Payer

Oscar Health is collaborating with Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare on a new health plan it intends to roll out to 250 of the system's provider locations. 

While less than 1 percent of companies have increased health insurance premiums for employees not vaccinated against COVID-19, 13 percent of all companies have considered an increase — with 20 percent of large companies considering a hike, according to NPR. 

Excellus Health Plan — which includes Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield and Univera Healthcare — is increasing its minimum wage to $18 an hour for all of its 4,000 employees. 

Humana has formed a value-based relationship with Minneapolis-based Allina Health, the insurer announced Nov. 22. 

The American Society of Anesthesiologists issued a statement condemning BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina's alleged abuse of the No Surprises Act to "strongarm" clinicians and practices into network agreements. 

A report from valuepenguin.com anticipates that the 2022 national average for health insurance premiums will be up one percent to $541 monthly. 

Cigna subsidiary Express Scripts named Christine Gilroy, MD, its incoming CMO.

Stephen Tahta, MD, will serve as the new president and general manager of Cigna-owned Allegiance Benefit Plan Management, the Montana-based insurance agency said Nov. 19.

Aetna sued several radiology companies and clinicians Nov. 17, alleging they provided unlicensed services, billed for services they didn't perform and upcoded billing to inflate charges linked to COVID-19 testing.

A petition with over 1,500 physician signatures is calling on HHS to end the CMS Medicare direct contracting program.