Payer

Several policy changes will take effect in 2023, including some of the first provisions of the inflation act. Payers are also bracing for the end of the federal public health emergency, which could leave millions of Medicaid enrollees without coverage. 

Many health plans offer virtual mental health services, which have been in high demand since the pandemic began. But many solutions only identify people when they are symptomatic with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Half of employers who offer retirees health benefits do so through Medicare Advantage plans, up from 26 percent in 2017, according to a report from Kaiser Family Foundation published Dec. 1. 

Rates of "churn" are high among Medicaid recipients who also qualify for Medicare, mostly due to administrative burdens, an analysis published Nov. 30 by Kaiser Family Foundation found. 

From South Dakota voters approving a ballot measure to Georgia moving ahead with a plan with work requirements, here are five recently Medicaid expansion stories reported on by Becker's: 

Many local Medicare Advantage markets are largely controlled by one payer, according to the American Medical Association. 

Experts and advocates say Medicare is not adequately covering substance abuse treatment for older adults, Roll Call reported Nov. 30. 

Humana is projecting at least 100,000 more Medicare Advantage members in 2023 than it originally predicted. 

A three-judge arbitration panel in Florida ruled that UnitedHealthcare must award $10.8 million to a TeamHealth clinician group for underpayments from 2017 to 2020. 

Highmark Health's strong performance in its insurance division this year has offset losses reported Nov. 30 by the healthcare delivery side of its business.