Here are the 11 biggest payer stories this week, beginning with the most recent.
1. UnityPoint Health reaches contract impasse with Medicaid insurer covering 54k
West Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health notified about 54,000 patients it may end its contract with Amerigroup of Iowa, one of two insurers managing Medicaid coverage in the state.
2. Anthem hit with $5M fine over allegations it didn't promptly resolve complaints
The California Department of Managed Health Care fined Anthem subsidiary Blue Cross of California $5 million, accusing the insurer of "systemic" grievance resolution violations.
3. Cigna faces $2M fine for allegedly selling unapproved policies
The New York State Department of Financial Services fined Cigna $2 million, alleging the payer sold unauthorized plans in the state's small-group market.
4. UnitedHealthcare to triple Iowa workforce
UnitedHealthcare is slated to hire 400 employees in Iowa.
5. Mission Health, BCBS head to negotiating table
Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Health System and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina resumed talks more than a month after their contract expired.
6. Humana's healthcare costs decrease 15% under value-based models
While the national average of payments to primary care physicians under value-based agreements is 6 percent, PCPs in value-based agreements with Humana received 16.2 percent of payments.
7. Connecticut senators mull intervention into Anthem-Hartford HealthCare dispute
In light of a contract impasse between Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare and Anthem, Connecticut's lead Democrat may reintroduce a bill aimed at governing payer-provider negotiations.
8. Aetna CEO on healthcare sign-ups: 'I have someone else do it for me, because I can't take it'
During a keynote discussion at a Financial Executives International conference in New York City Monday, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini described healthcare as a "rat's maze."
9. BCBS of Montana names president
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana appointed Monica Berner, MD, as president.
10. BCBS of Alabama appoints president, COO; CEO to step down in 2018
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama named Tim Vines president and COO, and future CEO.
11. Premier Health to sell insurance arm
Dayton, Ohio-based Premier Health will sell its health plan to Evolent Health, a Washington, D.C.-based value-based care platform.