Payer

Payers are reporting significant reductions in the volume of claims they receive from providers following the ransomware attack on Optum's Change Healthcare in late February, but the effect on prior authorization processes has been limited.

Twenty-six states now have more than half of their Medicare enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans, according to a March 5 report from Chartis, a healthcare advisory services firm. 

UnitedHealth Group and its Change Healthcare business are facing a proposed class-action lawsuit in the wake of a cyberattack that downed Change's applications, complicating operations at hospitals, physician practices and pharmacies. 

Humana executives said the cyberattack on Change Healthcare is making it harder for payers to gauge their medical expenses, Bloomberg reported March 5. 

Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan, the state's biggest health system, might not accept Cigna Healthcare insurance moving forward if an agreement over contract negotiations cannot be met by March 31.

Centene's canceled East Coast headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., is gaining interest from potential buyers, the Charlotte Business Journal reported March 4. 

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield reported a net loss of $23 million in 2023, its first loss since 2008, NPR affiliate WXXI reported March 4. 

Four Elevance Health Medicare Advantage contracts will have higher 2024 star ratings because CMS updated the original ratings announced in October, according to a March 4 regulatory filing from the payer. 

Ethisphere Institute, a for-profit company that defines and measures corporate ethical standards, released its 2024 list of the "World's Most Ethical Companies," which includes health insurers. 

A federal appellate court will hear arguments March 4 on the Biden administration's appeal of a judge's ruling that struck down an ACA provision that requires insurance companies to provide coverage for preventive services such as certain cancer screenings and…