Today's Top 20 Stories
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Health leaders push for rehearing of UnitedHealthcare behavioral health case
Nine hospital and healthcare groups are calling on a federal appeals court to rehear a case involving United Behavioral Health's denial of 67,000 mental health and substance abuse claims. -
Commercial insurers paid hospitals 224% more than what Medicare did, study finds
Commercial insurers paid hospitals an average of 224 percent more compared to Medicare rates for inpatient and outpatient services in 2020, according to a new study from RAND Corp. -
Dallas suburb using COVID-19 relief to give health insurance to every resident
The city of Ferris, Texas is using its allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funding to offer basic health coverage and a mobile health clinic to all 3,500 of its residents, according to NBCDFW.
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Federal judge blocks HHS gender transition coverage requirement after challenge from Christian group
A federal judge in North Dakota has temporarily blocked HHS and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from requiring the Christian Employers Alliance and its members to provide health plans that cover employees' gender transition procedures. -
Anthem shareholders vote to become Elevance Health
Anthem shareholders voted at their annual meeting May 18 to change the company's name to Elevance Health. -
Washington state submits federal waiver to provide health coverage to all noncitizens
Washington is looking to expand health and dental coverage to all residents, regardless of immigration status, according to The Seattle Times. -
Texas HHS director charged with insurance fraud
A Texas HHS director is facing charges for alleged auto insurance fraud related to a car fire in March, according to a Travis County arrest warrant obtained by NBC affiliate KXAN.
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States ranked by Medicare recipient insulin spending
Medicare Part D enrollees without low-income subsidies paid an average of $520 in out-of-pocket insulin costs in 2019, according to a May 17 report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. -
Payers' 10-step plan to better healthcare access, affordability
Health insurer lobby and trade group America's Health Insurance Plans May 17 outlined 10 steps state and federal lawmakers can take improve healthcare competition and increase access and affordability. -
How to improve payer-provider data collaboration in value-based care systems
Bobby Sherwood is senior director at Burlington, Mass.-based HealthEdge and head of product for GuidingCare. He spoke with Becker's about how payers and providers can build new and better reinforce existing relationships in their steady transition toward value-based care models. -
Novant Health set to buy stake in Medicare Advantage plan
Winston Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health has signed a letter of intent to own a portion of HealthTeam Advantage, a Medicare Advantage plan providing coverage to more than 15,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the state.
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Aetna circumvented obligations to cover out-of-network COVID-19 diagnostic testing, lawsuit alleges
A proposed class action lawsuit was filed against Aetna Healthcare of California May 16 alleging the insurer evaded its obligations to fully cover COVID-19 diagnostic testing. -
Anthem, Northside argue before Georgia Supreme Court
Lawyers for Anthem and Atlanta-based Northside Hospital system appeared before the Georgia Supreme Court May 17 regarding their ongoing contract dispute, according to the Capital Beat News Service. -
Bright HealthCare, NeueHealth name new CEOs
Bloomington, Minn.-based Bright Health Group has named Michael Carson as CEO of Bright HealthCare and Jeff Cook as CEO of the value-based line NeueHealth. The two will both start in June and report to CEO Mike Mikan. -
BCBS Massachusetts creates minority business incubator program
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has launched the Health Equity Business Accelerator, a program that provides financial, strategic and mentorship support to founders of color focused on creating equitable healthcare services and solutions. -
AHIP releases legislative, regulatory policy guide aimed at addressing care access and cost
America's Health Insurance Plans launched Healthier People through Healthier Markets on May 17, a new policy guide with proposed solutions aimed at improving healthcare affordability and access. -
UnitedHealth's 2022 Senior Health Report: 10 things to know
Drug deaths among seniors have doubled over the last decade, but a record number received flu vaccines in 2020, according to the United Health Foundation's 10th annual "America's Health Rankings Senior Report." -
Ohio Medicaid director owned stock in companies she awarded contracts to
Ohio Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran owned at least $1,000 worth of stock in three healthcare companies in 2021, the same year she negotiated and signed billion-dollar contracts with their subsidiaries, the Ohio Capital Journal reported May 17. -
Biden administration considering IVF coverage requirement, fertility definition change
Some health plans may soon be federally required to cover fertility treatments for members, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, according to Bloomberg Law. -
Rhode Island redoing Medicaid contract process after Tufts misses deadline, BCBS submits empty bid
Rhode Island is starting over with its $7 billion Medicaid contract bidding process after a series of snafus excluded some of the state's largest payers, according to WPRI.