Author: Rylee Wilson

The first drugs negotiated by Medicare are likely to be blood thinners, diabetes treatments and cancer drugs, physicians predicted in a Sept. 30 article for Health Affairs.

Centene and Florida Blue are among the largest donors to Florida's disaster fund support recovery from Hurricane Ian, according to a news release from the state's first lady, Casey DeSantis. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will provide 200 memberships to virtual culturally-sensitive care provider Health in Her Hue, the insurer said Sept. 30. 

AHIP president and CEO Matt Eyles lauded CMS' announcement that average Medicare Advantage premiums will decrease in 2023, calling the price drop a "further demonstration" of the value of Medicare Advantage plans. 

Here are nine contract updates Becker's has reported since Sept. 7. 

Medicare Advantage premiums will decrease for 2023, CMS said Sept. 29, continuing a trend in slight cost reductions for next year across Medicare services. 

Medicaid beneficiaries say communicating with the agency is difficult, and the reapplication process is confusing and cumbersome. 

Health consumer engagement company Icario is launching a Medicaid redetermination service, designed at streamlining the re-enrollment process with many Medicaid beneficiaries set to lose coverage when the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. 

Health insurers have responded to Hurricane Ian by authorizing prescription refills, waiving prior authorizations, and adding emergency resources and support. 

Centene will pay $14.2 million to Massachusetts, the latest state the Medicaid managed care organization has paid to settle allegations it overbilled state Medicaid programs for pharmacy services, Kaiser Health News reported Sept. 29.