Author: Rylee Wilson

Proposed changes to Medicare Advantage payments could cut benefits for members, according to a report commissioned by the Better Medicare Alliance. 

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee was ranked fourth overall in Forbes' ranking of the top 500 large employers in America, and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield was ranked second among midsize employers. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana will use funds from its acquisition by Elevance Health to establish a $3 billion foundation to address health equity and will disperse payments to some members, The Advocate reported Feb. 15. 

At least two payers and providers have split in recent weeks. Others are trying to agree to contracts ahead of looming deadlines or working to negotiate expired contracts. 

Provider groups praised proposed CMS regulations to overhaul prior authorization in Medicare Advantage, one of many proposed and final changes from the agency. Payer groups are concerned about potential star ratings changes, tougher auditing standards and potential changes to reimbursement…

Elevance Health has closed its acquisition of specialty pharmacy BioPlus. 

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is digging into the data behind health equity, publishing its first ever health equity report to bring together public data and data from BCBS Tennessee members. 

A few Medicaid managed care plans have hired or are planning to hire more staff to process Medicaid redeterminations, a survey of plans by Kaiser Family Foundation found. 

Inland Empire Health Plan has named Lorena Rodriguez Chandler as the Medicaid managed-care plan's first chief health equity officer. 

AHIP, the trade association representing the insurance industry, is opposed to some of CMS' proposed changes to the Medicare Advantage star ratings program.