Payer

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is returning $101 million in premium refunds and rebates to members due to lower healthcare costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Like other big commercial health insurers, Humana's revenue and profit soared in the second quarter of this year. Results were heavily affected by "the significant, temporary deferral of care" brought by stay-at-home orders and other pandemic-related measures.

Missouri residents voted in favor of expanding the state's Medicaid program Aug. 4, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

CMS said Aug. 4 that it will allow health insurers to temporarily lower premiums for members in the individual and small group markets to help Americans who are facing financial hardship amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has affected the role of health insurers as new pressures are placed on the medical and social needs of their members.

As schools decide whether to hold in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent analysis from consumer spending resource ValuePenguin found nearly half a million teachers don't have health insurance.

Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate Regence has data-sharing arrangements with two health systems that aim to better coordinate care between its members and their providers.

To UnitedHealth Group, a "next-generation health system" is one that improves care access, affordability, patient experience and outcomes. 

Molina Healthcare saw significant gains in its revenue and profit in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020 as members deferred care amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

UPMC Pinnacle in Harrisburg, Pa., and Cigna extended their contract through the end of 2021, the organizations said July 30.