In 2018, the 10 largest health and accident insurers collectively wrote 51.8 percent of premiums in the total U.S. market, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners cited by Insurance Business America.

Humana and private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe entered into a joint venture agreement to expand Humana's primary care centers, the organizations said Feb. 3.

Here are five updates on UnitedHealth Group's recent operations, publications and provider disputes reported by Becker's Hospital Review in January.

CMS published its proposed annual Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters Rule for 2021 that updates regulations and financial standards for health insurers.

BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina debuted a value-based payment model for behavioral health providers Jan. 1.

Over the next four decades, health insurance premiums are set to grow by roughly 90 percent under current law, even after accounting for inflation and economic growth, according to an analysis from the Penn Wharton Budget Model.

Hospital and insurance groups largely came out in opposition of new optional funding changes to Medicaid that would partially cap federal assistance.

Layoffs at Health Care Service Corp., a new UnitedHealthcare-Walgreens partnership and an interview with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota's CEO were among the payer stories that piqued the interest of readers in January.

The following payer executives changed their positions in the past month.

An optional program is now available for states seeking greater flexibility over their Medicaid programs, CMS said Jan. 30. But with more flexibility would come an annual cap in federal funding.

Anthem saw its revenues and profits grow in the fourth quarter of 2019, but the insurer missed analysts' earnings expectations.

IBM Watson' s Anita- Nair Hartman discusses a study that reveals payers and providers anticipate consumers as top collaborators in 3 to 5 years. 

Anthem hired former Aetna executive Kathy Martella as vice president and general manager for its large group business in California. 

Health Care Service Corp., the Chicago-based parent of five Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, will shed about 400 mid-management positions, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.  

Saint Francis Healthcare System in Cape Girardeau, Mo., will no longer be in UnitedHealthcare's provider network beginning March 5 after negotiations between the two organizations derailed, according to CBS affiliate KFVS 12 News.

Montana hospitals once owned the second largest insurer in the state behind Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana. While the company succeeded in challenging BCBS, hospital leaders ultimately left the insurance game — and folded their venture into the insurer they were trying to ward off, according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

Medicare beneficiaries who are covered through private plans as opposed to fee-for-service alternatives spend about 40 percent less on healthcare, according to a report published by UnitedHealth Group.

Louisiana officials are scrapping multibillion-dollar contracts the state has with insurers to manage its Medicaid program, The Franklin Sun reports.

Advocate Aurora Health has plans to collaborate on a Medicare Advantage policy with a health insurance company owned by three other health systems, the health system said Jan. 21.

WellCare Health Plans and Centene secured all regulatory requirements needed to merge, the organizations said Jan. 23.