Payer

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois launched a new program to financially reward hospitals for reducing their patients' health disparities.

The California Department of Managed Health Care fined Blue Cross of California $1.2 million for delaying coverage authorization for medically necessary services, the department said Oct. 28. 

Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers will all be required to cover a COVID-19 vaccine without any out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries and members, CMS said Oct. 28.

Here are three stories that involved health insurers laying off workers this year:

Here are six recent contract agreements and conflicts between payers and providers: 

Aetna agreed to pay the Office for Civil Rights $1 million to settle three separate HIPAA violations, HHS said Oct. 28. 

Anthem saw its third quarter profit significantly fall as benefit expenses and other costs grew for the health insurer.

Centene Corp. saw its revenue and profit increase in the third quarter of 2020, thanks in part to its acquisition of WellCare Health Plans.

Americans who get their health insurance through Medicare or Medicaid likely won't have to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine, according to Politico, which cites an expected rule from the Trump administration.

UnitedHealthcare is providing some of its members kits that include an antiviral treatment for the seasonal flu, as well as a COVID-19 test, according to The New York Times.