Author: Andrew Cass

From the continued slow start of Georgia's program to the Kansas governor's "middle of the road" proposal, here are four state Medicaid work requirement updates Becker's has reported on since Dec. 19: 

Several payers, including UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, announced prior authorization cuts in 2023. Here is more on that and other prior authorization updates Becker's reported this year:

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has tried unsuccessfully for years to expand Medicaid in the state and now has a new "middle of the road" plan that includes work requirements, NPR affiliate KCUR reported Dec. 18. 

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Biotech subsidiary of unlawfully delaying the introduction of biosimilar competition for ustekinumab. 

A pair of South Dakota lawmakers are seeking to put a ballot issue in front of voters in 2024 on whether the state should consider work requirements for those enrolled in the expanded Medicaid program, the Argus Leader reported Dec.…

Two Little Rock, Ark.-based ASCs are seeking potentially millions of dollars in unpaid reimbursements from Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield for procedures performed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Arkansas Business reported Dec. 11.  

Ten providers recently posted job listings seeking leaders in payer contracting and relations.

From its Optum arm adding nearly 20,000 physicians in 2023 to outlining its 2024 revenue expectations, here are 12 updates on UnitedHealth Group that Becker's has reported since Nov. 27: 

Centene expects 2024 revenues to be at least $142.5 billion

Although its merger with Humana has fallen through, Cigna is still considering the sale of its Medicare Advantage business, The Wall Street Journal reported Dec. 10.