Author: Rylee Wilson

The ACO Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health model is the latest shared-savings model designed by CMS to improve care and reduce costs in traditional Medicare. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will continue reimbursing telehealth at the same rate as in-person services for primary and chronic care for now. 

Connecticut lawmakers are considering a proposal to reduce premiums by reimbursing insurers for the most costly claims, CT News Junkie reported Feb. 16. 

Medical Mutual of Ohio and Kroger Health reached an agreement to provide in-network services to Medical Mutual's Medicare Advantage members. 

West Virginia lawmakers are considering adding a Medicaid "buy-in" program to provide insurance to low-income workers making too much to qualify for the program, the News and Sentinel reported Feb. 16. 

Payers are challenging contract decisions and noncompete agreements in court. 

Medicare Advantage audits are "unequivocally not cuts" in funding, HHS says. 

Centene and Springfield, Mo.-based Cox Health reached an agreement to keep Centene's Medicaid beneficiaries in network, the Springfield News-Leader reported Feb. 17. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is challenging the state's decision to hand its State Health Plan contract to Aetna in court. 

A group of 70 lawmakers is pressing CMS on further Medicare Advantage reforms, and the agency is considering implementing prior authorization reforms and other changes to the program.