From contract disputes over reimbursement rates to the largest fine in Georgia's history, here are nine recent headlines about Blue Cross Blue Shield companies:
Mississippi insurance chief urges hospital, Blue Cross to end dispute
Mississippi's insurance commissioner urged the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi to resolve their dispute because of the negative impact a split would have on patients. The two have not been in communication since April 1 when the hospital went out of network.
BCBS Minnesota names 4 new executives
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota made four executive leadership appointments April 19. Mark Steffen, MD, has been promoted to senior vice president of medical management and chief medical officer. Julie Loosbrock has joined Blue Cross as senior vice president and chief human resources officer. May Vang has returned to Blue Cross to serve as vice president of treasury and chief investment officer. Alicia Reuter has been promoted to vice president of legal, general counsel and assistant secretary within the legal department.
At least 40% of top execs have left HealthNow New York in last year
Highmark and HealthNow New York completed their affiliation March 1, 2021, and rebranded the affiliates as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York and Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York. Since then, at least 40 percent of the top executives have left Buffalo-based HealthNow. As of April 11, 36 leaders with titles of director and above had left, citing the affiliation deal and its contribution to negative internal changes. Highmark pointed to the ongoing national resignation trend and said no layoffs had occurred.
BCBS Michigan to acquire commercial underwriting company AmeriTrust
Blue Cross Blue Shield subsidiary AF Group will purchase Southfield, Mich.-based AmeriTrust Group for an undisclosed amount to reinforce its position in the property and casualty insurance market.
BCBSA names new vice president of network solutions
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association named Erin Barney vice president of network solutions April 8. She will lead collaboration across the 34 Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to develop, deliver and maintain network programs that fit members' healthcare and will oversee initiatives that deliver high-value products and solutions, measure the quality and cost of programs, and promote value-based care.
BCBS Oklahoma names new president
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma named vice president Stephania Grober as president of the organization, effective May 1. Ms. Grober will replace Joseph Cunningham, MD, who will retire May 1.
Steve Hamman out as president of BCBS Illinois; replacement named
Steve Hamman departed as president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois March 31. It was not confirmed whether Mr. Hamman was fired or resigned, but Blue Cross said he "left HCSC to pursue new endeavors." The departure followed a monthslong contract dispute between BCBS and Springfield (Ill.) Clinic over reimbursement rates. Stephen Harris was named as the payer's new president.
$5M fine against BCBS largest in Georgia history
Georgia's insurance commissioner fined Blue Cross Blue Shield $5 million March 29 for violating state law and agency rules and regulations. It was the largest fine against a payer in the state's history. The move comes after the state received complaints about BCBS from individuals, physicians and hospitals. Issues included improper claims settlement practices, violations of the Prompt Pay Act, failure to reply to consumer complaints in a timely manner, inaccurate provider directories and significant delays in loading provider contracts.
BCBS of Kansas notifies members of data breach
A data breach at a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas subcontractor affected about 2,800 members, the company said March 24. BCBS said it had been recently notified of a breach that occurred several months prior at Morley Companies, which processes member information for the payer. No Social Security or financial information was involved in the breach, and Morley is providing two years of free credit and identity monitoring for those who may have been affected.