1. Centene to extend health plans in Arizona’s largest counties
Health insurer Centene filed requests with the Arizona Department of Insurance and CMS to offer health plans on Arizona’s Affordable Care Act exchange in the state’s most populous counties.
2. Southwest General, Anthem BCBS ink bundled payment contract
Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg, Ohio, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio implemented a bundled payment structure for total joint replacement surgeries.
3. BCBS of Vermont seeks $6.2M from state in unpaid premiums
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont engaged the state in a reconciliation process to procure $6.2 million the insurer said it paid in patient claims and is owed in premiums.
4. Humana launches plan in Wisconsin, shuts out Froedtert, Children’s
Health insurer Humana formed a group insurance plan in Wisconsin with four health systems but left out a few large organizations in the narrow network.
5. Michigan insurer to drop 8 plans from ACA exchange
Health insurer Priority Health will drop eight preferred provider organization options from Michigan’s Affordable Care Act exchange Jan.1 because of decreased demand for the plans.
6. CareSource to automatically enroll 40k amid payer exits
Health insurer CareSource will absorb about 40,000 displaced policyholders following Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and other insurers’ exit of Affordable Care Act exchanges in Indiana and Ohio.
7. Cigna to hire 70 in Pennsylvania
Health insurer Cigna will add 70 customer service jobs at its Moosic, Pa., office in anticipation of an increased demand for healthcare services.
8. ConnectiCare backtracks, stays in ACA exchange
ConnectiCare changed course Tuesday, deciding to remain in the state Affordable Care Act exchange next year and drop its rate appeal.
9. BCBS of Rhode Island partners with Virgin Pulse for wellness platform
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island inked a contract with technology solutions company Virgin Pulse to offer a member wellness program to enhance and maintain healthy habits.
10. New Jersey co-op taken over by state, 6 co-ops remain
Nonprofit insurance co-op Health Republic of New Jersey exited the exchange marketplace, forcing 35,000 policyholders to find new plans in 2017.
11. Aetna CEO responds to US senators’ letter
The CEO of Aetna said issues outlined by U.S. senators in a Monday letter about Aetna’s Affordable Care Act exchange pullback were “unfounded accusations” and “marketplace reality” is to blame for its public exchange departure.
More articles about payer issues:
Progressives launch campaign to support public health insurance option
Southwest General, Anthem BCBS ink bundled payment contract
BCBS of Vermont seeks $6.2M from state in unpaid premiums
