Today's Top 20 Payer Articles
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4 recent lawsuits, settlements involving payers
Here are four lawsuits, settlements and other legal actions involving commercial payers that were filed since Jan. 1: -
UnitedHealthcare launches virtual primary care service with Amwell
UnitedHealthcare debuted a virtual primary care service that will be available to members in 11 states, the insurer said Jan. 14. -
Capital BlueCross waives virtual care fees through March
Capital BlueCross, a Pennsylvania-based insurer that covers close to 1 million members, is temporarily waiving virtual care fees through March 31, the insurer said Jan. 19. -
CMS releases 2022 rates for Medicare Advantage, Part D: 5 things to know
On Jan. 15, CMS issued 2022 Medicare Advantage and Part D rates three months early in a move it says will give plans more time to calculate bids for the next coverage year. -
Excellus BCBS pays $5.1M to settle data breach affecting 9.3 million people
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield agreed to pay the Office for Civil Rights $5.1 million to settle potential HIPAA violations related to a data breach, HHS said Jan. 15. -
CMS releases payment notice for 2022 coverage year: 5 things to know
CMS released a final rule for states, health insurance exchanges and insurers in the individual and small group markets Jan. 14. -
CMS issues final rule on Medicare drug coverage: 5 things to know
CMS released a final rule Jan. 15 that aims to lower cost-sharing for pricey prescription drugs for Medicare Advantage and Part D enrollees. -
3 recent payer-provider contract agreements, conflicts
Here are three recent contract agreements or conflicts between payers, providers and employers: -
13 recent payer exec moves
The following payer executives changed their positions in January so far. -
Cigna wins $5.8M in false claims case
Cigna will be awarded $5.8 million in a wrongful medical billing case involving two firms and their manager, according to court documents. -
What will Medicaid work requirements look like under Biden?
As of Dec. 23, 2020, the Trump administration has granted approval to 12 states looking to implement some form of Medicaid work requirements, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, with four of those approvals being set aside by courts. -
Health coverage most common insurance Americans dropped to save money in 2020, survey finds
Many Americans cut back on their insurance policies in 2020 to save money, with health coverage being the most common policy that consumers decided to scale back or drop altogether, according to a survey from ValuePenguin. -
Cigna to suspend donations to lawmakers who 'supported violence' at Capitol
Cigna said it will end political donations to lawmakers who "encouraged or supported violence" after rioters supporting President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol Jan. 6, according to CNBC. -
Bill to end antitrust exemption for health insurers awaits Trump's signature
Congress passed a bill that would end an antitrust exemption for health insurers, and the legislation is expected to be signed by President Donald Trump, according to The National Law Review. -
UnitedHealthcare suspends some prior authorization rules for hospitals
UnitedHealthcare suspended some prior authorization requirements for in-network hospitals and in-network skilled nursing facilities, according to the insurer's webpage on its prior authorization updates during the pandemic. -
CHI St. Luke's, BCBS of Texas strike new agreement
CHI St. Luke's Health and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas inked a new contract that will keep the Houston-based health system an in-network provider for 65,000 BCBS of Texas patients. -
Northwell unit, Whole Foods sign direct contracting agreement
Northwell Direct, a unit of New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health that focuses on direct contracting with employers, signed an agreement with Whole Foods to provide primary care services to workers in the New York region. -
CommonSpirit, Blue Shield of California expand payment platform to 20 hospitals
Chicago-based CommonSpirit and Blue Shield of California expanded a new billing program to 20 Dignity Health hospitals, the organizations said Jan. 11. -
BCBS Association to suspend donations to lawmakers who disputed Electoral College results
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which represents 36 Blue plans, said it is suspending its political contributions to lawmakers who voted against accepting the results of the Electoral College and certifying Joe Biden as the next U.S. president. -
CMS to let Tennessee use modified Medicaid block grants
CMS approved Tennessee's request to use a modified block grant to finance its Medicaid program, the agency said Jan. 8.