Payer

Indianapolis-based Anthem said its acquisition of Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna must close by April 30 or Cigna will walk out the next day, the Hartford Courant reported.

Minnetonka, Minn.-base UnitedHealthcare filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office over its exemption from 2017 TRICARE contracts worth $58 billion, according to an emailed statement.

The New York State Department of Financial Services will hold a hearing before issuing a final decision on Anthem's proposed $54 billion acquisition of Cigna, Bloomberg reported.

Aetna, Cigna, Humana and Anthem have released their financial results for the second quarter of 2016.

Humana reported losses related to its Affordable Care Act plans in the second quarter of 2016, but growth in the Louisville, Ky.-based insurer's Medicare Advantage membership provided a financial boost.

Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealthcare awarded $148 million in quality of care bonuses to more than 1,900 physicians who hit specific performance measures while treating Medicare Advantage members.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Mo.) launched an online platform to help policyholders reduce prescription drug costs.

Attorney General George Jepsen said Connecticut will join the U.S. Department of Justice and 11 other state attorneys general in filing an antitrust lawsuit to block a merger between Indianapolis-based Anthem and Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna.

The Bureau of Insurance in Maine reported Community Health Option's June net loss was 19.2 percent worse than anticipated, however its year-to-date net loss was 0.8 percent better than expected.

While Aetna boosted its operating income 8 percent in the second quarter to $783 million, the Hartford, Conn.-based insurer is withdrawing plans to expand its offerings on the 2017 Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges.