Payer

Payers are implementing utilization management strategies to curb spending on rising specialty drug costs, according to an Oct. 13 panel hosted by the American Journal of Managed Care. 

Centene's Ambetter Health will expand its ACA exchange offerings to Alabama and 60 new counties in 12 states where it already offers plans, the insurer said Oct. 17. 

Nearly a quarter of those 65 and older who chose to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans over traditional Medicare did so because of its additional benefits, according to a survey released Oct. 17 by the Commonwealth Fund. 

As COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to trend downward in most states, payers like UnitedHealth Group are reporting a major boost in profits.

CVS Health was ranked No. 11 on Fortune's Change the World list for its efforts to reduce suicide attempts among Aetna members. 

The Better Medicare Alliance, a national Medicare Advantage research and advocacy group, said the healthcare choices of the 29 million Medicare Advantage beneficiaries "deserve respect and support in Washington," in response to two U.S. representatives' proposal to rename the plans…

Arizona will test Medicaid program initiatives to address housing insecurity, CMS said Oct. 14. 

Michigan has the highest-concentrated commercial drug market in the country, an analysis from the American Medical Association published Oct. 13 found. 

Cigna will offer plans on the ACA Marketplace in 11 Texas counties for 2023, the payer said Oct. 12. 

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will offer a Medicare Advantage plan tailored to veterans in 2023, the Rochester, N.Y.-based payer said Oct. 14.