The following stories about health insurers made headlines this week. They are listed below, beginning with the most recent.
1. Companies overseeing Iowa's privatized Medicaid say program is 'drastically underfunded'
Three managed care insurers charged with running Iowa's Medicaid program said the project has been thwarted by a lack of funding, with one company calling its participation a "catastrophic experience."
2. Texas Health Resources, BCBS agree on rate increase as contract deadline looms
Arlington-based Texas Health Resources and Richardson-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas signaled a thawing of their contract dispute as the two organizations agreed on a rate increase ahead of their contract's Dec. 31 deadline.
3. Mississippi hospital files suit against UnitedHealthcare in ongoing payment spat
Tupelo-based North Mississippi Medical Center filed a lawsuit against Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealthcare one week after the two organizations reached a temporary agreement over an ongoing payment dispute.
4. Aetna now covering diabetic foot ulcer treatment from MiMedx
Marietta, Ga.-based MiMedx Group's EpiFix diabetic foot ulcer treatment will now be covered by Hartford, Conn.-based payer Aetna.
5. S&P predicts ACA marketplace insurers will see results improve in 2016-17
A S&P Global Report analysis forecasts health insurers will start seeing financial losses reverse on their ACA individual marketplace plans in 2016 after "hitting bottom" in 2015.