1. Humana opens its second retail pharmacy in Texas
Louisville, Ky.-based health insurer Humana opened a retail pharmacy in San Antonio, marking its second retail pharmacy in the state of Texas.
2. 150k Highmark enrollees desert plans in 2016
Pittsburgh-based health insurer Highmark’s enrollment both on and off the federal exchanges dropped from 350,000 in February 2015 to 195,000 in February 2016.
3. UnitedHealth creates ‘start-over’ insurer Harken Health
A new health insurer, Harken Health, is making a splash in the Atlanta and Chicago marketplaces.
4. AMA, physicians to Florida AG: Stop the Humana-Aetna merger
Together with the American Medical Association, two Florida organizations — the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association — asked Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to block the proposed merger between Humana and Aetna.
5. Could Humana’s past predict the effects of its merger with Aetna?
For insight on the impact of the proposed merger between Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna and Louisville, Ky.-based Humana, it may be helpful to look at one of Humana’s previous transactions.
6. CMS fines Humana $3.1M for Medicare violations
CMS charged Louisville, Ky.-based health insurer Humana $3.1 million for areas of noncompliance regarding its Medicare Part C and D plans.
7. BCBS of Michigan lays off 22 workers
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan laid off 22 employees in its IT department.
8. Hazel Hawkins, Aetna fail to reach reimbursement agreement
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, Calif., and Aetna severed ties after failing to resolve reimbursement disputes at the beginning of the year.
9. United, Tennova Healthcare hospital break over reimbursement rates
After a year spent in negotiations, UnitedHealthcare members will continue to receive in-network rates for medical services at six Tennova Healthcare hospitals in Knoxville, Tenn. A single Tennova hospital in Harton, Tenn., however, is excluded from the deal.
10. How much did Humana’s CEO make in 2015?
Louisville, Ky.-based Humana president and CEO Bruce Broussard’s total earnings increased 1.98 percent between 2014 and 2015.
11. NC insurance commissioner: BCBS could be fined up to $1k per day per violation
In February, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin began an investigation of Durham, N.C.-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and the systematic problems it has had since early this year. Now Mr. Goodwin is planning on financially penalizing the insurer.
More articles on payer issues:
Health insurers in the news: March 3-10
HealthCare.gov CEO says marketplace is ‘maturing’
Tenet, Health Net fined over Medicare Advantage mistakes: 11 things to know
