1. BCBSNC COO resigns amid ongoing technology disaster
Alan Hughes, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina COO, abruptly resigned.
2. Ex-UnitedHealth CEO launches new insurance startup
Robert Sheehy, former CEO of UnitedHealthcare, co-founded a health insurance startup called Bright Health.
3. Independence Blue Cross parent records $54.4M net loss
Independence Health Group, the parent of Independence Blue Cross, reported a net loss of $54.4 million in 2015, down from net income of $69.2 million the year prior.
4. Anthem Blue Cross eyes Medi-Cal expansion, managed-care deal with Adventist Health
Anthem Blue Cross is eyeing a new partnership with Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based Adventist Health and California-based Community Medical Centers in Fresno and Clovis in which it would offer more services to local Medi-Cal patients.
5. Land of Lincoln, UChicago Medicine mend ties
This winter, Chicago-based Land of Lincoln Health — a health insurance co-op — planned to make University of Chicago Medicine out-of-network for its enrollees effective March 1. But now the two organizations have repaired their relationship.
6. Florida OIR approves Anthem’s acquisition of Cigna’s affiliates
As one part of Anthem’s proposed acquisition of Cigna, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation approved Anthem’s request to purchase Cigna’s Florida-based affiliates.
7. Aetna teams up with St. John Health System for accountable care
Aetna and Tulsa, Okla.-based St. John Health System, part of St. Louis-based Ascension, unveiled an accountable care collaboration to launch Aetna Whole Health St. John OKHI in TulsaCounty.
8. Why is there an influx in insurers dropping agent commissions?
Numerous health insurers — including BCBS of Illinois, Oscar Health and UnitedHealthcare — are cutting or altogether eliminating agents’ commissions.
9. Insurers take over Iowa Medicaid: 5 things to know
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s (R) plan to privatize Medicaid in the state has come to fruition. Three private insurers — AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, Amerigroup Iowa and UnitedHealthcare of the River Valley — are now managing Iowa’s $5 billion Medicaid program.
10. Anthem, Dignity partner for new tiered health plan
San Francisco-based Dignity Health and Anthem Blue Cross partnered on a tiered Exclusive Provider Organization/Preferred Provider Organization health plan, which is set to launch in California May 1.
11. BCBS of NC, Carteret Health Care resolve conflict
Despite a lengthy dispute and negotiation process, Morehead, N.C.-based Carteret Health Care and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina came to an agreement.
More articles on payer issues:
Study: Why aren’t more African American, Latino children insured?
MA may not serve sick patients as well as traditional Medicare
Some Connecticut providers want health plans’ data on mental health services
