Payer

The rate of opioid overdoses and limited medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder for Medicare Part D recipients continues to be a concern, the HHS Office of the Inspector General said in a new report. 

Google is adding new information for users searching for information about Medicare and Medicaid plans as part of the tech giant's health equity initiatives. 

Evernorth Health, Cigna's health services arm, is adding new apps to help plan members manage insomnia, anxiety, alcohol and opioid use disorders and inflammatory conditions. 

The Justice Department charged nine people in southern California Sept. 14 for their involvement in a prostitution ring that billed a union's health plan for sex acts under the guise of chiropractic services and physical therapy.

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill Sept. 14 to reform the Medicare Advantage prior authorization process. 

From Medicare Advantage expansions nationwide to partnerships with providers on health plans, these are eight recent payer moves to enter new markets:

A majority of healthcare executives think value-based-care has replaced fee-for-service billing, a new survey found. 

Sana, a health insurance startup offering plans to small businesses, is expanding to Alabama. 

NextBlue of North Dakota is continuing to expand its Medicare Advantage plans, NBC/FOX affiliate KFYR reported. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina says its value-based care program, Blue Premier, has saved its members close to $500 million over the past three years and improved care outcomes.