Author: Andrew Cass

Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna changed or paused policies this year after receiving criticism from medical groups and other organizations. 

From the Labor Department suing a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary over emergency claims denials, to members suing Cigna following a ProPublica report on unreviewed batches of denied claims, here are seven lawsuits and settlements involving payers Becker's has reported since July…

Humana ended a cataract surgery prior authorization policy for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Georgia that had been criticized by ophthalmology groups. 

Riverdale, Ga.-based Southern Regional Medical Center is suing Cigna, alleging the payer did not fully reimburse SRMC for medically necessary services as an out-of-network provider, The Clayton Crescent reported Aug. 3. 

Clover Health has regained compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement, avoiding a potential deslisting, the company said in an Aug. 3 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

The American Medical Association said it appreciates UnitedHealthcare's efforts to reduce the "overwhelming volume of prior authorization requirements" after the payer released details about its previously announced plan to reduce prior authorizations by nearly 20 percent. 

CVS Health confirmed Aug. 1 that it is eliminating 5,000 "non-customer-facing positions" across the company, but it has not specified where the cuts will occur, including at Aetna, the payer it acquired in 2018. 

Sabin Bass has been appointed to serve as Capital Health Plan's next CEO, replacing John Hogan, who is retiring from the position after 44 years. 

From the labor department suing over emergency claims denials, to releasing details of its planned 20 percent reduction in prior authorization requirements, here are 10 updates about UnitedHealth Group Becker's has reported since July 12.

Providers and public health experts are concerned that Medicaid redeterminations could hamstring efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, Politico reported Aug. 1.