Iora Health providers in Houston are now considered in-network for Aetna Medicare members, the health insurer said Feb. 17. 

Butler Hospital, a mental health hospital in Providence, R.I., partnered with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island on a program that aims to reduce hospital readmissions.

Humana named former executives of Ford Motor Co. and Johnson & Johnson to its board of directors, the insurer said Feb. 18. 

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina plans to add 702 jobs in Columbia over the next five years, according to The State. 

Humana is piloting a new care management program that focuses on coordinating care for some Medicare Advantage members who have chronic conditions.

House Democrats' plan to temporarily expand health coverage and subsidies under the ACA would cost about $53 billion and cover fewer than 2 million uninsured Americans, according to a Feb. 15 report from the Congressional Budget Office.

Many of the nation's largest commercial insurers saw their profits fall in the fourth quarter of 2020 as expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic increased.

CVS Health saw its profit drop by 44.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020, thanks in part to negative effects related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Blue Shield of California will use an algorithm with a "focus on equity" to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in California under a contract that outlines how the insurer will oversee the state's distribution process, according to The Los Angeles Times. 

Most U.S. health systems saw a reduction in elective procedures in the spring of 2020, which resulted in significant reductions in Medicare claims, according to a study from healthcare business consulting firm Avalere.  

When health insurers increase cost-sharing for members, it can result in several negative health outcomes and higher mortality, according to a working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

CVS Health named Kelly Munson the president of Aetna Medicaid, the company said Feb. 11.

Although Molina Healthcare saw its revenue grow by nearly $1 billion year over year, its profit fell in the fourth quarter when compared to the same period one year prior, according to an earnings report released Feb. 10. 

The following payer executive changes were announced in February so far.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri and St. Louis-based Mercy entered into a cooperative care agreement that aims to improve outcomes and lower costs for patients. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Blue Care Network will extend cost-sharing waivers for members with COVID-19 through Sept. 30.

Democrats have included proposals to expand Medicaid in the latest $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, according to CNBC.

Some of Humana's medical and dental members will be able to ask questions about their health plans to a virtual assistant under a new partnership with IBM Watson Health. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will extend virtual care benefits for its members through the end of 2021, the insurer said Feb. 10.

COVID-19 patients with high-risk conditions like pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes are three times more likely to require care in an intensive care unit, according to an analysis of claims reviewed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.