Payer

Centene received workforce awards and beat out Optum for a behavioral health contract with Idaho in the past month. 

Payers are using artificial intelligence to speed up administrative processes, improve customer services and analyze data. 

The nation's largest insurers have warned of increasing medical costs next year, driving up medical loss ratios and member premiums. 

UnitedHealthcare is expecting medical costs for its Medicare Advantage members to keep rising, the company's top executives said. 

Optum, UnitedHealth Group's health services arm, is a major player in many corners of the healthcare industry, including pharmacy, primary care and revenue cycle management. 

A California bill aiming to reform the prior authorization process has advanced out of the Assembly health committee, according to the California Medical Association.

More than 2 million people have lost Medicaid coverage during the redetermination process as of July 13, according to KFF's Medicaid enrollment and unwinding tracker. 

More people are using behavioral health services compared to a year ago, UnitedHealth Group executives said. 

Medicare Advantage plans could face mounting pressures in 2024 as medical utilization increases, and payers should prepare for shifts in the market, analysts say. 

Competition between Blue Cross Blue Shield companies is increasing after a 2022 antitrust settlement that struck down some agreements limiting competition between BCBS Association members, according to a July 13 report from Advisory Board.