Samaritan Health Plans, the insurance arm of Corvallis, Ore.-based Samaritan Health Services, will exit the Medicare Advantage market in 2026, the Lincoln Chronicle reported Sept. 3. Bruce Butler, CEO of Samaritan Health Plans, told Becker’s in a statement that the…
Author: Jakob Emerson
CMS is expanding eligibility for catastrophic health coverage on the ACA marketplace in 2026. The agency issued new hardship exemption guidance on Sept. 4 aimed at individuals projected to be ineligible for advance premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions due…
SCAN Health Plan is expanding into Washington state and will enter new counties in California and Texas. Pending CMS approval, the nonprofit insurer will offer plans in Pierce, Spokane, and Thurston counties in Washington; Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, San Joaquin, Kings,…
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming is entering the Medicare Advantage market for 2026 coverage. In its inaugural year, WyoBlue Advantage will be available to Medicare-eligible residents in 22 of Wyoming’s 23 counties. The company will offer both a Medicare-only…
UnitedHealthcare’s prior authorization gold card program has seen a more than 40% increase in the number of qualifying provider groups in 2025, the company shared with Becker’s. Launched in October 2024, the program reduces prior authorization requirements in favor of…
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Seven health-system owned insurers have named new leaders in 2025: 1. Presbyterian Health Plan, part of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, named Heather Thiltgen as its next president. 2. Baylor Scott & White Health Plan named Stephanie Motter as president. 3. Health…
The No Surprises Act is tied to an 18% decline in out-of-pocket spending among adults with direct purchase private health insurance, according to a BMJ study published Aug. 27. The analysis was conducted by researchers from Harvard University and Mass…
Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations generated record savings and continued to improve quality performance in 2024, CMS said Aug. 28. In 2023, the program saw $2.1 billion in net savings. Five notes: 1. Out of 476 ACOs, 75%…
New York City has proposed a new self-funded health plan administered by EmblemHealth and UnitedHealthcare for municipal employees, pre-Medicare retirees and their dependents. If approved by city regulators, the new plan would be effective on Jan. 1, according to an…
Cigna’s Evernorth is investing $3.5 billion in Shields Health Solutions, a specialty pharmacy company launched after Walgreens went private in August. Evernorth’s investment in Shields is in the form of preferred stock and is not expected to have a major…