1. 4 major Massachusetts health insurers post operating losses
Four of the largest nonprofit health insurers in Massachusetts — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Fallon Health, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan — reported losses in 2015.
2. AHA says Anthem-Cigna merger would boost Blue Cross dominance
In a letter to the Department of Justice, the American Hospital Association said Anthem’s proposed acquisition of Cigna would reduce the ability of other health insurers to compete with Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.
3. Judge rules in Sanford, Sioux Falls hospital contract battle
A circuit judge denied Sioux Falls (S.D.) Specialty Hospital’s request that Sanford Health Plan rewrite its health insurance contracts into a single network plan in keeping with the state’s patient choice law.
4. Aetna CEO reverses opinion, now ‘likes’ ACA exchanges
In early February, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini said his company had “serious concerns about the sustainability of the public exchanges.” But now his thoughts are slightly different.
5. CMS finalizes changes to ACA marketplace: 6 things to know
CMS released a final rule containing standards for health insurers selling coverage through the Affordable Care Act exchanges in 2017.
6. Fitch: Blue Cross hit hard by ACA losses
Fitch Ratings expects the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to report a decline in earnings for 2015.
7. BCBS of NC financially breaks even for 2015
The hottest insurer in headlines as of late due to a system failure — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina — finished 2015 breaking even.
8. Are more ACA insurance co-ops slated for closure?
Republican lawmakers are questioning the long-term viability of eight health insurance co-ops formed under the ACA.
9. BCBS of Michigan has highest earnings decline among nation’s BCBS plans
Twenty-three of the nation’s 35 Blues plans reported a total $1.9 billion decrease in earnings during the first three quarters of 2015, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan was the largest contributor.
10. BCBS of Illinois cuts agent sales commissions
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, the largest health insurer in the state, will no longer offer agents and brokers commissions on individuals health plans.
11. $400M financing values Oscar Health at $2.7B
New York-based health insurance startup Oscar Health closed a $400 million financing round, led by Fidelity Investments, that values the company at $2.7 billion.
More articles on payer issues:
How HMOs are making a comeback
What sumo wrestlers have to do with insurer mega-mergers
Health insurers in the news: Feb. 18-25
