penned an op-ed stating a "fair contract" with the state's largest insurer — Durham-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina — "is not a want, it is an absolute need."
6. Molina Healthcare to eliminate about 1,400 jobs
Long Beach, Calif.-based Molina Healthcare is poised to cut roughly 1,400 positions over the next few months.
7. Cleveland Clinic affiliate to maintain contract with CareSource
Cleveland Clinic-affiliated Ashtabula (Ohio) County Medical Center extended its agreement with Medicaid managed care plan Dayton, Ohio-based CareSource, despite a stalemate between Cleveland Clinic and the payer.
8. CareFirst CEO: Anne Arundel Medical dispute involves $13M increase in fees
The CEO of Baltimore-based CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield said an impasse with Annapolis, Md.-based Anne Arundel Medical Center revolves around a $1 million rate reduction on $200 million in annual reimbursement from the payer.
9. UnitedHealth CEO forecasts up to 50% of seniors may choose Medicare Advantage
Steven Nelson, CEO of Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group's UnitedHealthcare insurance arm, said an opportunity exists "to further advance the penetration" of Medicare Advantage.
10. Anthem BCBS in Virginia selects president
Jeff Ricketts succeeded Burke King as the president of Richmond-based Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia.
11. Humana to hire 500 seasonal employees during Medicare Advantage enrollment
Louisville, Ky.-based Humana plans to hire roughly 500 seasonal workers to staff its 2018 Medicare Advantage enrollment.
12. St. Elizabeth Healthcare, WellCare ink value-based contract
Edgewood, Ky.-based St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Lexington, Ky.-based WellCare, a Medicaid and Medicare managed care insurer, entered into a value-based care contract to improve health outcomes of Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries.