1. Anthem, Owensboro Health to add 50 physicians to network
Indianapolis-based Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Owensboro (Ky.) Health are in negotiations to expand in-network care in western Kentucky and southern Indiana.
2. BCBS may fine Anthem $3B if Cigna deal closes
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association could make Anthem pay a $3 billion noncompliance fee if Anthem acquires Cigna but fails to bring in the majority of the resulting insurer’s revenue through Blue-branded plans.
3. Anthem starts Cigna deal defense
Anthem officials testified for the company’s $54 billion acquisition of Cigna Nov. 29, arguing the resulting entity would be innovative and not compromise health insurance marketplace competition.
4. Aetna says ACA withdrawal is a ‘sideshow’ in antitrust case
As Aetna and Humana head to trial Dec. 5 to defend Aetna’s $37 billion acquisition of Humana, Aetna says its decision to leave the majority of ACA exchanges it participated in this year should not hold clout over the court’s ruling.
5. Humana, JSA Medical Group link up for Florida Medicare Advantage practice
Louisville, Ky.-based Humana and St. Petersburg, Fla.-based JSA Medical Group partnered for one primary care practice in Humana’s Florida Medicare Advantage network.
6. Aetna-Humana trial commences this week
U.S. District Judge John Bates will begin hearing testimonies from Aetna and Humana Dec. 5 as they defend their $37 billion acquisition agreement against a Justice Department antitrust lawsuit.
7. AlohaCare names Laura Esslinger CEO
Honolulu-based nonprofit payer AlohaCare appointed Laura Esslinger CEO effective Dec. 1.
8. Sutter Health negotiates contract renewals with Blue Shield, other insurers
Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health is in talks with Blue Shield, Cigna and Health Net regarding contract renewals for 2017.
9. Cigna projects $2B in operating profits this year
Ahead of investor and analyst meetings Cigna plans to attend over the next several weeks, the Bloomfield, Conn.-based payer disclosed its full-year operating profits will surpass $2 billion, according to a Nov. 28 regulatory filing.
More articles on payer issues:
BCBS, Texas Health Resources reach impasse in contract negotiations
AMA supports block of Aetna-Humana merger
UnitedHealthcare, Tenet reach in-network access agreement
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