On the heels of a wave-making partnership with Optum, Laura Kaiser, president and CEO of St. Louis-based SSM Health, is looking to leverage the newfound support to transform healthcare.

A recent survey conducted by Dynata for EmblemHealth found that only 1 in 4 American consumers knew what "value-based care" was.

As employers brace for an approximately 5 percent increase in health benefit costs, many are exploring ways to cut costs amid challenges like remote work and a difficult labor market. 

President Joe Biden and Colorado state officials signed off on a decision that requires payers representing a quarter of the state's market to cover gender-affirming care. 

Caroline Carney, MD, is the CMO of payer services company Magellan Health. A board certified internist and psychiatrist, she and her team are overseeing multiple initiatives designed to target the mental healthcare landscape at depths a simple smartphone app can't reach.

Blue Health Intelligence is revamping its Whyzen Analytics platform with a new user interface and guided analytic pathways, the company announced Oct. 12. 

AmeriHealth Caritas is bringing six new health plans to the North Carolina marketplace through AmeriHealth Caritas Next. 

A number of federal policies have gone into effect since the beginning of 2021, while other policies will be implemented over the next several years. Payers and providers alike need to understand what these various government mandates include so they can work closely with their compliance teams to ensure they’re ready to meet the requirements.

OptumCare is suing Miami-based Cano Health in New Mexico, alleging that two former Optum employees stole medical data to poach patients and physicians.

Anthem Blue Cross is employing a new digital infrastructure for its relationship with Renton, Wa.-based Providence St. Joseph Health System. 

Humana is bringing new Dual Eligible Special Needs Medicare Advantage and PPO plans to Tennessee, the company announced Oct. 12.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists called on the Justice Department Oct. 7 to have its Antitrust Division investigate alleged anti-competitive behavior from UnitedHealth Group. 

UnitedHealth Group will release its third quarter earnings report Oct. 14, which analysts expect to bring upsides for the company after a quarter of moves throughout the company's subsidiaries. 

David Steward, World Wide Technology founder and Centene board member, is resigning from the insurer's board of directors, effective Oct. 6. 

New Orleans-based health system Ochsner Health is launching the new Ochsner Health Plan, the system said Oct. 11.

Valley Forge, Pa.-based investment management firm Vanguard issued an apology Oct. 8 to employees and retirees over cutting promised health benefits.

Each dollar that the minimum wage increases reflects an additional percentage point that low-wage workers will not have health insurance, according to researchers. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is contributing $3.2 million to a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Alliance study on food insecurity and people with hypertension. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, the state's largest insurer, will not be covering Biogen's Alzheimer's drug, Aduhelm. 

Four congressional committee chairs penned a letter to HHS, the Labor Department and the Treasury Department to urge leaders to protect FDA-approved contraceptives under the ACA, which they say are being sidestepped by insurers and pharmacy benefit managers.