Payer

The administrative burden of billing and insurance-related activities is a significant one. In 2012, such activities cost the healthcare system approximately $471 billion, according to a study in BMC Health Services Research.

Louisville, Ky.-based health insurer Humana has agreed to pay a $161,800 fine for sending letters containing inaccurate information to approximately 1,600 policyholders in August 2013, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report.

BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, the state's largest health insurer, has come out with an online cost tool that essentially exposes price differences for the same procedure among North Carolina healthcare providers, according to a News Observer report.

Health insurer Aetna and Pittsburgh-based Highmark have resolved their contract dispute concerning Jefferson Hospital in Jefferson Hills, Pa., and signed a two-year contract renewal, according to a TribLIVE report.

More New Jersey insurers are giving patients the ability to talk with physicians via a phone call or video conference regardless of what time it is, according to a New Jersey Spotlight report.

Although medical costs associated with influenza are seasonal, they can marginally affect health plan medical costs, according to Brian Wright, a Stern Agee analyst.

A battle between Blue Shield of California and Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health has prevented the two from entering into a new contract, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

Despite the 2008 mental health parity law, some health plans on state exchanges have not yet leveled access to mental health services to equal physical health coverage, according to Kaiser Health News.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has sent a letter to the CEOs of Pittsburgh-based UPMC and health insurer Highmark Health requiring the two parties to resolve continuity of care issues for Highmark customers, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report.

Five Michigan health organizations that signed innovative, value-based reimbursement contracts with Detroit-based Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan years ago have received their first payouts totaling $25 million, according to a Crain's Detroit Business report.