Payer

Kapolei, Hawaii-based 'Ohana Health Plan named Michael McGrath, MD, as the insurer's behavioral health medical director, according to an Aug. 30 press release.

CMS issued new Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program guidance Aug. 30 to increase COVID-19 vaccination and testing. 

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based insurer Priority Health announced Aug. 26 that it will fully cover COVID-19 booster shots. 

Optum is tracking four drugs for recent or potential mid-2021 FDA approval, according to the payer's latest Drug Pipeline Insights Report.

An $80 million grant to 60 organizations will train and certify more than 1,500 new Health Navigators for the 2022 open enrollment period, quadrupling current program numbers.

Here are the 10 largest Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates and their influence within their home states, ranked by membership:

Following early successes of President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion budget blueprint, health lobbyists are pushing back against related proposals to expand Medicare as part of the deal. 

Insurers around the country are gradually reinstating coronavirus-related copays and deductibles, and despite public speculation that payers are looking to cash in, analysts say it could play a key role in encouraging vaccination. 

Here are five recent articles posted by Becker's Hospital Review since Aug. 18 that concern payer-provider relationships.

After a party-line vote in the House of Representatives, President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion social spending bill is still seeing partisan momentum.