CMS issued a proposed rule Dec. 6 that it says will streamline the prior authorization process. Here are four major changes the rule would bring that would affect payers, according to a Feb. 21 report from the Kaiser Family Foundation:
The Latest
Debbie Zimmerman, MD, is the corporate chief medical officer at Essence Healthcare, a top-rated Medicare Advantage plan serving 63,000 members across eight states.
There's a worldwide shortage of diabetes management drug Ozempic, and health plans may be playing a key role, BuzzFeed News reported Jan. 13.
Arkansas BCBS has promoted George Burks to vice president of its group market segment, Arkansas Business reported Feb. 20.
From its CEO becoming the first woman elected to chair the Business Council, to the payer being named among the nation's best large employers, here are eight updates about Elevance Health Becker's has reported since Jan. 31:
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield avoided going out of network with Fredericksburg, Va.-based Mary Washington Healthcare as the sides were able to reach a new contract ahead of the March 1 split date.
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.
