Payer

IBM Watson' s Anita- Nair Hartman discusses a study that reveals payers and providers anticipate consumers as top collaborators in 3 to 5 years. 

Anthem hired former Aetna executive Kathy Martella as vice president and general manager for its large group business in California. 

Health Care Service Corp., the Chicago-based parent of five Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, will shed about 400 mid-management positions, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.  

Saint Francis Healthcare System in Cape Girardeau, Mo., will no longer be in UnitedHealthcare's provider network beginning March 5 after negotiations between the two organizations derailed, according to CBS affiliate KFVS 12 News.

Montana hospitals once owned the second largest insurer in the state behind Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana. While the company succeeded in challenging BCBS, hospital leaders ultimately left the insurance game — and folded their venture into the insurer…

Medicare beneficiaries who are covered through private plans as opposed to fee-for-service alternatives spend about 40 percent less on healthcare, according to a report published by UnitedHealth Group.

Louisiana officials are scrapping multibillion-dollar contracts the state has with insurers to manage its Medicaid program, The Franklin Sun reports.

Advocate Aurora Health has plans to collaborate on a Medicare Advantage policy with a health insurance company owned by three other health systems, the health system said Jan. 21.

WellCare Health Plans and Centene secured all regulatory requirements needed to merge, the organizations said Jan. 23.

The American College of Physicians became the latest medical group to throw its support behind "Medicare for All" and other healthcare reforms, including a public option health plan.