Author: Rylee Wilson

In most regions in the U.S., Medicare dollars for inpatient services are concentrated among just a few hospital systems, an analysis from the Commonwealth Foundation found. 

Cigna of Ohio and Cincinnati-based Mercy Health reached an agreement to keep over 12,000 patients in-network, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Jan. 5. 

Highmark Health Plan has named a new president, promoting COO Tom Doran to the top role. 

More payers won coveted Medicaid managed contracts when California reversed course on its August decision to award just three payers contracts to run its Medicaid program. The state announced a revised decision Dec. 30, granting more payers contracts. 

UPMC Health Plan is adding a preferred pharmacy network to its ACA plans, reducing the number of pharmacies available to members by 60 percent, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Jan. 5. 

Aetna and Munster, Ind.-based Community Healthcare System have agreed to a contract extension, avoiding a split that would have left Aetna commercial and Medicare Advantage members out of network. 

Several Blue Cross Blue Shield companies have formed a medication contracting organization, Synergie Medication Collective, aimed at reducing high specialty drug costs. 

Aetna will manage health insurance for more than 740,000 North Carolina state employees, winning a contract BCBS North Carolina has held for over 40 years. 

Perceived cost is the main barrier to uninsured individuals seeking health coverage on state marketplaces, a survey from Florida Blue found. 

SCAN Group has added two new members — Benjamin Chu, MD, and Amol Navathe, MD, PHD  — to its board of directors.