Layoffs at UnitedHealth Group, controversy surrounding North Carolina's Medicaid contracts and CMS Medicare star ratings were among the payer topics that piqued the interest of readers in October.
Here are the five most popular payer stories published by Becker's Hospital Review in October:
1. UnitedHealthcare issues layoffs in Minnesota
UnitedHealthcare, the health insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group, laid off an undisclosed number of employees in Duluth, Minn.
2. UnitedHealth to lose 2 major contracts for retiree health plans
UnitedHealth Group will lose two contracts with large employers to provide their workers retirement healthcare benefits: Verizon Communications and the Alabama Public Education Employees Health Insurance Plan.
3. Conflict of interest claims muddy billion-dollar North Carolina Medicaid contracts
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services asked a state tribunal reviewing how it awarded contracts for its managed Medicaid program to reject claims that its process was influenced by conflicts of interest.
4. The 2020 Medicare plans with 5 stars
CMS released its report card for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans Oct. 10.
5. CMS sanctions UnitedHealthcare plan: 3 things to know
One of UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage plans will face enrollment restrictions for 2020 due to compliance issues.
More articles on payers:
Humana to lay off 800+ employees
CMS delays start of primary care payment model
CEO of Texas Health Aetna out after 8 months