Anthem reaffirmed its profit guidance for 2020 as the insurer expects continued financial growth despite the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a June 9 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

The following payer executives changed their positions in June.

The Federal Communications Commission proposed a $225 million fine against a Texas-based telemarketer that allegedly made 1 billion spoof calls to sell health insurance. 

The number of uninsured Americans would decrease by 3.9 million if the 15 states that haven't expanded Medicaid under the ACA did so, according to research from the Urban Institute.

CMS issued a document that outlines state requirements for covering the cost of COVID-19 testing for uninsured Americans, and lists flexibilities that states can use to meet the requirements. 

The COVID-19 pandemic could cost health plans between $30 billion and $547 billion, according to a commissioned report from America's Health Insurance Plans.

Centene Corp. and the National Minority Quality Forum will co-research how COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting racial minorities and rural communities.

Molina Healthcare will continue waiving all out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing and treatment through the end of the year, the health insurer said June 8.

Worthe Holt Jr., MD, a family physician and former executive at Humana, is the new CEO of Wellvana Health, a physician network-building firm.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and its pharmacy benefits manager upped their rates for independent drug stores, according to the Alabama Daily News.

Anthem will provide $2.5 billion in financial assistance to providers and health plan members to ease pressures brought by COVID-19, the insurer said June 4. 

Humana will donate $11.5 million to efforts focused on rebuilding, relief, equity and inclusion in Louisville, Ky., the health insurer said June 3.

UnitedHealth Group is investing another $100 million in creating affordable housing for adults and families facing housing insecurity, bringing its total investments in the effort to $500 million, the healthcare company said June 4.

Health insurers affiliated with the Blue Cross Blue Shield brand held nearly half (47 percent) of all ACA marketplace enrollment in 2018; however, the plans are seeing increased competition from managed Medicaid plans, according to a report published June 1 from the Urban Institute, a left-leaning think tank.

Humana-owned Partners in Primary Care is opening 20 primary care centers in the next year as it begins phase one of its three-year expansion plan, the medical group said June 2.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is offering providers a claim advancement program that will provide three-month loans to providers who are experiencing significant cash strains related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Houston Methodist officially inked a multiyear contract with UnitedHealthcare that took effect June 1, according to the Houston Chronicle. 

Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group and its team members will donate $10 million to honor George Floyd, a black man who died Memorial Day in the custody of Minneapolis police.

Five healthcare companies were awarded contracts to manage Kentucky's Medicaid health plan, Gov. Andy Beshear said May 29.

Uncertainty induced by COVID-19 is complicating the job of health plan actuaries, who are currently making financial decisions about costs, premiums and benefits for 2021. Steven Lieberman, a nonresident fellow at the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy, expects actuaries to raise plan bids for 2021 — but offers proposals to limit the amount of uncertainty when it comes to bidding.