Payer

Low vaccination rates for human papillomavirus infection fell even more during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to claims data from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Cigna asked a New Jersey federal court to end a lawsuit filed by a radiology lab that claims the health insurer wrongfully denied payment for COVID-19 services, according to court documents and Law 360.

Evernorth, Cigna's health services business, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire telehealth company MDLive, the companies said Feb. 26.

Here are eight recent contract agreements or conflicts between payers, providers and employers:

The following payer executive changes were announced in February:

White men occupied 89 percent of board seats in payer organizations in 2018, according to a study from the Leverage Network, an organization that promotes Black leadership.

Four commercial payers were among 135 companies identified as the "World's Most Ethical" for 2021 by the Ethisphere Institute, a company that defines and measures corporate ethical standards.

The New York State Department of Financial Services approved an affiliation between Pittsburgh-based Highmark Health and Buffalo-based HealthNow New York, according to a Feb. 24 news release.

Six health insurers were named to Forbes' annual list of "America's best large employers."

Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma is protesting the selection of four other private insurers to manage Oklahoma's Medicaid program, according to The Frontier.